10 Effective Ways to Get Rid of Headaches Without Medication

Headaches can occur for various reasons, including the development of serious illnesses. However, even completely healthy people can experience them unexpectedly: studies show that certain aspects of diet and lifestyle can increase the likelihood of headaches. These include:

lack of sleep;
dehydration;
caffeine withdrawal;
alcohol consumption;
nutrient deficiency;
undernourishment.

What to do if you have a severe headache?

1. Hydrate your body

Lack of fluid can lead to headaches. Moreover, dehydration can negatively affect concentration and cause irritability. Therefore, try to drink water regularly. If necessary, set reminders on your phone to help you remember, or download a special app that will notify you when it's time to drink a glass of water.

2. Use essential oils

Essential oils are highly concentrated liquids containing aromatic compounds from various plants. Many of them have therapeutic effects: some help relieve stress and relax, others reduce headaches, and some repel insects. We are interested in oils that reduce headaches: these are peppermint, lavender, and eucalyptus oils. Studies show that they are particularly effective in combating headaches.

To alleviate your condition, simply apply one of these oils to your wrists and temples.

3. Apply a cold compress

Cold compresses placed on the neck or head help reduce inflammation, slow nerve conduction, and constrict blood vessels, which can alleviate headaches.

The simplest way to make a cold compress: fill a ziplock bag with cold water, leave it in the freezer for 10 minutes, then take it out and wrap it in a soft towel or small blanket. Apply the compress to the painful area. If a freezer is not available, you can skip this step.

4. Drink coffee

Caffeine lifts your mood, improves alertness, constricts blood vessels, and enhances concentration. All of this can help reduce headaches or even eliminate them completely.

5. Try herbal tea

For those who do not like coffee, a cup of chamomile tea will do. In a 2020 study, 170 patients with frequent migraines were divided into two groups: one took a placebo for 16 weeks, while the other consumed chamomile tea. Those who drank chamomile tea experienced headaches much less frequently.

6. Just rest

Sometimes just 15 minutes of silence and dim light can work wonders. Distract yourself from tasks, put away gadgets, and close your eyes. Relax. But don't forget to set an alarm so you don't sleep the whole day away!

7. Do self-massage

With gentle stroking movements, use your fingertips to move from your forehead to the back of your head, from the crown to your ears, and from the top of your head down to your neck. Slowly massage the area where you feel pain, then move to your temples.

8. Eat an apple

Apples help restore the acid-base balance in the body, which can contribute to headache relief.
One of the healthiest snacks at work is a simple apple. Its benefits are undeniable! This fruit positively affects brain function, lowers cholesterol levels, cleanses blood vessels, and even helps get rid of headaches.
One of the healthiest snacks at work is a simple apple. Its benefits are undeniable! This fruit positively affects brain function, lowers cholesterol levels, cleanses blood vessels, and even helps get rid of headaches.

9. Drink lemon water

This method will help you solve two problems at once! First, you will hydrate your body, and second, restore the acid-base balance. Additionally, lemon refreshes, relaxes, and helps relieve stress!

10. Eat a handful of almonds

You might not have known about the wonderful properties of nuts. Almonds are rich in important nutrients, including tryptophan (an amino acid that promotes the production of serotonin, responsible for good mood and well-being) and magnesium (which helps relax muscles and constricts blood vessels).

For the best results, try to combine several methods and take a comprehensive approach to treating headaches.