5 Easy and NATURAL Ways to Get Rid of Headaches – We all get headaches from time to time. From a health perspective, typically there is nothing to be overly concerned about when you get one – but boy can it ruin a perfectly good day! So wouldn’t it be nice to have an easy, and natural, way to eradicate headaches?
This is especially true if you are one of those unfortunate souls that get headaches often… like me.
According to WebMD there are 150 diagnosed headache categories (yes, you read that right). The most common are migraines, tension headaches, sinus headaches, and chronic progressive headaches, and they can be brought on by anything from allergies, eye strain and loud noises to sickness, anxiety, and stress.
One way to get past a horrible headache – some of you out there think what I’m about to type is the only way – is to pop a few Tylenol or Advil and breathe a sigh of relief. But is that the answer? I say NO!
I have long been a proponent of avoiding medication when possible and instead choose natural ways to get through whatever is ailing you. I know this is sometimes easier said than done, but I also know our society tends to rely too heavily on medication.
I’m here to tell you there are 5 Easy and NATURAL Ways to Get Rid of Headaches.
For the purposes of this blog, I’m going to stick with the Top 5 Easy and NATURAL Ways to Get Rid of Headaches. These ARE remedies you can do right in the comfort of your own home. There are some wild remedies out there – one I read preaches the use of cow’s butter – and if you want to check those out, follow this link (http://everydayroots.com/headache-remedies).
But again, Im my busy life, I need to keep it simple and effective, so here are some easy ways to naturally get yourself back on track:
- Take a nap, silly!
Oftentimes, a headache is spurred on because you are mentally and emotionally exhausted. So if you have a chance, take a nap! Find a quiet place to lie down – maybe on the bed or that comfy couch – turn off the lights, shut the blinds, and doze off. Try some relaxation therapy like deep breathing and prayer. Even if it’s only a 30-minute cat nap in a back room at the office, the results are often quick.
- Take a warm shower/use a cold pack
Sometimes when I’m really stressed out and tense, I’ll take a warm shower because the heat of the water helps alleviate muscle tension that is likely the underlying cause of the pain. You can get the same effects from placing a cold compress on the top of your head, over your eyes, or on the back of your neck.
- Drink more water
There are more health-conscious reasons than I can count for all of us to stay properly hydrated, and one of them is because it helps avoid and overcome headaches. Drink plenty of water as soon as your head starts to hurt, and continue doing so throughout the day to ease the pain. Eight glasses (8 ounces) of water per day is always a good rule of thumb.
- Exercise, Exercise, Exercise
I know! The last thing any of us feel like doing when we have a splitting headache is to go workout. I’m not suggesting running three miles or doing 100 squats. A simple quick walk around the neighborhood can release enough endorphins and get your blood pumping in the right way to help ease the pain.
- Massage
Sort of goes without saying, right? Massage naturally improves circulation and relieves tension. So gently massage your temples, your face, the top of your scalp and/or the back of your neck. It might not be a bad idea to combine this technique with taking a nice hot shower!
THE BEST OF THE REST
There are plenty more natural remedies out there to not only overcome an existing headache, but avoid it all together. Some that didn’t make the list above – but are worth trying – include:
- Aromatherapy
- Avoiding caffeine
- Acupuncture
- Meditation
- Drink ginger tee
Lastly, I am not a doctor. No one knows your body like you do, so it’s important to keep that in mind and know when it’s time to seek medical attention if you aren’t suffering from your garden-variety headache.
“I used to suffer from several migraines per month and after drinking shakeology regularly, I now only have about 2-3 migraines per year. I owe it to this awesome super foods shake to keep my body as natural as possible.” -Karma