We have all had a headache at least once in our lives.
And if you have, you know they are not fun.
In fact, they can be absolutely unbearable for some.
Of course there are ample products out there designed to help headaches and the symptoms that come with them. But many are full of ingredients that can be very harmful to us. And long term use can be damaging to us.
Some negative effects of taking NSAIDS for pain (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are gastrointestinal issues, allergic reactions, bloating, gas, kidney or liver issues, high blood pressure, and ulcers. Now why would we pump our bodies full of something that could cause such terrible reactions?
We want relief, but there is a better way. More natural ways. And even better- they can be done at home with everything you need at your disposal.
Here are 10 ways to get rid of that pesky headache at home today!
1. Water
Hydration, hydration, hydration! Water is a key element to many ailments, especially headaches. If we are not getting enough water throughout the day, our bodies become dehydrated and we can get headaches, become irritable and even have trouble concentrating.
If you feel a headache coming on, you may just need some water. Some find drinking a glass of water (at least 8 ounces) will help their headaches within an hour’s time, faster than most NSAIDS.
A great idea to start your day is even drinking a glass of water once you wake up. This will get your day off on a good foot by immediately hydrating yourself. Bottoms up!
2. Caffeine- friend or foe?
Caffeine is known to assist with our moods and energy levels, and can even help us with a headache. You may be thinking that seems crazy that caffeine of all things could help with a headache, but it’s true! constricts blood vessels which can have a positive effect on headache symptoms.
BUT that being said, caffeine withdrawal has also been shown to cause headaches if a person regularly consumes large amounts of caffeine and suddenly stops, so caffeine should always be consumed with that in mind as it can affect people differently depending on their regularity of consumption.
3. Cold Compress
Applying a cold compress or cold cloth to your head may help reduce inflammation and is said to help slow nerve conduction and also helps to constrict blood vessels. Lying down with an ice pack or cold cloth over your eyes is a great and effective way to reduce your headache ailment- while also relaxing. Win win!
4. Try Yoga or Other Exercises
Yoga is known to be a wonderful stress reliever. It can also improve flexibility, build muscle, promote higher energy levels and decrease pain. Feeling more relaxed and stress free is a great way to help prevent a headache.
Regular exercise is crucial for our overall health. Physical activity has always been a well known treatment for headaches. Keep your body in motion!
5. Ginger Tea
Ginger has been used for centuries for many wellness benefits, such as headaches and migraines.
A common symptom that comes with headaches and migraines, is nausea, which ginger is widely used to target. Ginger contains many elements that have been known to have anti-inflammatory properties which can help reduce headache pains.
It can be taken in many forms but the best and most soothing option for a headache, would be sipping on a nice hot cup of ginger tea.
6. Limit Alcohol Consumption
We all want to unwind after a hard day, or celebrate on the weekend. But limiting alcohol consumption can be key to preventing a headache.
Many find that too much alcohol can cause a headache. Especially if you had a little too much the night before, the next morning may make you feel a little rough. If you are prone to headaches, making sure you are consuming little amounts of alcohol at a time will help prevent that headache from sneaking in.
7. Get A Proper Night’s Sleep
We need sleep to function at our best.
Getting a proper night’s sleep will help prevent headaches and keep your body performing at its best. When we don’t get enough sleep, we feel drained. Lack of sleep affects us in many ways, from low energy to physical symptoms such as headaches.
Ensuring we are getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night will help keep our body feeling rested and prepared to take on the next day. It will keep our bodies and mind feeling reenergized.
8. Turn Down The Lights
When you have a headache, you become very sensitive to light. Keeping light dim and even reducing the light on your computer will help with that sensitivity. Many sufferers from a headache need to use a blue light filter on their computer so a headache doesn’t plague them when they are working.
If you feel a headache coming on, turn down the lights and let your eyes rest.
9. Acupressure
Applying pressure to your head is a great way to relieve a headache or migraine as it helps ease our tension and relaxes our muscles.
Using your index and middle fingers, apply pressure to your temple, back of the neck and even between the eyes, while applying a slow circling motion. These are key pressure points where we most often feel tension. You can do this in 10-20 second intervals and repeat until you start to feel the tension release.
10. De-Stress (meditation)
Meditation is widely used for de-stressing calming the nerves, much like yoga. However meditation allows you to sit in one spot and just focus on yourself. 30 minutes of meditation can help your body relax and melt away any tension.
The American Migraine Foundation states that meditation may actually work to inhibit the part of the nervous system responsible for stress. Frequent migraine attacks can be triggered by or aggravated by stress, tension, and anxiety, and mind-body techniques like meditation may relieve headaches by alleviating underlying stress.
There you have it.
10 simple, effective and drug free ways you can help your headache all while in the comfort of your own home.
Say goodbye to those pain meds and try one of these today. You have nothing to lose, except for the pain!
Resources:
https://www.webmd.com/arthritis/features/pain-relief-how-nsaids-work
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5655397/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3727573/
https://migraine.com/migraine-treatment/natural-remedies/ginger-for-migraine-headaches/
