Why One Side of Your Nose Always Feels More Congested Than the Other
And why it’s not always the same side
The other day I tried to meditate. I put my headphones on, opened the meditation app, pressed play, and began to listen to the soothing voice: “Welcome to this guided meditation. Make yourself comfortable. Keep an upright posture and relax.”
I configured my facial muscles into a relaxed smile and sighed: “Ahh…”
“Now close your eyes and take a deep breath in through your nose,” the voice continued. I complied and took a deep breath in — through my left nostril?! “Huh?” I thought, “That’s weird. Why is all the air just coming through one side of my nose?”
“Exhale…” the voice continued.
“Seriously, what’s up with my nose?”
“Inhale…”
“Helloooooooooo? Right nostril?” I tapped on it, but with no effect.
“Exhale…”
“Jeez…. How am I supposed to meditate if only half my nose is working?!”
At first I wondered whether it’s just me. Could I still have that crayon stuck in my nose from back when I was a toddler? But no, that can’t be it. My two nostrils are taking turns. Surely there isn’t a crayon shifting from the left to the right side of my nose and…
