For most people, summer means having the chance to wear tank tops and flip flops, frolicking on the beach, or just lounging around by the pool and soaking up some rays. For others, this season means experiencing headaches. Summer headaches, as a lot of people call them, are triggered by several factors that come with the season. People who experience more headaches than usual during this period can lessen or even eliminate the occurrence of these painful episodes by taking a few preventive measures. Here are some tips to enjoy your summer and keep it headache-free.
- Wear sunglasses. There are a lot of factors that can trigger a migraine headache. One of the triggers that patients most commonly report is exposure to bright lights, including the harsh glare of sunlight. When going out of the house, make sure to keep a pair of sunglasses in your purse or car to shield your eyes from the harsh and bright summer sun.
- Clean your house and change your a/c’s filters. People living in warmer climates can’t live without turning on the air conditioner at home during those sizzling hot summer days. This would involve closing up all the windows in the house to keep the cold air in. Keeping the windows closed prevents the air from circulating properly and dust particles and other contaminants like mold and mildew are kept in. Make sure your air filters are cleaned or replaced before the summer begins and keep your house clean to get rid of these contaminants that can trigger headaches.
- Rehydrate. If there’s a good time to start drinking more water, it’s during the summertime. Headaches are a common symptom of dehydration, and so it’s important to keep ourselves properly hydrated all the time. People lose more water and electrolytes during the summer than any other season, so it’s always a good idea to hydrate more often during the hot summer months.
- Watch your alcohol intake. For a lot of people, summertime is party time and alcohol will always be present. Alcohol is a diuretic and we lose more water the more alcohol we drink. Add the soaring high temperatures to the mix and you’re in for a more intense hangover headache in the morning.
- Keep scents to a minimum. Strong scents can trigger a headache, and during the hot and humid summer days, these scents and odors tend to smell stronger than usual. If you have some scented oils on a burner while relaxing at home or if you’re spraying on some perfume for a night out with your friends, use less than what you’re used to so that you can enjoy yourself more and worry less about headaches.
Summer is supposed to be a time to relax and unwind, but some people who experience more frequent and more intense headaches during this period tend to worry too much in anticipation of the painful episodes to come. The more you worry, the worse the headaches get, so be prepared and avoid headaches for a more enjoyable summer.