Anyone who has ever experienced a headache (according to some estimates, headaches affect 90% of the population) knows that they may vary from irritating to debilitating. The most common variety is a tension headache, which is characterized by a mild, tightening sensation around your head and is frequently induced by holding your neck in a tight posture.
Migraines, on the other hand, are both severe and recurrent. In most cases, they should be treated by a neurologist with the help of medications. However, some home remedies can make migraines less debilitating. In this article, we have gathered 10 tips on how to ease a headache at home.
1. Drink a lot of water
Insufficient water consumption may result in a headache. Tension headaches and migraines are frequently caused by chronic dehydration. Inadequate hydration can decrease attention and increase irritation, exacerbating your symptoms. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and eat water-rich meals to avoid headaches.
2. Undergo massage treatment
Massages may appear to be expensive, but they are also extremely beneficial. Headaches can be caused by upper-body tension caused by muscle strain from poor posture or a strenuous training program. Massage treatment may be able to alleviate chronic pain and muscular tension that causes headaches.
3. Sleep
Sleeping for 7 to 8 hours per night is another great approach to relieve and avoid headaches. Sleep deprivation can affect your healthy lifestyle and contribute to a variety of health issues. You may be stressed as a result of disrupted sleep, which may be the cause of your hurting head.
4. Do yoga
Some research compares standard migraine therapy to regular yoga practice. The researchers discovered that the yoga group had better alleviation than the standard therapy group. According to a 2022 review, short-term yoga therapies improved clinical migraine symptoms. It also reduced anxiety, depression, and stress, all of which can aggravate headaches.
5. Eat more often
If you haven’t eaten in a while, your hurting or foggy sensation might be due to low blood sugar. According to some studies, meals high in magnesium, such as spinach, tofu, olive oil, as well as sunflower or pumpkin seeds, may be especially beneficial. In general, eating small meals throughout the day is preferable to three large ones.
6. Take vitamins and supplements
Many vitamins, supplements, and herbal therapies can help to relieve or prevent headaches. The most effective of them are riboflavin, coenzyme Q10, chamomile, feverfew, and magnesium. These home remedies cure headaches by increasing blood circulation, functioning as an anti-inflammatory, increasing oxygen to your tissues, giving muscular relaxation, or delivering immediate pain relief.
7. Use heat or cold remedies
Migraines can be relieved by applying heat or cold. A frozen neck wrap greatly decreased discomfort when given at the outset of a migraine. Placing a heating pad on your head or neck may also help to relax your muscles, reducing tension and migraine symptoms.
8. Take a hot shower
When it comes to topical headache remedies, most people choose cold over heat, but a hot shower may be precisely what you need. If your headache is caused by a cold or sinus pressure, the moist, warm air might also help clear your nasal passages.
9. Apply peppermint essential oil
Some people use peppermint essential oil topically to the skin to relieve tension headaches. Because it contains menthol, which is known for its cooling and numbing properties, some people rub peppermint oil onto their foreheads and/or temples to relieve headaches.
10. Stop smoking
Cigarettes, cigars, and secondhand smoke include nicotine, which can lead to headaches, particularly migraines and cluster headaches. This is because the chemical causes blood vessels to constrict and lowers the blood supply to the brain, resulting in a headache. Quitting smoking or avoiding smoky environments can help to alleviate the headache.
