There are ways to effectively treat headaches naturally. Of course, preventing the initial onset of a headache is key. Though you can’t prevent every headache, there are ways to be proactive about staving off headaches.
Headaches are among the most common health complaint. The World Health Organization estimates that half the adult population has had at least one headache within the last year. Of those, as many as 4% suffer from chronic headaches, meaning they are affected by head pain on 15 or more days each month.
To begin a strategy for preventing headaches, it is extremely helpful to maintain a “headache diary.” This tool will aid in keeping track of the underlying causes and patterns of headaches. If you can become educated about what may be triggering the headaches, an individualized plan can be devised that can help you avoid them! Some of the things you may want to track include:
- when headaches occur
- duration
- intensity level
- food/drink consumed
- amount of sleep
- stress level
- environment
- activity
As you develop a “headache diary,” you will learn some of your triggers. Avoiding or minimizing these triggers can mean less headaches and improved general health – and less medications.
Granted, there may be triggers which you have no control such as the weather or hormonal fluctuations, yet tracking can shed light on handling headaches and their causes.
Good lifestyle habits can help minimize headaches. Make these a rule on a daily basis:
- Get enough sleep.
- Stay hydrated.
- Stay consistent in your day-to-day routine.
- Manage stress.
- Maintain good posture.
- Eat a healthy diet.
Tracking the patterns that can lead to a headache and practicing good daily habits, can minimize their occurrence. Consult your doctor for natural solutions for headaches. The goal is to avoid taking medications routinely – these just mask the headache pain and can cause harmful side effects.
