6 Ways to Get Rid of a Headache Without Medicine
Headaches and migraines come to affect most of us during some times of our lives.
By now we all know that it’s not ideal to always be taking pills and if natural can offer us some natural cures, why not take advantage of them. We’ll talk exactly about those natural headache remedies and see how they work on making our health state better.
Best natural remedies for headaches
We always have the option of popping some ibuprofen, aspirin, acetaminophen, or any number of over-the-counter medications to get rid of some nasty headaches, but the trouble with that is that reaching for the pill bottle more than twice per week can actually make your head pounding worse.
Always remember that just because you can get it over the counter, without any prescription does not mean it won’t do you any harm. Overusing any type of medication is going to do you a whole lot of damage by becoming resistant to that certain treatment.
Even if you find that a number of at home remedies can be of some real help, just remember that if you’re experiencing headaches more than once per week then you should definitely seek some professional help.
With that in mind, here’s what you can do at home to prevent and reduce headaches.
Stay well hydrated
First and foremost, there’s no way around this. Water plays a vital role in our health state. It helps our brains stay sharp and basically it makes sure that our whole body is functioning properly.
But when it comes to migraines, maybe you had no idea but dehydration can act as a trigger, so make sure you’re sipping enough water.
Most of us need to drink at least 2 liters daily and that number goes up when you factor in heat, sweat, medications, and humidity shifts.
Keep stress levels in check
A progressive muscle relaxation exercise can help unclench the tension in the muscles that may act as a contributing factor for a headache.
Some techniques of mindfulness like guided imagery may also help you take your mind off the pain.
Check for food intolerance
Sometimes food intolerances may be the underlying cause of symptoms such as a headache.
If a headache seems to show up after meals, it may be helpful for people to keep a food journal of everything they eat each day. This may enable them to identify and avoid any foods that could trigger a headache.
Get enough rest
In order to prevent migraines, patients who suffer from these chronic aches are recommended to follow the mnemonic SEEDS: sleep, eating, exercise, drinking, and stress reduction. Sleeping too much or too little can induce migraines, but keeping a more regular routine can help with occasional headaches, too.
Tension-type headaches are different in the sense that they’re not as severe, like they don’t induce any vomiting, nausea or sensitivities but those healthy lifestyle tips work for any type.”
In any case, that means avoiding sleeping in on weekends or vacations and sticking to a consistent bedtime and wake time.
Exercise regularly
It may seem like a bad idea, to be working out with a pounding head but it seems like exercise can actually help because it releases endorphins, which are natural pain killers.
Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise for week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services advises. That can include walking, swimming, biking, jogging, or your favorite heart-pumping class at the gym.