How Can I Stop Sneezing Loudly?
While you can't completely control the force of a sneeze, as it's largely determined by your lung capacity and respiratory system (as noted by ABC News), you can influence how loud it sounds. The loudness primarily depends on how the air is expelled.
- Sneeze through your nose: While this might result in a "wetter, messier" sneeze, it will be quieter than sneezing through your mouth (as stated in the September 10, 2019 article). Pinching and rubbing your nose may also help.
- Control your air expulsion: The volume of a sneeze is directly related to the amount of air expelled. While you can't stop the sneeze reflex, consciously trying to reduce the air intake before the sneeze might lessen its force and volume.
- Muzzle the sound: If you anticipate a loud sneeze, try to gently muffle the sound by sneezing into your elbow or shoulder, or covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or your hand. This won't reduce the force, but it will dampen the sound considerably.
Important Note: Some sources suggest that techniques like controlling the glottis (the opening between your vocal cords) can help. However, these methods require practice and might not be effective for everyone.
It's crucial to remember that the reflex of sneezing is involuntary, and attempting to suppress it completely might be harmful. The focus should be on mitigating the sound rather than stopping the sneeze entirely.
Understanding the Sneeze
The sound of a sneeze arises from air forcefully escaping your mouth or nose. The more air involved, the louder the sneeze will be. Factors like diaphragm size also contribute, as mentioned in the Reddit thread on loud sneezing.
