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Natural Ways to Alleviate Headaches

If you suffer from headaches, you know how they can interfere with your life. Use natural headache relief methods to relieve headache pain and help stop the headaches from returning. Taking over-the-counter medications can help, but they won't prevent headaches and you shouldn't take them all the time. If you take OTC pain relievers too frequently, they begin to lose their potency.

  1. Relax

    • Exercise and try meditation to help you relax, which will help you alleviate your headaches naturally. Stress can trigger headaches. Deep breathing can help you control your stress response. Exercising helps you improve your body's ability to handle stress. Get regular massages to help release tension in your muscles. Tight shoulder, back and neck muscles can trigger headaches.

    Sleep

    • Get plenty of sleep. Too little sleep leaves you more prone to stress. Not getting enough sleep will leave you fatigued and even exhausted. Being overly tired is a common cause of headaches.

    Journal

    • Keep a journal of when your headaches occur. Write down what happened before the headache started, including anything you ate or drank. Over time you may begin to see a pattern develop. If you see that a particular food or event is causing your headaches, do your best to eliminate that food or avoid the event.

    Diet

    • Eat a balanced diet and consider taking a multivitamin to help get rid of your headaches. A diet that is lacking in particular nutrients (especially magnesium) can cause headaches. Make sure that you don't skip meals and that you are eating something (even if it's just a healthy snack) on a regular basis. Skipping meals can cause drops in blood sugar, which can lead to headaches.

      Consider eliminating caffeine and soft drinks from your diet. Your headaches may be worse at first if you are addicted to caffeine -- they are a common sign of withdrawal. But caffeine can also lead to headaches. Diet soft drinks have artificial sweeteners, which can cause headaches in some people.

    Avoid Triggers

    • Limit your exposure to smoke, perfume, cologne and other odors. This can include air fresheners and even scented candles. You may have an allergy to the fragrant ingredients. And you could be overly sensitive to smoke. If you must be around these substances, be sure to get fresh air frequently -- this can help reduce your reaction.

    Alcohol

    • Drink in moderation. Don't "chug" your drink; sip it slowly. Don't drink red wine because it contains tyramine, which causes headaches. White wine doesn't contain tyramine, so you could safely drink that.

    Medical Care

    • See your doctor for help determining the causes of your headaches and possible treatments. You may have a medical condition that is causing your headaches if you can't reduce or eliminate them through the means listed above. Don't be afraid to take headache medicine if you need it -- sometimes it is necessary.

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