How to Prevent Headaches Naturally
There’s no such thing as total headache prevention – we’ll all experience the niggling pain of a throbbing head at some point in our lives. Depending on the cause, type and severity of your headaches, you may benefit from visiting a GP, chiropractor, or other specialist for treatment. For example, a chiropractor can help with headaches related to the spine. However, if you don’t require professional intervention, there are some simple things you can do to help minimise the triggers in your everyday life.
Watch What You’re Putting in Your Body
It’s no secret that hangovers and headaches go hand-in-hand, so an obvious way to lessen your risk is to drink less alcohol. The preservatives in red wine have been particularly linked with migraine headaches, but all alcohol increases blood flow to the brain and can lead to dehydration, both of which can trigger headaches. Studies have also linked several of the chemicals in alcohol with headaches, although the exact connection is not yet fully understood.
As well as cutting down on alcohol, it’s also advisable to avoid smoking and reduce your intake of certain foods, such as chocolate, aged cheese, and anything containing caffeine. Beware of cutting out caffeine cold turkey though, as sudden changes in caffeine intake can result in a caffeine-withdrawal headache. You should also make sure you’re always well hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
De-Trigger Your Work Environment
Stress is a major headache trigger, and while it’s impossible to avoid stress in your life altogether, it’s well worth implementing some stress-management techniques if you’re experiencing regular stress-related headaches. Whether that involves taking up yoga or simply adopting some deep-breathing exercises, finding something that helps you relieve tension will work wonders.
If you have a desk job, make sure you’re maintaining good posture – and move around whenever possible. Staring at your computer screen for too long can also lead to eyestrain, so you should give your eyes regular breaks from the glare and focus them on something about 5 metres away. A 20-second break every 20 minutes is the general rule.
To learn more about how you can prevent headaches naturally, make an appointment with Melbourne Chiro Clinic today.