In today’s busy environment, headaches are a common predicament for people. Whether it’s only a mild one to a severe and unbearable one, it always disrupts how we perform and work on a daily basis.
Headaches, depending on the underlying cause, can take several forms, with tension headaches, cluster headache and migraine being the most common ones.
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While there are plenty of over-the-counter painkillers, there are many natural methods that are common and simple that can help ease your headache pain.
We have prepared a list of home and natural remedies for headaches to help you alleviate the pain without the use of medication. Some of them might even be a solution to prevent yourself from having repetitive headaches for good.
Drink enough water and always be hydrated!
One possible underlying cause of a headache is dehydration. Being dehydrated can impair your concentration and alter how you think and function. Thankfully, water can help make someone feel better in this situation.
Simply drinking enough water and eating foods high in liquid, such as fruits, smoothies, or soups can immediately relieve your headache and reduce its severity. So, do not forget to bring your water bottles and stay hydrated all the time!
Warm/cold compress for better blood circulation
If you are experiencing migraines, a cold pack on your head would help. You can improvise by using ice cubes wrapped in a tower or a refrigerated towel. Just to be sure to limit the application to no more than 10 minutes to avoid hurting your skin.
In case the cause is a tension headache, a warm compress will be better to smooth muscle tightness and allow for improved blood circulation. Using a warm towel or having a hot shower will do.
Don’t put any pressure on your head!
Fan of headbands or tight ponytails? This could be the physical reason for your headache. If your head starts hurting, try loosening or removing your tight ponytail or bun. If you’re wearing a headband or a hat for too long, remove it to alleviate the pain.
One study has shown that some women claim that their headaches disappear when they loosened their hair. So, try to loosen your ponytail or bun and see if it helps.
Turn down the lights
Most people who suffer from frequent migraines are sensitive to bright flickering light. Exposure to computers and smartphones could even make the pain worse, especially when you’re working in an office.
A simple solution to prevent such is to use anti-radiation glasses when using computers and sunglasses when outdoors. To recover from a headache, cover your windows and try to rest in a dark dimly lit room. The pain will disappear while in the dark.
Relax and sip a tea
Herb teas such as peppermint, chamomile, and lavender would help make you feel calm with its pleasing aroma and make you feel better. Ginger tea and ginger powder have been even proven effective at treating migraines.
Adding herbal tea to your diet may be useful for adding more water to your body while having benefits of the natural compounds. A simple warm tea could keep your headaches away!
Exercise daily to keep headaches away
Exercises such as jogging and yoga are excellent ways to not only relieve stress but also to increase flexibility and improve overall health. Regular to moderate exercise such as brisk walking or jogging for at least 30 minutes per day reduces the chances of a headache showing up. Keep your body busy and start a healthy lifestyle.
Get adequate sleep
It’s quite interesting that not only does sleep deprivation can cause headaches but oversleeping does as well. Sleep problems in general, including not sleeping soundly, may lead to headaches as the body has not fully rested.
Adequate sleep means between 7 and 9 hours of sound sleep each night. So if you don’t want to have a frequent headache, skip those sleepless nights.
Try any of these tips and check which one works best for you on getting rid of your headaches. However, if your headaches still don’t respond to these methods, its best to take an over-the-counter drug, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen or naproxen for relief or consult your doctor in case of persistent severe headaches.