3-day tips to relieve headaches without medication

According to the World Health Organization, more than half of adults experience a headache at least once a year. There are many possible causes of headaches, including inflammation, sinus infection or genetics. Because they cannot be diagnosed and treated immediately and effectively, the patient's suffering time is prolonged. For modern people who are under great pressure, sleeping well is a difficult thing in itself. According to a survey conducted by the Taiwan Society of Sleep Medicine, the prevalence of insomnia among Taiwanese is 20.2%, and the number of insomniacs in Taiwan exceeds 4 million, not to mention headaches.

Common headache triggers include stress and too much alcohol, but they can also be caused by dehydration, poor posture, lack of sleep, or strong odors. When an attack occurs, relief is the primary goal. It is also necessary to observe what exactly causes the headache. Otherwise, it is only "treating the symptoms but not the root cause". The best way is to eliminate the root cause. Here are some tips for avoiding medication and avoiding harm to your body in the first three days of a headache:

Day 1‧ Replenish nutrition and water, sleep and massage

Avoid allergic foods and replenish water and nutrients

First, avoid any foods you suspect you may be allergic to. Try drinking some ginger or feverfew herbal tea. Hydration is also important, especially during exercise. Recommendations for how much water you should drink each day vary, but aim to drink 6 ounces (1800 ml) of water at least. Although dehydration is a common headache trigger, it should not be excessive. In addition, studies have shown that people who take vitamin B-2 have fewer headaches per month. If you want to supplement it, you can eat more dairy and egg products, liver, clams or dark green vegetables.

Take a nap and massage the back of your neck

1. Try sleeping for 30 minutes to see if the headache is sleep or stress related.

2. Close your eyes and feel whether light or eye strain causes pain.

3. Massage the back of your neck or the bridge of your nose to see if that relieves your headache.

Day 2: Stay away from headache triggers and do some light exercise

Stay away from caffeine and junk food and take appropriate amount of magnesium

MSG and caffeine are the most common headache triggers, with aspartame and alcohol also potential contributors. Especially for people who are prone to headaches, do not drink caffeinated beverages or try to avoid them, and eat less junk food, food additives (such as MSG) and artificial sweeteners. Studies have shown that magnesium is an essential mineral for the body. Too little can cause headaches, and too much can have side effects, so it is best to consult a doctor before consuming it.

Mild sports essential oils

1. Avoid high-impact activities; light exercise can help with headaches, but strenuous activities like running or lifting weights will only make them worse.

2. Using peppermint and lavender essential oils can help relieve headaches.

3. Try incorporating yoga poses into your routine and stretch your neck to soothe your neck.

Day 3: Eat small meals frequently to relax

Stay away from ice cream and eat small meals frequently

Brain freeze may be linked to chronic headaches, so if you're addicted to ice, try cutting back for a while and see if there's a difference. In addition, when people feel stressed, they may also develop chronic inflammation. They can eat more foods such as dark green vegetables and berries, and eat small meals frequently. Skipping meals or eating irregularly will only lower blood sugar.

Relaxation before bed Yoga

Chronic tension headaches may come and go, so massage, acupuncture, or other relaxation activities may be a good option. For example, yoga helps the body produce melatonin, which regulates sleep quality.

【Warm Tips】

The key to alleviating headache symptoms is to maintain a healthy body and mind, so you should try your best to maintain a normal schedule, avoid staying up late, adjust stress and relax your emotions, supplement adequate nutrition, and avoid foods that are likely to cause headaches (such as caffeine and ice products).