There are few things that can wear you down like a painful headache. A headache zaps your energy, lowers your productivity, interferes with your social life, and just plain hurts.
There are several different kinds of headaches, from migraine to tension to sinus. But as we understand more and more about headaches, it becomes apparent that they are frequently preventable.
The next time you get a headache, don’t just reach for the aspirin or the ibuprofen. Instead, try something a little more proactive. Follow these 10 strategies to try and stop the headache in its tracks the next time without resorting to medications.
1. When you’re outside on a sunny day, cover your head with a hat. Too much of the sun’s heat can cause vascular changes in your brain and alter its delicate balance of fluids. The result is frequently a headache.
2. Avoid exhaust fumes. The noxious mix of chemicals produced by construction equipment or a car’s exhaust pipe can rapidly set off a headache.
3. Keep it loose – your hair, that is. Tight ponytails, braids and buns aggravate the muscle tissues near your scalp, which frequently leads to a headache. The same goes for close fitting hats, headbands, and heavy earrings.
4. Relax. Tension headaches are caused by – you guessed it – too much tension. Clear your mind of worries. When you feel overwhelmed, listen to music, soak in a hot tub, light some scented candles, or take a nap.
5. Shut out the racket. Noise pollution is a leading cause of headaches. And we’re not just talking about the cacophony of a busy city street with traffic and construction. Turn down the volume on your stereo. Turn off the TV if you’re not watching it. Send the kids outside to play. Invest in some ear plugs for when you venture out into noisy surroundings.
6. Get a checkup with your dentist. Oftentimes, the pain of a toothache feels like a headache, or can cause one to occur. If your troublesome tooth is in your upper mouth, the threat of a headache increases.
7. Straighten up. Poor posture can trigger a headache because it puts pressure on the muscles in your shoulders and neck. If your job requires you to sit most of the day, take care that your workstation is set up to discourage slouching. You might want to try out a cushion to support your back.
8. Eat on a regular basis. Skipping meals leads to low blood sugar and reduced energy, which can cause a headache or even a migraine.
9. Avoid monosodium glutamate and caffeine, both of which are known to cause migraines.
10. Start a headache journal. When you get a headache, write down the time and place, and what the circumstances were. Did you eat anything unusual? What was the weather like? Were you in a stressful situation, or maybe PMS-ing? Over time, this information can help you identify your particular headache triggers.
Certainly, there are lots of causes for a headache, and these guidelines shouldn’t be replacement for a visit to your doctor. But it’s worth a try to see if you can discover what’s triggering your chronic headaches and pre-empt them without popping pills.
You might just find yourself relying less and less on the pill bottle.