5 Ways to Ease Tension Headaches at Home

Ease Tension Headaches

 

We’re living some of the most stressful times of our generation. Changes in your diet, physical activity and social interaction can all lead to one of the most annoying symptoms out there: headaches, especially tension headaches.

Tension headache is easy to recognize, as it feels like a clamp squeezing your skull, a dull pain, tightness, or pressure around your forehead or the back of your head and neck.

If you’re struggling with tension headaches, you know very well how excruciating they can get. While there is medication available for this issue, trying some natural remedies first is highly recommended.

As soon as you start to feel another episode approaching, use at least one of the following tips to prevent the headache from getting worse. You might be surprised by how such simple tricks can actually help you avoid taking medication!

Curious enough? Let’s have a look:

 

Take magnesium

Whether it’s blood sugar levels or nerve transmission, this mineral is essential for most functions in your body.

Additionally, studies published in the Journal of Neural Transmission linked magnesium deficiency to more frequent headaches. Just a small dose of a high-quality magnesium supplement taken daily might make a real difference.

 

Use essential oils

Essential oils have long been used around the world due to their therapeutic benefits, including to treat headaches. For example, studies published in Der Schmerz Journal in 2016 showed that applying peppermint essential oil to your temples can reduce tension headaches.

 

Take B-Complex vitamins

B vitamins are a wide group of micronutrients that contribute to keep our system functioning properly. Multiple studies proved that taking supplements rich in vitamins B2, B12 and B6 could ease headache symptoms.

Other benefits of trying a Vitamin B complex are that they’re safe to take, natural and very easy to take.

 

Adapt your diet

Another healthy, cost-effective method to prevent headaches is to add some superfoods to your grocery list. Let’s have a look:

• Quinoa is very rich in healthy carbs, proteins and minerals that regulate your blood pressure (a common cause for constant headaches);
• Turkey meat is especially rich in vitamin B6 which, as we just found, can ease unpleasant symptoms caused by migraine;
• Dark chocolate is not only delicious, but also a potential natural cure for headaches; it’s low in sugar and has just enough caffeine to relieve pains.
• Drink more water! Not drinking enough water causes the body to have fewer electrolytes than it should to function properly. You may not take dehydration seriously, but it can cause lots of problems for you

 

Use a cold compress

I feel that this method is highly underrated nowadays. Cold and better yet frozen compresses applied to the temples, forehead or the neck can slow nerve conduction and decrease inflammation. Both of these properties are known to reduce headaches in a really short time.

A 2006 study published in the Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine proved that applying cold gel packs to the head reduces migraine pain significantly.