[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Anyone who’s ever had a bad
headache knows they can be a real pain – literally. Whether you suffer from headaches infrequently or regularly, knowing how to prevent and relieve headaches quickly can help you ditch the pain and get on with your life.
For effective headache relief, you need to know what’s causing your headache. Some headaches come from muscle tension, while others may stem from sinus pressure related to allergies. Others may simply result from dehydration. Figuring out
why your head hurts will help you find the best ways to make your headache go away or even prevent headaches from happening in the first place.
How to Get Rid of a Headache
Here’s what to know about the causes of headaches and how to find natural relief.
Hydrate for a happier head
Headaches can often be an effect of
dehydration, so making sure to
stay well hydrated can help you avoid getting this type of headache. Sip
herbal teas rich in anti-inflammatory compounds to launch a two-prong attack on your headache if you think it may come from dehydration.
If you have
trouble drinking enough water, focus on eating more water-rich foods like
watermelon and
cucumber, or consider adding some appealing flavor to your water with fresh herbs or
drink mixes.
Mind your magnesium
Magnesium deficiency may increase the likelihood of migraines, while
correcting magnesium levels may make other types of headache less likely as well.
Getting more magnesium in your diet through
high-magnesium foods like
pumpkin seeds, spinach, and
chia seeds can help to prevent headaches caused by low magnesium levels.
Magnesium taken in through your skin may get absorbed more readily, so consider a magnesium-rich
epsom-salt bath or an easy-to-use
magnesium lotion or
spray.
Tame the tension
Does your headache show up along with tension in your neck and shoulders? A tension headache can be a literal pain in the neck!
The best remedy for a tension headache? ‘Head off’ the source of tension
before it turns into a headache. If
stress is the culprit, try some quick
stress-relief techniques to keep tense muscles from giving you a headache.
Bad posture can also lead to muscle tension, so working to
improve posture can also help head off headache-provoking tension.
If
sitting is part of the reason you’re experiencing muscle tension, whether at your desk or
in your car, be sure to move often and consider trying a
standing work station.
Exercises you do at your desk,
neck stretches, yoga and
breathwork can help to alleviate muscle tension as well. Try these
yoga poses targeting headache relief.
A physical therapist can also help you find ways to sit and stand that don’t cause tension and may address muscle imbalances that can lead to posture-induced tension.
Acupuncture or a good
massage may also help relax the muscles causing your headache. If booking a professional rubdown isn’t in the cards, you can
give yourself a relaxing massage at home or use a
gua sha tool to relieve tense muscles.
Acupressure points might also help.
Heat is also a valuable tool for relieving muscle tension. Try place a heating pad on tense areas, or enjoy a long soak in a hot bath. Add magnesium-rich
epsom salts to your bath for extra relief.
Check for TMJ
One common cause of tension in the neck and head is TMJ or TMD (temporomandibular joint dysfunction). If you notice that your jaw muscles seem tight and suspect they’re contributing to your headaches, you should see a TMD specialist to address the problem. In addition to advising you on lifestyle choices that can minimize TMJ tension, they may fit you with an oral appliance that can protect your teeth and jaw from the ravages of nighttime clenching and may also help prevent TMJ-induced headaches.
Some of the ways to relieve tension in the jaw include
stress reduction, gentle massage, exercises, avoiding crunchy foods, and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
Stop sinus pressure
If you suffer from allergies, you may find that in addition to a runny nose and itchy eyes, you get headaches from sinus pressure. Alleviating that pressure may relieve a sinus headache.
Try using a
neti pot to clear up congestion, or consider some
natural remedies for allergies. A number of
natural allergy products target
sinus congestion. A steam with peppermint or eucalyptus may also help clear out congested sinuses.
Moderate a migraine
If you suffer from
migraine headaches, a number of natural approaches may help, including acupuncture and
yoga.
Dietary tweaks may help migraines as well. Try to avoid common triggers like red wine, chocolate, aged cheeses, and artificial sweeteners, and eat more fatty fish, like
salmon.
One easy natural way to get relief from migraines is by placing a cool compress on your forehead or neck. Studies also suggest that
inhaling lavender oil may help migraines, while massaging with lavender oil may simultaneously soothe neck tension. Chamomile essential oil has also been
studied for its effect on migraines.
You can also try
homeopathic remedies targeting migraines.
Soothe with essential oils
One of the most-recommended
essential oils for headache relief is peppermint. To use, massage a few drops of diluted
peppermint oil into your temples and forehead, or try a balm or
roll on. A convenient
headache relief stick with lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, and other oils makes it easy to take these head-soothing essential oils with you anywhere.
Other essential oil blends to consider target muscle tension like a
roll on with peppermint and clove. You can also make your own
headache relieve salve using essential oils.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title="Featured Products" border_width="2"][vc_row_inner equal_height="yes" content_placement="middle" gap="35"][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="168916" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1695480626996{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/hylands-migraine-relief"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="168914" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1695480647187{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/badger-aromatherapy-headache-soother"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="168915" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1695480668627{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/native-remedies-migraine-ease"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]
