How to Get Rid of a Headache Without Medicine?
Almost everyone experiences a headache at some point in their life. For some people, headaches are a chronic issue that they can suffer from on a daily basis. There are different types of headaches, like tension headaches, cluster headaches, and migraines. No matter what type of headache you’re experiencing, or how severe the pain is, there are things you can do to feel better.
Of course painkillers work for some people, but others prefer to get rid of headaches without medicine. If you’re wondering how you can get rid of a headache naturally, here are 4 things to try.
- Drink some water
One of the most common causes of headaches is not drinking enough water. When you feel a headache coming on, reach for a glass of water to try and get some relief – it just may be the cure you need. In fact, studies show that it can take only half an hour for water to cure a headache in dehydrated people.
- Apply a hot or cold compress
Cold compresses can help get rid of headaches caused by inflammation. The coolness slows down nerve conduction and constricts blood vessels, helping to ease headache pains. Making a cold compress is easy, just wrap a bag of frozen peas in a kitchen towel and apply it to your head, temples, or neck area for about 15 minutes. You can also fill a bag with ice cubes and wrap that in a cloth.
On the other hand, hot compresses can help get rid of headaches that aren’t related to inflammation. You can warm up a heat pack and place it around the back of your neck if you have a tension headache, or over your nose and forehead if it’s sinus related. If you can’t do either of the compresses, a hot or cold shower can also help to get rid of headaches naturally.
- Get some relaxation
Relaxing may be the last thing you feel like doing when you have a headache, but it can be tremendously useful in reducing pain. Try some yoga postures to get rid of headaches, these can reduce pressure on your neck that causes some tension headaches. One study found that those who practised yoga for three months experienced a dramatic reduction in headache frequency and pain compared to those who didn’t. Alternatively, deep breathing or meditation is another way to get rid of headaches without medicine.
- Drink ginger tea
If you want to reduce headaches with herbal medicine, try drinking some ginger tea. Studies have found that ginger helped to ease pain for ER patients suffering from migraines. One study even found ginger to be almost as effective as prescription migraine medications. That makes ginger tea a great natural way to get rid of headaches without having to take medicine. To make ginger tea, just chop or grate some fresh ginger and boil it on the stove with water.
