Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water, no-sugar-added juices, clear broth, and hot tea. These fluids will help to thin out mucus and help to drain it from irritated sinuses. Avoid drinking alcohol, caffeine, and sugary beverages, as well as from smoking. All of these substances will dehydrate your system causing mucus to thicken and clog already inflamed airways.
Dissolve Excess Mucus
Spicy foods such as cayenne pepper or horseradish can be mixed with apple cider vinegar and lemon juice to create a mucus dissolving elixir.
Pressure Point Activation
For temporary relief of closed nasal passages when none of these other options are available to you, try a quick face massage. These seven quick steps take less than two minutes to perform and, when done correctly, will allow you to breathe more easily.
Steam Inhalation
Break up thick mucus with a few drops of Eucalyptus or Peppermint oil in hot water. With your face down over the water, drape a towel over the back of your head and inhale the steam.
This also works with a few drops of either oil added to the water in a humidifier. Some of these machines actually have a small tank included for just such a thing.