There’s no doubt in our minds that headaches are one of the worst things imaginable. When your head feels like it’s going to pound you into oblivion, all you want to do is curl up into a ball and cry. Headaches are nasty, annoying, and way too common. We hate them, and that’s why we want to talk about how to beat them.

Helen Sanders at Health Ambition reached out with a great article full of information and help. We’ve compiled some of the article below, but you can find the full article on the link above.

Types of Headaches

First, we have to talk about the different kinds of headaches. Not every headache is created equal, and it’s important to know what you’re dealing with.

• Tension Headaches: These headaches are most common and are caused by muscle contractions. Typically, it’s a mild to moderate pain that lasts for a prolonged period.
• Migraines: The exact cause of migraines is unknown, but blood pressure in the brain is thought to be the culprit. Migraines result in moderate to severe pain, can last from four hours to three days, and can include sensitivity to light, noise, nausea, and vomiting.
• Sinus Headaches: These headaches occur along the bridge of the nose and get worse with movement. They’re also typically associated with nasal discharge, ear symptoms, and a fever.
• Cluster Headaches: Cluster headaches are the least common and the most unbearable. They are also called “suicide headaches.” A doctor should be consulted immediately.

Causes of Headaches

Unfortunately, there’s no one thing that can be pointed to as a cause of headaches. Typically, it’s a variety of factors coming together to make your head feel like exploding. However, there are definitely some triggers you should be aware of.

• Stress
• Lack of sleep (insomnia)
• Certain foods (look out for dairy, chocolate, soy, and citrus)
• Hormones (sorry, ladies. PMS causes headaches)
• Low blood sugar
• Weather and lighting changes
• Sex
• Dehydration

How to Beat a Headache

There’s no foolproof way to stop a headache in its tracks, but there definitely some things you can do to help your headache and lessen its impact.

1. Essential Oils

Essential oils are great for headaches. They’re cheaper than drugs and provide a holistic solution.

• Peppermint Oil on the forehead and temples can relieve tension headaches in just 15 minutes.
• Lavender Oil inhalation during a migraine helped 71% of participants.
• Eucalyptus Oil is great for sinus headaches and can reduce inflammation and break down mucus.
• Wintergreen Oil treats headache pain when applied to the skin.

2. Drink Water

If the cause of your headache is dehydration, drinking a class of water at the first sign of a headache can help stop it in its tracks. You can also drink a sports drink to replenish your electrolytes. Or, drink some Hangover Tea to help with your dehydration and to alleviate your headache. Add a little lemon to your Hangover Tea to get double the headache relief.

3. Use Heat or Ice

Depending on your headache, applying a cold compress to your forehead or a heat pack on the back of your neck can relieve your headache. The ice pack will help numb the pain while the heat can relieve headaches caused by stress. You can also sit in a hot bathtub or take a hot shower.

4. Massage

Your head, neck, and shoulders are filled with pressure points that can help relieve your tension headaches. Slowly massage your temples or the bridge of your nose in a circular motion. Or, you can lean your head forward and massage the back of your neck. Finally, locate the acupressure points on your body. Locate the mastoid bone behind your ear and follow the natural groove to your neck; apply pressure for 4-5 seconds.

Headaches can be nasty, but if you know what you’re dealing with at the start, you can get rid of them before they get out of control.