8 Ways To Help Your Brain Cure Migraines

Millions of people suffer from headaches worldwide.

From a dull, nagging ache to a sharp throbbing pain that can disrupt your day or your life, headaches are a common condition. There are several types of headaches, but three are the most common. The first of these three are tension headaches, which are the most common kind. The second type of headache is a cluster headache, which is painful and happens in groups or “clusters.” The third type of headache is a migraine headache, which is usually moderate-to-severe.

For treating headaches, there are several prescriptions or over-the-counter options. Many people often take aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen. If your headaches are severe and disrupt your life, your doctor can prescribe a stronger medication. Everyone should be aware, however, that there are several natural options to relieve headache pain.

Drink Water

Dehydration can lead to some pretty intense headaches. Several studies have concluded that people who are constantly dehydrated, suffer from more tension, and migraine headaches. Within 30 minutes to three hours after drinking a glass of water, most people see relief from their headache.

While drinking a glass or two of water can help provide immediate relief from a headache, eating a diet packed with water-rich foods and making sure that you stay hydrated throughout the day can help to keep them away.

Grab an Ice Pack

You can use an ice pack or just use a
towel or washcloth soaked in cold water. Once you have it, lay it over your
forehead and lie down. Even taking out a few ice cubes and rubbing them against
your forehead or temples can provide relief.

One reason that ice or a cold compress may work is that it dulls the pain. Another reason is that it forces your brain to focus on the cold sensation rather than the pain. Either way, keeping an ice pack in the freezer for when you need relief could be a way to go.

Get Some Regular Exercise

While it may be a bad idea or even
impossible to get moving while the headache is happening, regular exercise can
help to reduce the number of headaches you get. However, remember exercising
while you have a headache increases blood flow, which can make the pounding
worse.

Studies have found that people who suffer from migraines experienced a decrease in the number and severity of migraines once they began an exercise regimen. In addition, if your headache is just a dull throb, exercising releases endorphins which can help to crush it.

Limit Alcohol Consumption

We all know that most hangovers come
with a monster headache. For many people, however, alcohol can trigger cluster
headaches and migraines even without drinking an excessive amount. Some people
have found that as little as a glass of wine or one shot of a spirit is enough
to trigger a headache. Alcohol is also a diuretic, which can contribute to
dehydration.

For those people who find that even a small amount of alcohol causes a headache, it is important to note that it might be one of your headache triggers. When this is the case, you might want to exclude alcohol completely from your diet when possible.

Try Aromatherapy

Essential oils have been used for millennia to relieve everything from headaches to stress. There are several ways that they can be utilized, from adding a few drops of essential oil to a diffuser or vaporizer, adding it to a bath, or applying it directly to your skin. There are a couple of essential oils that can help:

• Peppermint oil has a refreshing scent which can help combat
  headaches by opening up blood vessels. Add a little water to a few drops of
  peppermint oil and massage the back of your neck. You can also apply crushed
  peppermint leaves to your forehead. Peppermint tea may also help to combat a
  headache. It is available in stores, but you can make your own by adding 1
  teaspoon of dried peppermint leaves to a cup of boiling water. Cover the water
  and let it steep for about ten minutes. After doing this, strain it and put it
  in a cup. You can add honey to sweeten it if you desire.
• Lavender oil is great for relaxation and for helping to
  combat headaches. You can put a few drops of lavender oil on a tissue or a
  handkerchief and inhale the aroma. Another option is to place a few drops on
  your upper lip just under your nose and inhale. Adding it to a hot bath can
  also help relieve headaches as you inhale the steam. However, avoid taking
  lavender oil orally. If you want to make a lavender tea, use crushed lavender
  in the same manner you would use the peppermint.

Give CBD a Try

Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is
the second most prevalent compound found in the cannabis plant. It is
non-psychoactive, so you won’t get high, but it might just help with a
headache. This is because CBD helps to reduce inflammation. There’s also science
to back it up. A 2016 study showed that cannabis consumption can lead to a
reduction in migraines, but it wasn’t specific to CBD.

CBD comes in a variety of forms. It is important to note, however, that in states where medical marijuana is legal, some high-CBD cannabis may contain THC. If you simply want relief without getting high, your best bet is a hemp-derived CBD oil. CBD oil is available in disposable cartridges and in bottles for vaporizers. It is also available in capsules, tinctures, edibles, drinkables, and in creams and salves. However, keep in mind that with many strains of high-CBD cannabis, the CBD counters the effect of the THC.

Give Yourself a Break from Screen Time

Spending long hours in front of a computer can make people more susceptible to headaches. So can spending long hours surfing the internet of things on your phone. It is important to take regular breaks every 30 minutes to look away from your screen. All you need to do is get up and stretch and make sure you look away from your screen for at least 20 seconds. Another method is to follow the 2-20-20 method. Every two hours take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away.

Get a Regular Sleep Schedule

With sleep, it’s a dual-edged sword
of headaches. Getting too much or too little can trigger migraines and other
types of headaches. When we lose out on REM sleep, our serotonin levels drop,
which can trigger a headache. Low levels of melatonin are also associated with
chronic headaches.

To combat this, it is necessary to stick to a routine as much as possible. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. Try to limit caffeine, television, and cell phones in the hours just before bedtime. Make sure you try to get a routine going where you can get at least 6-8 hours of shut-eye nightly.

Final Thoughts

For relieving headaches naturally, there are several options to choose from. However, one thing that might be worth the effort is to keep a journal of triggers that are specific to you. Put foods and beverages that trigger headaches on the “no” list and try to avoid them. Try to limit your stress levels, because stress is a major contributing factor to headaches. If you find yourself with a headache that you just can’t shake, sometimes the best solution is to rest in a dark, quiet room and let it take care of itself.