Sure, screaming children and stressful work situations could be the source of your frequent headaches, but did you know that common headache triggers also include:
-
Lack of sleep
-
Eye strain
-
Fatigue
-
Dehydration
-
Hormones
-
Constipation
-
Low blood sugar
-
Allergies
-
Muscle tension
-
Nutritional deficiencies
While popping a quick over-the-counter painkiller may seem like the easiest route for addressing your headache, you could be ignoring an underlying cause that needs your attention. Before you head to the medicine cabinet, check out these 5 natural headache remedies instead:
Stay Hydrated
Are you drinking as much water as you are coffee, alcohol, or sugary drinks throughout the day? Caffeinated beverages have diuretic properties and can increase the amount of times you urinate. If you are not replacing those fluids during the day, you can end up with a headache that’s hard to beat. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water throughout the day by:
-
Having a glass each time you visit the restroom
-
Carrying a reusable water bottle on-the-go
-
Eating water-rich fruits and veggies (like cucumber, watermelon, celery, and spinach)
-
Setting water reminders on your smartphone
Take Magnesium
Like calcium, sodium, and potassium, magnesium is an essential electrolyte on which 300 biochemical reactions in your body rely. In addition to promoting bone and teeth formation as well as reinforcing your immune system, magnesium helps stabilize blood sugar levels and maintain normal muscle and nerve function.
The American Migraine Foundation shares that magnesium may prevent some brain signaling associated with migraines and decrease the release of pain-transmitting signals. You can find magnesium supplements at your local pharmacy without a prescription as well as increase your intake of magnesium-friendly foods like squash, beans, nuts, seeds, broccoli, dairy, and whole grains.
Get a Neck Massage
Is the stress of motherhood manifesting itself as muscle tension in your neck and shoulders? If the suboccipital muscles at the top of your neck become stiff and tight due to stress or poor posture habits, they can cause a headache around your entire head.
Knead these vulnerable trigger points in your neck with a targeted massage at home every other day to lessen tightness and pain. Even a 10-minute massage with a handy massage pillow or other device could help work out tense muscles, boost blood circulation, and relax your body.
Try Essential Oils
If you weren’t convinced about the powerful effects of essential oils before, a nagging headache may change your mind. Did you know that lavender oil has been shown to safely and effectively treat acute migraine headaches? Or that peppermint oil is a standard treatment in many practices for tension headaches?
It’s easy to get your fill of essential oils these days – you can use an aroma diffuser, rub some on your skin (check the bottle for instructions on using carrier oils to avoid skin irritation), or even add some to a warm, relaxing bath.
Adjust Your Posture
Are you guilty of craning your neck forward and holding your head at a downward tilt while you work all day on a computer or use your smartphone at night? Bad posture habits cause a variety of things like eye strain, back and neck tension, and general stress to all your body’s systems.
While sitting up straighter (and sitting less) is a good place to start when it comes to posture upgrades, so might be seeing a chiropractor for a professional adjustment. A 2017 study in the BMJ highlighted the potential benefits spinal manipulation has specifically for migraine sufferers.
Don’t feel like you have to pop another pill to deal with your headaches. Try one of these natural remedies instead and see what they can do for you!
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
Speak Your Mind