You don’t need to pop a pill to be pain free – try these easy fixes for fast relief
A pounding head is one of the most common health complaints in the UK, with millions of women regularly suffering. ‘Your headache could be down to stress, eye strain, dehydration or your hormones,’ says headache specialist Professor Anne MacGregor*. Instead of always reaching for a painkiller, these simple, natural cures could help…
CONTROL YOUR BREATH
Take a moment to focus on your breathing. Breathe in slowly through your nose to the count of four and exhale to the count of six or eight. ‘Deep breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, changing your body’s response to adrenaline and other hormones that can trigger stress headaches,’ says Dr Steven Allder, a consultant neurologist at recognitionhealth.com.
DIM THE LIGHTS
Bright light can trigger a headache or make one worse if it has already started, explains Dr Allder. ‘This is particularly true of migraines, when the brain can become much more sensitive to light and also to noise.’ Consider switching to soft, yellow-toned light bulbs in your home.
USE YOUR NOSE
A good sniff of certain essential oils could help. ‘Peppermint oil works as well as paracetamol, found research, bringing significant relief within minutes,’ says functional health practitioner Fran McElwaine**. Mix a few drops with a carrier oil and apply to your temples or neck.
STRETCH OUT
Watching TV with an irritating nag in your temples? Try lying on the floor with your calves resting on the sofa or with your legs up against a wall – this is a lovely way to relax your body and release head tension, says Fran. ‘By stretching tight muscles, yoga poses also help to flush out stress hormones like cortisol.’
POP ON YOUR SPECS
If you should be wearing your prescription glasses or lenses, make sure you do. Eye strain is a common headache trigger, as is spending too much time in front of a screen, so remember to take frequent eye breaks from your computer or device.
‘Use the 20-20-20 rule – every 20 minutes, look at something 20ft away for 20 seconds,’ says Essilor eye expert Dr Andy Hepworth. Or try eye yoga. ‘Look to the left, hold the position,
