{"id":6966,"date":"2019-05-29T21:11:39","date_gmt":"2019-05-29T21:11:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=6966"},"modified":"2021-05-04T18:04:37","modified_gmt":"2021-05-04T18:04:37","slug":"16-home-remedies-that-help-relieve-tension-headache","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/16-home-remedies-that-help-relieve-tension-headache\/","title":{"rendered":"16 Home Remedies That Help Relieve Tension Headache"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Tension headache causes pain in the head, back of eyes, and neck. The pain ranges from mild, moderate, and intense. It is the most common type of headache that over three million people in the US experience each year. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A lot of factors play a role in how tension headaches develop, such as stress, not getting enough sleep, and bad posture. Tension headaches will go away once the cause of the headache is resolved. Tension headaches can last from a couple of days to a few weeks. It just depends on how intense the pain is. Most people take over-the-counter medications, such as Tylenol to relieve their headaches, but they are not good to take on a long-term basis. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are natural treatments that you can take to treat a tension headache that has no side effects. Here is a list of eight home remedies that help relieve tension headaches. Some of the items for the home remedies can be found in your kitchen cupboard.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. A spoonful of white vinegar can relieve a tension headache. <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is an old remedy that a lot of older people have used to do to get rid of headaches<\/a>. You don\u2019t need to drink any water with it. When Tylenol doesn\u2019t work, take the vinegar, lie down, and in a couple of hours, your headache will be gone. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The taste of vinegar is strong, but it will help with the tension headache. Vinegar works so well that you won\u2019t need to take any more unless your tension headache is intense. Vinegar is known for regulating blood sugar. It will also help someone who could be having a headache because their blood pressure is high. Vinegar isn\u2019t a substitute for going to your primary care physician, but it can help lower your tension headache until you are able to seek medical attention. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apple cider vinegar can be used as well, but white vinegar is the go-to for older people.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Use an ice pack or heating pad to relieve a tension headache. <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The ice pack or heating needs to be placed on the head for five to 10 minutes a few times a day. The best time to use these is when you are able to lie down. When you use a heating pad you may want to have an extra towel over your head, so that you don\u2019t burn yourself. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ice pack may be too cold to place directly against the skin <\/a>as well. The ice pack and heating pad relax the muscles to allow the tension headache to go away for a while. One thing to remember is after lying down for a long period of time, you\u2019ll need to take your time to get back up. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you rush to get up, your tension headache may come back, especially if the heating pad or ice pack did its job.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Writing in a journal will help relieve your tension headaches. <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a form of stress management and tension headaches can come from stress<\/a>. A lot of times people keep all of their emotions bottled up inside of them instead of telling others. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By writing your thoughts down, you\u2019ll be able to cope with stressful situations. In fact, you may laugh at some of the things that you were stressing over. It is important to write in your journal every day. Whenever something is bothering you, write down everything. Even if you\u2019re at work, take the journal with you. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, your boss or co-workers could be giving you a difficult time about how you\u2019re performing at work, but instead of saying anything, you\u2019ll keep it bottled up and stress about it. Write down how you feel immediately. It\u2019ll be almost as if you are telling someone, except you\u2019re telling the journal.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Improve your posture is another way to relieve a tension headache. <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who have office jobs tend to have poor posture because they have to sit in one position for hours. In order to improve your posture, you will need to sit up with your back straight while at the desk. If you have to sit back in the chair, sit up straight. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will cause tension in your neck by having poor posture<\/a>. Some office jobs allow their workers to have desks that raise up so they can stand up. It can take a toll on the body by sitting down all of the time. Even when you\u2019re not working and at home, you will need to have proper posture, including at the kitchen table or just sitting on the couch. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The more you practice sitting correctly, it will become second nature to you. In fact, when you walk, you will notice that you are walking straighter instead of hunched over.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Take computer breaks to keep yourself from having an eye strain. <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you sit at a computer all day, it can cause tension headaches. By getting up and letting your eyes rest, it\u2019ll give you a chance to focus on something else instead of the computer screen. If you can\u2019t get up, close your eyes for a few minutes. If you are having a tension headache, by closing your eyes, that headache will cease. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you open it back up and look back directly at the screen, it may make the headache come back. So, when you open your eyes<\/a>, take your time. You may want to open your eyes and focus on something else. A large number of people have tension headaches because of the use of technology. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just about everyone uses some form of technology, including iPads, iPhones, and laptops. Whenever you see someone, they have their eyes towards their electronic device.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Take a hot shower or bath to relax your muscles in your body. <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You might want to light some scented candles as well, especially if you take a hot bath. Close your eyes and relax in the bath. You may not be able to relax too much in a shower since you\u2019re standing up versus sitting down. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whenever you have a tension headache, just fill the tub with hot water. You can add Epsom salt<\/a> since Epsom salt is a muscle relaxant. Sit in the tub for 10 to 20 minutes. The scented candles will fill the bathroom with a relaxing aroma that will ease your tension headache along with the hot bath itself. You\u2019ll want to have the lights off because you can relax better. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you have tension headaches, it\u2019ll make you sensitive to light. Take your time getting out of the bath because you may still be light-headed because of the tension headache.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Exercise is good for a tension headache. <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to exercising, you\u2019ll want to do low-impact exercises, such as walking. You don\u2019t necessarily want to jog or run. Jogging and running can cause you to fall out because you have to move your head. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since you have a tension headache, it\u2019ll make the headache worse. Walking at a slow to a brisk pace for 20 to 30 minutes will help with your tension headache. Walk at least five times a week. Your headache will be relieved and you may lose weight<\/a>. When you walk, make sure you have proper posture. You can get tension in your neck by being hunched over. