Nasal congestion can make breathing uncomfortable and disrupt sleep, especially during a cold or allergy season. Surprisingly, light physical activity such as walking or gentle exercise may actually help relieve a blocked or stuffy nose temporarily by improving airflow in the nasal passages.
During exercise, the body increases heart rate and activates the sympathetic nervous system. This process can cause the blood vessels in the nasal passages to constrict slightly, which reduces swelling and allows air to move more freely through the nose.