With respiratory illnesses on the rise, many people are dealing with persistent coughs that just won’t go away.

A common cold caused by a virus usually runs its course in about a week if your immune system is strong and there are no complications. Symptoms tend to peak around days 2–3, leaving you feeling drained, but they generally improve on their own. However, a lingering cough can last for another week before fully disappearing.

Coughing is your body’s natural way of clearing mucus and irritants from the airways. Mucus traps dead cells, bacteria, and viruses, but if it sits in the lungs too long, it can make breathing harder and create an environment where infections thrive. This is why it’s important to clear out mucus effectively, especially for those at risk of complications.

Here are three simple lung-cleansing techniques you can try at home to help remove mucus and breathe easier:

1. Controlled Breathing and Coughing

Sit upright in a chair or on your bed with your feet flat on the floor. Place your hands on your abdomen and take a deep breath in through your nose. As you exhale through your mouth, cough gently.