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10 ways to get rid of headaches without painkillers

10 ways to get rid of headaches without painkillers

Do you feel a headache coming on in the middle of the afternoon? Think about one of these things before reaching for painkillers.

1. Adjust your bedtime

Sleeping too little or too much can trigger headaches. Sleeping at set times can help reduce headaches. And yes, being sensitive to a rhythm can mean that you shouldn't sleep in on the weekend.

2. Make sure you drink enough

One of the signs of dehydration is a headache. Make sure you drink two liters of water a day and start your day with a large glass of water. These are 3 signs that you are drinking too little.

3. Eat at regular times

Don't skip meals and make sure your body gets enough nutrients throughout the day.

4. Move enough

During exercise, your body produces endorphins, which are a good headache fighter. Aim for 150 minutes of vigorous exercise per week. But a walk during the lunch break (and the accompanying fresh air) can also ensure that you get through the afternoon without a headache. With a Fitbit or other sports watch you get a signal every hour that you have to move and all your active minutes in a week are kept.

5. Limit stress

Stress causes physical complaints for most people, including headaches. Make sure you don't build up tension in your neck and shoulders, because those muscle tensions can cause headaches. Easier said than done. But a simple exercise is to set the timer on your watch for 5 minutes every day, close your eyes and just pay attention to your breathing. Breathe in through your nose for a count of four, hold your breath for a count of two and slowly exhale through your mouth for a count of 6. By paying attention to your breathing, your stress hormones, your heart rate and breathing all decrease at the same time.

6. Treat yourself to a massage

A massage can provide relief from tension headaches. Or give yourself a little massage to reduce the tension in your sleep. Buy some massage oil and massage it over your forehead and temples every day in circular motions. For example, use this head massage spin with pressure points.

7. Drink coffee

Do you normally start your day with coffee and didn't today? It could just be the cause of your headaches. Still drinking a cup of coffee, I can reduce your headache in that case.

8. Get away from screens

For example, use a timer to remind yourself not to sit in front of a screen for too long. And remember:a phone is also a screen! And instead of sitting behind a screen, go outside. Walking for half an hour every day also ensures that your stress hormones decrease.

9. Find a quiet and dark space

Light and sound often do not have a good effect on your headache. Take a break for a while to recover faster. Lie on the bed with a blackout mask † Like this with memory foam.

10. Know when to take a painkiller

A mild headache may be remedied by rest, a massage or drinking enough water, but a severe migraine is not. Do you have regular headaches? Consult your doctor instead of looking for solutions on your own. Keeping a headache diary of when you have a headache can help you gain insight into your headache triggers.

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