Natural Headache Remedies

Natural Headache Remedies Everybody Should Know

The following natural headache remedies will provide pain relief in both the short-term and long-term periods. Keep in mind that the onset of headaches can be prevented and warded off by natural means – not expensive over-the-counter and prescription medications!

Just Relax

When you start experiencing the symptoms of an impending headache, your first line of defense are to relax – yes, relax your mind and body especially when you suffer from tension headaches. The neck and shoulder stretches coupled with deep breathing exercises are the best headache remedies because these almost immediately relax tense muscles in these areas.

• Perform simple stretching exercises like neck rolls, neck stretches and shoulder shrugs.
• Take deep breaths; inhale deeply through your nose, hold your breath for a second and then exhale via your mouth.
• Massage your tense muscles especially your neck, shoulders and head.
• Take a nap; listen to relaxing music; and just relax for several minutes.

Water Therapy

One of the best natural headache remedies is water – yes, water but it should be used for hot foot baths and cold compresses. Experts have yet to identify why alternating hot and cold eases headaches but the current consensus is that heat increases blood flow while cold lessens inflammation.

• Pour hot and cold (i.e., water with ice cubes) water into two separate basins. Place the basins at your foot while you comfortably sit on a chair.
• Place your feet first on the hot water for 2 minutes.
• Place your feet on the cold water for another 2 minutes.
• Alternate between hot and cold for 20 minutes.

Yet another version of the one of the best  natural headache remedies is using hot and cold compresses. Place the hot compress on the back of your head and neck first and then follow with the cold compress; alternate in 5-minute increments for 20 minutes.

Drink It Up

Think of drinking a cup of either coffee or tea as one of the headache remedies as getting pain relief from the inside out. Besides, drinking hot beverages is a relaxing activity in itself.

• Coffee

Just make sure that coffee is not one of your food triggers. Drink one cup of coffee when you feel a headache coming on. Caffeine helps in constricting blood vessels and, thus, relieving the pain or warding off headache.

• Tea

Almost any hot tea like green tea, peppermint tea and chamomile tea can work as headache natural remedies. These beverages contain chemicals that lessen spasms and constrict blood vessels.

Healthy Lifestyle Habits

And there’s nothing like healthy lifestyle habits including sleep, diet and exercise to lessen the frequency, duration and intensity of headaches.

• Avoid eyestrain. Take a break from working at the computer once every 15 minutes.
• Get sufficient hours of sleep on a regular schedule. Proper sleeping conditions like a dark, quiet and cool room are a must.
• Engage in moderate exercise like brisk walking for 30 minutes.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and natural fruit juices.
• Eat a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains especially magnesium-rich foods, and avoid your food triggers.

With these easy-to-do yet effective natural headache remedies, you can say goodbye to pain and say hello to a better life!