Most people get headaches from time to time, whether they're mild annoyances or skull-crushing distractions. Treatment varies depending on the type of headache you're experiencing, but here are some quick feel-better strategies, as well as long-term solutions for stopping the pain before it turns uncontrollable.
Part One: Stopping the Pain Quickly
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Most painkillers won't kick in for about 30 minutes, so take a dose as soon as you start feeling the headache coming on. Even if you're already in the depths of misery, a quick dose of ibuprofen, acetaminophen, naproxen, or aspirin can take the edge off.
Do not take aspirin if you're under 19 years old, and don't give aspirin to children. Take an alternate pain reliever to avoid Reye syndrome, a rare but deadly consequence of taking aspirin.'
Drink plenty of water. Dehydration can lead to a headache, especially if you've vomited recently or you're hungover. Drink a tall glass of water as soon as your head starts to hurt, and try to continue drinking small sips throughout the day. You should gradually feel the pain start to ease.
Use caffeine carefully — it can be a double-edged sword. Many OTC painkillers contain caffeine, for two reasons. Caffeine makes painkillers work faster and more effectively.[1] Without caffeine, painkillers would be slower and less effective, which leaves open the door to painkiller abuse by well-meaning individuals who are simply looking for relief.
- But caffeine can also pose a literal and metaphorical headache when your body becomes dependent on it. If you're a heavy caffeine drinker and you suddenly take it out of your diet, headaches are a common side-effect. Read the following article tolearn how to slowly and effectively overcome caffeine withdrawal.
- Look out for "rebound headache." Rebound Headache results from taking too much caffeine in concert with caffeine-laden painkillers.[2]If you're already taking a painkiller with caffeine as an ingredient, there's no need to drink extra coffee or energy drinks containing caffeine, as this may lead to rebound headache.
Find a quiet, dark place to take a break. If you can, try to lie down and relax for at least 30 minutes. Shut the blinds, turn off the lights, and focus on your breathing.
Request absolute peace and quiet. If you're forced to rest around other people, explain that you have a headache and ask that they please try to be quiet and leave you undisturbed. Pre-emptively asking for cooperation can help you avoid an ugly interruption later. If you'd like, get some sleep or take a nap, but not too long though.
Adjust the room temperature. Some people can only relax in a cool room, while others prefer a large blanket or a space heater. Try to imitate whatever conditions work best for you when you go to sleep at night.
Avoid starting a fresh tension headache. Make sure your bed or couch is comfortable and that your head is supported in a position that doesn't increase the tension to your neck.
Use a cool compress. Placing something soft and cool over your forehead can help the blood vessels constrict, which might ease some of the pain of the headache. This works particularly well if the problem is concentrated in your temples or sinuses.
Wet a washcloth with cool water, and lay it over your forehead. Refresh it with more cold water as soon as it starts to feel uncomfortably warm.
Prep a heavy-hitting compress. Put a wet washcloth in a resealable plastic sandwich bag, and place the bag in the freezer for 30 minutes. Remove it and place on your forehead for a long-lasting compress — the washcloth will be extra cold, and the bag will keep the icy wetness off of your skin.
Massage your scalp, neck and ear lobes. Doing some light massage can distract you from the pain, as well as improving circulation and relieving tension. For a basic massage, gently press your fingers over your temples, and move them in slow circles. Or, try these more advanced techniques:
Do a scalp massage. Hop in the shower and treat yourself to a long scalp massage as you shampoo your hair. Or, for a drier version, pour a little bit of coconut or argan oil on your fingers and rub into your scalp.
- find two tennis or racquet balls and put them in a sock. Lie on a flat surface and place the two balls just below the base of your skull, on the occipital bone, and relax. You may feel sinus pressure or minimal discomfort at first but it will go away. This is especially helpful for sinus headaches.
- Have someone else massage your neck and back if possible. The simple touch of someone else who cares about you can relieve a lot of tension instantly. Have them focus on the occipital region as well.
Gently massaging the bridge of your nose can help relieve sinus and migraine headaches.
Firmly massage the acupressure point on each hand where the thumb and index finger bones meet (second metacarpal bone). It's best if somebody does this for you, so both hands can be massaged simultaneously, but if that's not possible, massage one hand for five minutes, then massage the other hand.
Practice relaxation techniques. People around the world use a variety of tricks to distract themselves from pain. If you're in the midst of a headache, don't worry about learning something new — stick to whatever is closest to your comfort zone. (You can always read up on different meditation techniques later, when you feel better.) Some popular options include:
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