[toc]Headache is so common that all of us suffer from it at some point of time or the other. It is primarily caused due to stressful lifestyles, unhealthy eating habits, sleep deprivation, poor sleeping postures, hormonal disorders, anxiety, an underlying medical condition, environmental pollution and climatic changes, etc. Smoking and alcoholism can also trigger headache.
Headache or cephalalgia is a pain that may occur in various parts of the head or upper part of the neck. The pain initiates from the tissues and other structures surrounding the brain and spreads to the nearby areas of the head. While popping a pain killer available over-the-counter is the easiest way to ward off headache, it can cause serious side effects like nausea, stomach upset, heart burn, etc.
If headaches are very frequent, regular intake of pain-killers may also lead to stomach ulcers and kidney problems. There are some wonderful home remedies which can be used regularly without any possible threat of side effects.
6 Excellent Ways To Ward Off Headache Naturally
Water
Headache may sometimes be caused due to dehydration. It hydrates the body and helps in flushing out harmful toxins from it apart from expelling any gas formed in the digestive track. Water also refreshes the body and mind.
Drinking sufficient amount of water relieves the body from stress and fatigue which usually trigger a headache. Start drinking water at the slightest hint of a headache. While, we should drink 8 to 10 glasses of water everyday, a few more glasses can be added if anyone is suffering from dehydration.
Herbal Tea
The benefits of herbal tea are manifold. Not only are they refreshing, they are also extremely effective in providing relief from stress, headache, removing toxins from our body, etc. They are natural antioxidants and are full of anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety and anti-spasmodic properties. There are mainly four types of herbal teas, which are very soothing for our body and mind. They are green tea, cinnamon tea, ginger tea and chamomile tea.
Vitamin E
Headache can also be experienced due to the contraction of the veins around the neck, shoulders and head, if there is a stress or tension. This may restrict the normal flow of blood and cause headache.
According to Nutritionist Ian Marber, relieving the tension and facilitating the easy flow of blood can be made possible by eating Vitamin E enriched food, that helps in thinning the blood. Vitamin E not only helps in thinning the blood to enhance its flow, but also widens the blood vessels. They are abundantly found in avocado, almonds, wheatgerm, etc.
Food To Avoid
Avoiding or cutting down on certain food can be helpful for those who are suffering from headache. It may be triggered by a substance called gluten, which is mainly found in whole grains like oats and wheat.
Food like cheese, red wine, processed meat, caffeine, chocolates, etc. can also trigger a headache because of a substance called vasoactive amines present in them. However, sensitivity to food that triggers a headache may differ from person to person. What may induce headache in a person may not affect the others.
Essential Oils
A good head massage with aromatic essential oils can be very effective in getting rid of headache. They not only provide relief from pain, but also help in improving our mood. Eucalyptus oil can be used to reduce headache because the oxides present in it are rich in anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties.
Lavender oil is another wonderful antidote against headache. The high concentration of esters in it contain anti-inflammatory and sedative properties. Some other essential oils that are also beneficial for headache are jojoba, chamomile, peppermint, rosemary, etc. Take a few drops of essential oil of your choice in your palms and massage it gently onto your forehead, neck, etc. for a soothing experience. Be careful not to get the oils near your eyes. Alternatively, you may put a few drops of your favorite essential oil in an aroma candle, aroma lamp or into a diffuser.
Adequate Sleep
At times, headache can become so unbearable that we lose the patience to do anything about it. In this situation, the best thing we can do is to go to sleep. Whatever be the underlying reason, a good and sound sleep has the ability of leaving no traces of previous night’s headache. Moreover, headache may sometimes be caused due to sleep deprivation or unhealthy sleeping habits.
Some people have the habit of sleeping less on week days and compensating for it by sleeping for longer hours during the weekends. This may have an adverse affect on our health and invite health issues like indigestion, stress, headache, etc. A person should get 8 hours of sleep daily, in order ti stay healthy and fit.
