Dehydration can cause or worsen headaches. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help relieve headache symptoms quickly.
For tension headaches, a warm compress can help relax muscles in the neck and relieve pain. For migraines, a cold compress on the forehead may numb discomfort, constrict blood vessels, and improve circulation.
Bright or flickering light, even from your computer screen, can cause migraine pain. If you’re prone to them, cover windows with blackout curtains during the day, use daylight-spectrum fluorescent bulbs, and adjust your screen settings to reduce eye strain.
Peppermint and lavender essential oils are especially helpful. Peppermint oil can stimulate a significant increase in skin blood flow at the forehead, and lavender oil can be relaxing and reduce migraine symptoms.
Stress can trigger headaches, so techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or progressive muscle relaxation can reduce the frequency and severity of headaches.
Strong odors like those from perfumes and cleaning products can trigger migraines in some people. Avoiding these can help prevent headache episodes.
Herbal teas like ginger, peppermint, or chamomile can be soothing and offer anti-inflammatory benefits to help relieve headache symptoms.
Too little or too much sleep can trigger headaches in some people. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night and try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule.