I've read about this in a few places over the last few days (originally reported here) but I am still just fascinated by it. Apparently, blowing your nose when you're stuffed up isn't all that advisable.

Here's why: Turns out, when you give a good blow into your tissue, you actually generate enough force to propel mucus back up into the sinuses, which may cause further congestion or infection.

Luckily there's a better way to blow so that you don't cause such a pressure build-up: you just give a good honk one nostril at a time. But is that really as satisfying when you're down-and-out with a cold, feel like you can't breathe, and just want a release?

When you couple this with the 'new' way the CDC advises we sneeze or cough (into the crook of an elbow or sleeve instead of our hands), it's a whole new way dealing with being sick!