Many problems of modern life deserve talking about, but none is as common and annoying as headaches. They are inevitable, and what’s worse – unpredictable. They also have great timing, so they’ll strike in the most inopportune of moments. For example, a headache will come at an important business meeting, or while you’re arguing with your significant other about something of great importance, stopping you from reaching your full potential in the situation.
What can you do about it? Well, there are some things you can try. Here’s how to make a headache go away.
1. Drown Your Headache
Dehydration may cause headaches, so the first thing you should try is drinking plenty of water. It’s not unusual – people tend to forget about water during the day. The lack of hydration causes more than a simple headache, though. It makes you unfocused and it hinders your productivity – and those are just the first symptoms.
Make sure you always have a bottle of water with you. This will make you much less likely to simply forget about drinking it, and reduce the likelihood of dehydration significantly.
2. Drown It in Coffee
It doesn’t have to be coffee, but anything with caffeine will probably help you, or at least provide some relief.
When caffeine enters your system, your mood, alertness, and focus go up. Your blood vessels constrict, which increases your blood pressure.
Now, here’s the tricky part – caffeine can help relieve your headache. However, too much caffeine can cause a headache. Therefore, you’ll need to be mindful of how much coffee you drink in a day. Too little won’t do the trick, but too much will cause the opposite effect.
3. Take a Chill Pill
Many times, a headache happens as your body’s response to a stressful situation. That’s why removing yourself from the situation and trying to relax might help reduce the pain.
Research has shown that patients who suffer from frequent headaches benefit greatly from doing yoga. If you practice it for three months, you’ll probably notice that your headaches are less frequent and less severe.
Of course, yoga is not the only way to relax. Try meditation or simply lying down and listening to your favorite music or reading a good book. If your headache is the result of stress, it should pass in no time. If it’s not, you should still feel loads better, so there’s nothing to lose.
4. Check the lights
When you have a headache, a strong, glaring light is likely to make it worse. Light can even trigger the pain, so it stands to reason that you’ll want to avoid it if you’re suffering from a headache.
Turn off any glaring lights in your home, and stick to nightlights. You can light up some candles, or make good use of that ambient lighting you have but never use. Dim lighting can aid in reducing the pain, and relaxing in semi-darkness can help as well. Why not try it?
5. Hit the Hay
There is no deprivation as detrimental as a lack of sleep. If you don’t get enough sleep, the headache should be the least of your problems. There are so many other consequences to be afraid of. Limited cognitive capacity after only one sleepless night is just the beginning.
Headaches are bound to be more severe and more frequent if you don’t get enough sleep. They are also more difficult to get rid of if your body and mind aren’t well-rested.
That is why you need to be responsible when it comes to your zzz’s. The amount of sleep needed varies from person to person, but anywhere between seven and nine hours a night should be okay. Don’t resist the need to take a nap when you can, but don’t overdo it. Your body needs its sleep during the night. Otherwise, it’s not as effective, and if you sleep during the day, chances are that you’ll need to sleep longer.
6. Find Your Favorite Essential Oil
Essential oils are a good way to relax, and some of them are especially good for headaches. Peppermint oil is good for tension headaches. Apply it to your temples, or put a few drops on a tissue and inhale the scent – it should relieve your pain almost immediately. Lavender oil is good for migraines and you can use it in the same way as peppermint oil, or you can use it with an aroma lamp.
7. I like to Move It, Move It
Exercise is one of the best ways to get rid of your headache. Doing yoga will help a lot because it stretches your muscles and makes you breathe more slowly and easily. Light cardio is also a good idea, so don’t use your headache as an excuse to skip your Pilates session. Strength training is another option.
Any kind of exercise is good as long as you put the focus on your back, neck, and shoulders. If it gets your blood flowing, it’ll help.
If you are in no mood to exercise, you can take a walk instead. It won’t be as effective, but it’ll get you moving and breathing fresh air, so it might just be enough to give you some relief.
8. Cool Down
You can always try to soothe your pain using a cold compress. Applying it to the neck or head should reduce inflammation and constrict blood vessels, which helps to reduce the pain. Simply fill a bag with ice, wrap it in a cloth, and put it on your neck or head.
Let’s Wrap It Up and Send It Away
Now you know how to make a headache go away, you’ll never be hindered by the pestering pain again. Still, keep your wits about you. If you try and try, but the situation doesn’t seem to improve, schedule a visit to your doctor as soon as possible.
References:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/in-depth/migraines/art-20047242
https://medlineplus.gov/migraine.html
https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/migraine
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