Headaches are the most common illness that people from all walks of life experience every day. Different types of headaches can affect different people ranging from mild to unbearable ones. Some linger so long that they can upset your day-to-day activities.  

A lot of over-the-counter medications are claiming to relieve headache symptoms and are quite useful in some cases. Did you know that there are also home and natural remedies that can help in getting rid of a headache without taking medication? Here are five simple and natural ways you can try to relieve your headache fast. 

Drinking water is probably the cheapest and easiest relief for headaches. Some studies show that dehydration is one common cause of headaches and migraines of people of different ages. Dehydration can change how a person feels and thinks and can also make one irritable even with or without a headache. 

A simple remedy of drinking water has shown a positive effect on relieving headaches on dehydrated individuals within 30 minutes to 3 hours. To always keep hydrated throughout the day, make it a habit to bring a water bottle with you wherever you go. You can also increase water intake by eating fruits high in liquids such as watermelon, cantaloupe, apples, and pears. Drinking smoothies and juices and eating soup can also help improve hydration. 

Limiting alcohol intake also helps reduce headaches. Alcohol acts as a diuretic, making the body lose fluids due to frequent urination. Drinking alcohol leads to dehydration, which may be the cause of headaches when one drinks too much of it. 

Sleep problems are also common reasons for headaches. A headache can be triggered when one gets too little or too much sleep. When a person has not slept soundly or slept very little, the body is not well-rested leading to an onset of a headache. 

 It has also been observed that too much sleep can even resort to a headache. That is why it is vital to know the right amount of rest that you should get to avoid headaches. Adults should get 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night to get the best amount of rest and prevent frequent headaches.

Regular physical activity has many benefits to the body, including warding off headache symptoms. During exercise, the body releases chemicals called endorphins, which interact with the brain receptors that interpret the perception of pain. These endorphins act as analgesics, which reduces the body’s perception of pain. 

Too little exercise or no rigorous physical activity per day may prompt headaches, especially among young children and teens. A regular workout can boost the body’s energy levels and reduce stress. Simple activities such as riding a bike or brisk walking for 30minutes can help release endorphins to reduce the occurrence of headaches.

            

Using a cold compress is also a straightforward remedy to relieve headaches. To make a cold compress, get an ice pack, wrap it in a towel and apply on your head, temples, or the back of your neck to reduce headache.

Cold compress works by constricting the blood vessels, which helps the neurotransmission of pain to the brain. The brain recognizes the cold feeling instead of pain. It had been observed that applying a frozen neck wrap at the beginning of a migraine reduced the pain felt by a person with migraine headaches. 

It is recommended to apply the cold compress in the form of a neck wrap for 15 to 20mins. Using on the neck as a frozen neck wrap is the best way to reduce pain caused by migraines and headaches.

People with chronic headaches are relentless in finding non-drug treatments because eventually, taking drugs can also take a toll on one’s health and can also be costly. Non-drug treatments such as acupressure are also useful in reducing pain and headaches. 

Acupressure is an ancient treatment based on traditional Chinese medicine of acupuncture. The process of acupressure is putting pressure on certain parts of your body called acupoints, which can release tension and stimulate blood circulation. 

      

The acupoint involved to relieve headaches and migraines is between the base of the thumb and index finger. Press on this acupoint for 5 mins using your thumb in a circling motion while applying pressure. 

Another version of this remedy is using Aculief Wearable Acupressure, a wearable acupressure device that provides drug-free migraine relief. It is a natural, alternative, and convenient way to relieve headaches, which works within minutes of use. Check out GSHS.org for more extensive discussion and reviews on this device, which provides fast migraine relief.

Migraines and headaches are never welcome, but they always seem to come by uninvited. A lot of remedies have been tried and tested to relieve pains and headaches, which come and go. Some medicines are sufficient to reduce headaches, while other subjects prefer natural remedies. 

Hopefully, the list above can provide you with a natural remedy to relieve your pain.