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Actually, during strenuous activity, breathing through the nose is the best method to get the maximum amount of oxygen into the lungs.

Even when it's full of mucus? But seriously, how can the nose be the best method to get the maximum amount of oxygen? The mouth is a bigger passageway.

The mouth is a bigger passageway.

But, the mouth is designed to unload into two different organs (stomach and lungs); however, the nose is designed as the express lane to the lungs. Also, when breathing through the mouth, a portion of your oxygen passes into the stomach and therefore you get less air into the lungs, even though overall it is a larger access point. And, if you get too much air into the stomach, it can cause you to puke up - as you have probably seen at the Olympics and other sporting events - these athletes were the ones breathing through their mouths!

Even when it's full of mucus?

Well, if you have ever gone on a three mile run with a stopped up nose, you know that very shortly into the exercise, your nose starts to run (unclog) and usually will completely clear up by the time you are done. It is the ULTIMATE antihistamine - LOL! Although, it will quickly refill if you have a cold or allergies - all you have to do is RUN everywhere and it will clear right back up - LOL!