Anyone who suffers from headaches or migraines knows just how debilitating they can be. You may feel ambitious, write a to-do list for the next day, and then have your plans be ruined by a crippling headache. Headache pain can range from irritating to debilitating, and can make simple, daily tasks become difficult to complete.
I often work with clients who experience frequent headaches, and we always start our protocol with these steps:
Stay hydrated!
Often when you reach for the pain pills, you should first reach for a glass of water. Studies show that one in ten people with headaches are dehydrated, and a shocking 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. When your brain doesn’t have the water it needs, it may temporarily shrink due to fluid loss, causing pain. Staying hydrated keeps your brain functioning at its best and decreases your chances of getting dehydration-related headaches. Drinking water is also essential to numerous other body functions. It helps regulate body temperature, keeps joints lubricated, prevents infections, delivers nutrients to cells, and improves sleep quality, cognition and mood.
Manage blood sugar
Blood sugar that is out of balance can cause headaches. If this is the case for you, be sure to eat every 3-4 hours. You should eat high quality proteins, fruits, vegetables and complex carbohydrates that will fuel you through your day. Fruits and vegetables, along with quality proteins can keep your blood sugar balanced and in turn, help prevent headaches and migraines. There are also herbal supplements that have been studied for their use in balancing blood sugar.
Magnesium
Did you know that magnesium may be a natural pain reliever? Magnesium has been widely studied for its ability to nourish the nervous system. Taken before bed, it is used to help the mind and body to relax as you fall asleep. You can take a magnesium supplement or add magnesium to your diet through pumpkin seeds, spinach, swiss chard, dark chocolate, black beans, quinoa, halibut, almonds, cashews, mackerel, avocado, and salmon.
Fiber
Many people are unaware that constipation may contribute to headaches. When you are constipated, the colon slows down. Toxins may build up in your body and can cause headaches. Be sure to get enough fiber through quality fruits and vegetables. Another great way to get fiber is through supplements, such as our Colon Cleanse and Tone. This supplement keeps the colon regular and helps toxins to move through more quickly.
Clove & Lime
If you are trying to stay away from over the counter pain medications, I recommend trying a cup of clove & lime tea. Boil 1 tbsp of cloves in 1 cup of water for 2 minutes, then strain. Add the juice of a fresh lime, and enjoy. Both Clove and lime have been used for centuries for headache pain, and I've found it to be incredibly effective.
Hopefully you rarely experience headache pain, but if you ever do, you now have some information and ideas in your back pocket to help get you back to your life!
If you or someone you know is struggling with the debilitating effects of headaches and doesn’t know where to turn, please give me a call for an individual health consultation--I would be happy to help!
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