couple sleeping

Snoring is a common problem that can cause you or your partner to lose valuable hours of sleep. Before long, your lack of sleep can start to negatively affect your relationships, your ability to focus in the office, or even your overall health. Do you want to stop snoring? Snore no more with one of these simple snoring remedies.

What Causes Snoring?

Snoring occurs when air has to go through a very small passageway in the back of your mouth and nose. To fit through this small passageway, the air has to be pushed through forcefully. This forceful air then vibrates the spot where your upper throat and tongue touch your soft palate — these vibrations are what we call snoring.

Have you tried these remedies? Share your experience »

Is Snoring Serious?

If snoring is accompanied with gasps for air or brief pauses in breathing, then it might be a sign of something more serious. It could mean that you have a serious form of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can affect your heart health. If you are suspicious that you or your partner has sleep apnea, you should talk with your doctor.

Usually, snoring alone is not considered serious, and it’s possible for you to lessen or cure your snoring with a simple remedy. Which natural remedy will you try first?

1. Pick a Side to Fight Snoring

One simple remedy to stop snoring is to sleep on your side. You are more likely to snore if you sleep on your back. If you are used to sleeping on your back, train your body to stay on its side by sleeping with a body pillow. Or you can buy a special positional-therapy pillow that will make sleeping on your side much more comfortable. 

2. Snuff Out Snoring Habits

Nasal congestion only makes snoring worse. A humidifier or nasal spray can help clear out your system a little, allowing for air to travel through more easily while you sleep. If you have allergies, try to clean your bedroom and sheets often to reduce allergens.

3. Less Alcohol, More Zzz’s

Drinking alcohol relaxes your muscles, including your throat muscles. When these are relaxed, they will vibrate even more. This can put you at greater risk for obstructive sleep apnea, causing or worsening your snoring. One quick fix for your snoring could simply be to avoid drinking alcohol too soon before bedtime.

4. An Exercise a Day

Did you know that there are strengthening exercises for your mouth and throat? A 2014 study showed that daily oropharyngeal exercises can tighten your tongue and throat muscles, which can keep noisy vibration to a minimum.

5. Lose Weight

Your whole body is connected. So if you are having problems with loud snoring, it may mean that there are other parts of your body that need attention. While there is no proven link between obesity and snoring, many experts consider weight loss to at least have potential in fighting obstructive sleep apnea. For overweight people, losing some weight may be all that you need.

Snoring Summary

At first, snoring may seem like just a silly irritation. But after a while, it might start to trigger a lot of other problems in your life. While there are many snoring medications and even surgeries available, a simple remedy is a great place to start. Stop snoring with one of these natural solutions.