If you suffer from chronic headaches, you have probably tried everything you could to eliminate downtime associated with your achy head (not to mention all the other symptoms that come with it). Whether you deal with cluster headaches, tension headaches, or migraines, there are a few natural things you can try to help get back up on your feet and live your life to the fullest. Here are some simple, natural solutions you can use at home, in the office, or on the go next time you feel a headache coming on.
Drink Lots of Water
There are two main reasons to drink water when you suffer from chronic headaches. The first reason being that dehydration and water deprivation can actually cause the onset of headaches. [1] The second reason is that drinking water and staying hydrated can lessen the effects headaches have on our bodies and can reduce overall downtime. [2] Talk about a win-win!
Get a Sufficient Amount of Sleep
Not getting enough sleep wreaks havoc on your whole body. If you are not getting at least six hours of sleep, your body isn’t going to function to its full potential which, in some people, can lead to headaches, lack of energy, and more. Luckily, we have a detailed guide on how to support healthy sleep here. If you know you haven’t slept well and a headache strikes, try taking an hour-long nap to help reset the body.
Use a Cold Compress
Applying an ice pack or cold compress is an easy, effective way to reduce inflammation. In turn, this can help alleviate the discomfort of a headache. Just remove an ice pack or compress from the freezer, wrap it in a small towel, and apply to the back of the neck, your forehead, or gently on your temples.
Apply Essential Oils
One of our goals at Plant Therapy is to provide our customers with products they can use to better themselves and live healthier fuller lives. One way we accomplish this goal is by creating blends that can help ease some of the day-to-day issues you may encounter, such as headaches. Knockin’ Noggin, Tension Tamer, and Tension Relief are three blends we created that can help and are definitely worth checking out. To use, you just dilute to 1% and apply to the back of the neck and your temples. Or spring for the roll-ons to have them on hand and ready-to-go.
For those of you who enjoy blending your own essential oils, never fear. There are many different essential oils that are known to be beneficial to those who suffer from frequent headaches. Here is a list of essential oils you might consider:
Peppermint
Peppermint is beneficial for those who suffer from headaches for two reasons. The first reason is that it can help relieve the acute pain associated with headaches when diluted and applied to the back of the neck and the temples. It can also help reduce nausea, a common side-effect of headaches. [3] [4]
Lavender
Lavender can help reduce stress levels and provide an overall calming environment which can help prevent and reduce the overall effects of a headache. [5] When blended with Peppermint, it is sure to help relax the body and reduce the discomfort experienced with your headache.
But, Wait!
It’s important to remember that essential oils are not for everyone when it comes to headaches. Those who suffer from chronic migraines may have different triggers, including strong smells which could make the pain and discomfort worse. Because of this, we recommend starting with one or two oils at a time and at very low levels. If you experience any enhanced discomfort, please discontinue use. If you don’t, you can experiment to find the blend that helps you most.