Anyone who’s ever had a headache before knows that they can range from just nagging to straight up wrecking your head. There are so many physical and emotional things that can trigger a headache, like tiredness, all kinds of stress, your diet, and of course, hangovers. In turn, headaches can make us irritable and negatively affect everything we do. They are, quite literally, a pain! So check out 17 tips and natural remedies to avoid headaches and get on with your life!

#1 Rest Up

Headaches are often a sign that your body needs a break, so listen to it. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep and don’t ignore frequent headaches.

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#2 Essential Oils

These can really sort out a sinus or tension headache by expanding and contracting the vessels, which increases blood flow and quickly reduces the pain from a headache. There’s a ton of varieties too, like peppermint, eucalyptus and flaxseed.

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#3 Eat Right

Low blood sugar can be caused by a lack of food and result in aching in your head. Try eating small, healthy meals, frequently during your day. Of course, a balanced diet is hugely important too.

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#4 Herbal Teas

Great for curing headaches when they hit and even preventing them in the first place, herbal teas are full of goodness. And taste delicious too!

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#5 Cool Down

Use a cold, damp towel and compress over your forehead or eyes to provide temporary relief or even cure a headache completely.

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#6 Heat Things Up

Topical headache treatments usually involve something cold, but some people might find a steaming hot shower more effective by opening up blood vessels and pores, as well as relaxing tense muscles.

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#7 Get a Massage

Most of us can become masseuses when a headache comes a’knocking by applying gentle pressure on the temples for temporary relief. You might learn how to do this effectively or consider a professional massage instead. In fact, regular body massages may reduce the likelihood of getting headaches in general. Sign me up!

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#8 Fish Oil

Fish oil contains Omega-3 fatty acids, which have a number of anti-inflammatory properties. Taking a supplement can reduce the frequency and severity of your headache or migraines.

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#9 Watch Your Alcohol

We’ve all answered for our drinking sins the next day at some point in our lives, and while there is unfortunately no definite cure for a booze-induced pounding headache, there are a couple of things you can do. Naturally, you should try taking it easy on said night out, but making sure you eat a proper meal beforehand and having a glass of water with every drink can certainly make the morning after more bearable.

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#10 Magnesium

The nutrient your body needs most to fight a headache, magnesium can be taken safely as a supplement or by eating more fiber. Dietary sources of magnesium include beans, whole grains, seeds, nuts and vegetables like broccoli, squash and leafy greens.

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#11 Stay Hydrated

A headache is one of the first signs of dehydration. To make sure you’re drinking enough fluids, try to consume them throughout the day, rather than just guzzling them down at mealtimes or during periods of heavy physical activity.

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#12 Crush It with Cayenne

Cayenne is somewhat revered in the kingdom of natural remedies to treat pain and inflammation. Dilute ½ teaspoon in 4 oz of warm water. Soak a cotton swab in the solution apply the gently to the inside of each nostril until you can feel the heat. The spice may be a bit unpleasant at first, but when it subsides your headache will be better than before.

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#13 Have Coffee

Coffee lovers can rejoice, because a cup of warm brew has a mild painkilling effect that can be very useful in the early stages of a headache. Just avoid having too much as your body will build up resilience and become dehydrated.

#14 Go Nuts

Instead of popping a pill when you get a headache, toss back almonds. For everyday tension-type headaches, almonds can be a natural remedy and a healthier alternative to other medicine. It acts as a pain reliever because it contains something called salicin, which is also an agent in popular over-the-counter killers.

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#15 Take Computer Breaks

A lot of us suffer from eyestrain from staring at a computer screen all day, or even from TV at home and our phones. Sit an adequate distance away from screens, turn down the brightness, and take regular breaks.

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#16 Stay Out Of The Sun

Sure, we all want to get into the sun and get a nice tan, but if you’re prone to headaches, the sun can often be a trigger, especially when you’re on a sun holiday. Make sure you wear a hat, get plenty of shade and put on that suncream!

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#17 Medication

Although the obvious choice to sort a headache out is medication, it’s important to remember that the pain is generally a response to something that needs correcting, be it lack of sleep, stress or excessive alcohol consumption. Non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs are the first choices for relief, but always stick to the recommended dosage and immediately consult a doctor if the symptoms don’t clear up.

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