You might constantly find yourself suffering from headaches. Headaches can be extremely uncomfortable for everyone. On top of that, it can also be disruptive to your daily tasks. From school works to office tasks, suffering from headaches can hindrance you from getting work done. Headaches are a very common condition almost everyone experiences.
Despite headaches being common, they can still be a cause of neurological conditions that need to be addressed. What makes this manageable is also knowing how to handle them and treat them in the comfort of your home. This way, you no longer have to deal with headaches in a defeated manner.
So, how do you treat headaches at home? Here are some simple ways to follow:
Get Some Rest
Stress management teaches you ways to cope with stressful situations. Relaxation techniques are helpful in managing stress. You use deep breathing, muscle relaxation, mental images, and music to ease your tension.
Another good way to rest is through sleeping. A good sleep routine is important for overall good health. A lack of sleep can induce headaches or make an existing headache chronic in some people. Some studies also show that sleeping longer than usual may cause tension headaches to occur or become worse.
Finally, one of the most common symptoms associated with Computer Vision Syndrome or Digital Eye Strain is headaches. Whether it’s a computer, cell phone, or tablet, just scrolling up and down can trigger headaches in some people. To prevent discomfort, follow the 20-20-20 rule: Take a 20-second break to view something 20 feet away every 20 minutes.
Eat Healthily
There are many aspects of diet and nutrition that could be related to headaches. For some people, foods with certain additives or ingredients are a trigger such as chocolate or some types of cheese. For others, it may be alcohol, especially red wine.
Still, others do not drink enough water and have headaches caused by dehydration. Food allergies or sensitivities can also play a role. Consider eliminating food or drink that you suspect to be key triggers from your diet one at a time in order to find the culprit.
In general, keep in mind the importance of eating clean and nutritious meals, getting regular exercise, and staying hydrated. Even simple changes can be a game-changer when it comes to headache prevention.
Be Physically Active
One of the simplest ways to reduce headache frequency and severity is to engage in physical activity. For example, one study in 91 people found 40 minutes of indoor cycling three times per week was more effective than relaxation techniques at reducing headache frequency.
Another large study including more than 92,000 people showed that a low level of physical activity was clearly associated with an increased risk of headaches. There are many ways to increase your activity level, but one of the easiest methods is to simply increase the number of steps you take throughout the day.
Go For Natural Remedies
Aromatherapy that uses some essential oils may also relieve symptoms of a headache. A 2018 review in Children noted that inhaling lavender essential oil for 15 minutes reduced the severity of headaches, according to one study.
Another study suggested that peppermint oil is more effective at reducing tension headaches than a placebo. The smells of essential oils may bother some people, and experimenting with different oils that individuals find relaxing may be a way to ease headache symptoms.
Another way to treat headaches naturally is through heat therapy. In some people, headaches may be caused by constriction of blood vessels and can be relieved by placing a heat pack on the back of the neck.
Taking a hot shower may also help in relieving pain while also providing a relaxed feeling. When applying heat therapy, limit applications to 15 minutes with at least 2 hours of rest in between to prevent skin damage.
Identify Triggers
Not only can a journal help you track symptoms that signal the onset of a headache or migraine, but it may also reveal the foods and drinks that trigger them. The specific culprits can vary from patient to patient, but aged cheeses, MSG-containing foods, and artificial sweeteners are a few common ones. Dark alcohols like red wine, whiskey, bourbon are also more likely to cause migraines than white wine, gin, or vodka.
The key to preventing headaches is figuring out what triggers them. Triggers are very specific to each person — what gives you a headache may not be a problem for others. Once you determine your triggers, you can avoid or minimize them.
Key Takeaway
Anyone who’s experienced the splitting pain of a bad headache or migraine attack knows how difficult it can be to work, drive, or even carry on a conversation while your head is pounding. This is why it is important to know how you can treat your headaches at home so you will be able to be more productive despite them. From resting to identifying the triggers, combatting headaches at home is simpler than you might think of.