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The more walking you do, over time, your headache should cease. Even if you don\u2019t feel like walking one day, push yourself because you\u2019ll feel better. Since you\u2019ll be sensitive to light, wear a hat or sunglasses when you walk.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Drinking hot tea will help relieve tension headaches. <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you drink the tea, make sure you\u2019re in a room where it\u2019s quiet. You can enjoy your hot tea while collecting your thoughts. When you drink hot tea, use herbal teas, such as peppermint tea. Peppermint tea relaxes the muscles and nerves<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you have a tension headache, the peppermint tea will send signals to your brain. The peppermint tea will also leave an aroma in the home that will help with your headache. Since peppermint tea is so strong, you may want to be at home in a warm room. Peppermint will open up your pores, so you\u2019ll want to be somewhere warm. It may be a good idea to drink a cup of peppermint tea before bedtime, so it\u2019ll not only just help your tension headache, but help you sleep better as well. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a tension headache, your inability to sleep is one of the symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9.    Stay Hydrated<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many people who develop a tension headache do so because of dehydration<\/a>. Dehydration plays a significant role in our levels of well-being, and when we are in a dehydrated state, our body does not function properly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors recommend that we consume eight 8-oz glasses of water every day to maintain adequate hydration levels. When we experience dehydration, every biological system in our body becomes dysfunctional. As a result, we may feel weak and fatigued, and athletic performance reduces by more than 60-percent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The brain requires sufficient levels of hydration to maintain cognitive functions. In a dehydrated state, the brain struggles to process and send electrical signals to the nervous system, resulting in a mental strain that spurs the onset of a tension headache.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you feel the onset of a tension headache, ask yourself how much water you drank throughout the day. The chances are a glass of purified water will help to relieve your symptoms.
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10.    Avoid Smoking and Alcohol<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Various adverse lifestyle <\/a>habits can lead to the development of tension headaches. People who smoke cigarettes are often unaware of the full extent of the damage that tobacco products unleash on the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cigarettes are toxic cocktails of dangerous chemicals that impact the health of every biological system and cell in your body. Smoking and dehydration cause a conflagration of issues in the brain and the body that may lead to the onset of a tension headache.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who overconsume or abuse alcohol are also at a higher risk of developing a tension headache. Alcohol harms the digestive and hormonal system, as well as the liver, and the kidneys. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the affected individual may not be able to efficiently clear toxins from the bloodstream and neural pathways, resulting in the onset of a tension headache. Dehydration is also another contributing factor in this case that may trigger the condition.
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11.    Get Enough Sleep<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Statistics show that one in every four Americans will develop a sleep <\/a>disorder at some stage in 2019. In 75-percent of cases, the disease is a temporary condition and resolves on its own in a few days or weeks. However, more than 50-million Americans live with chronic insomnia, and if left untreated, these individuals are at a higher risk of developing an adverse mental health issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who have insomnia cannot fall into the REM state of sleep. During this phase, the brain sweeps the neural pathways clean of toxins accumulated during the day. Instead of receiving the therapeutic benefit of seven hours of sleep, insomniacs toss and turn all night, or they might feel as if they could not tell if they were asleep or awake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following day, the brain’s neural pathways don\u2019t function optimally, and the affected individual feels symptoms of fatigue and mental duress. People susceptible to tension headaches may find that they experience an attack of the disorder as well.
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12.    Cut Out Histamine Foods<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The food we eat plays a significant role in our state of health. People who experience frequent migraine attacks may find that they have an allergy <\/a>to histamine, a compound found in the ingredients of fermented vegetables, cultured dairy, cured meats, and smoked fish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Histamine naturally occurs in the body, where it has the responsibility of helping to regulate digestion and immune function, as well as help to maintain optimal efficiency of the nervous system. Research shows that individuals who are prone to migraines may have a sensitivity to histamine may lack the enzymatic activity necessary for breaking it down in the gut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, cutting histamine foods from your diet may help to reduce the frequency, intensity, and duration of tension headaches. Go through your fridge and pantry, and toss out any fermented foods or cultured dairy. Replace them with healthy fat sources that are low in natural histamines, such as nuts and high-quality oils.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13.    Essential Oils<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Herbs and plants contain polyphenols, compounds that give them color, taste, and fragrance. Polyphenols <\/a>also have a range of medicinal and therapeutic benefits when consumed by humans. As a result, concentrated forms of beneficial herbs and plants may help to provide relief from a variety of physical and mental ailments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stress is a significant contributing factor in the development of a tension headache. Accumulated stress leads to inflammation of neural pathways in the brain, resulting in the onset of a migraine. The next time you feel like a migraine is setting in, run yourself a hot bath. Add a few drops of lavender and peppermint essential oil to the water and relax in the tub for 15 to 25-minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t have the time to take a bath, then you can replicate the effect using a bowl of hot water. Add some essential oils and drape a towel over your head. Position your face above the steam and breathe deeply. You should notice immediate relief from your symptoms.
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14.    Breathing Exercises<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most natural methods to relieve the symptoms of pain associated with a tension headache is to control your breathing. We take breathing for granted, and the brain’s automatic control of this vital function sometimes leaves us stuck on breathing autopilot for most of the day. Some people may go weeks without ever taking a deep breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To reduce pain symptoms associated with migraines, you need to activate your lymphatic system using your breathing. The lymphatic system<\/a> acts as one of the body\u2019s primary toxin filters, and by enabling it \u2013 you can help to clear your brain of toxins that may be responsible for the development of the headache.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breathe in slowly for 3-seconds, then exhale slowly for 7-seconds. By exhaling for twice as long as you inhale \u2013 you activate the lymphatic system., find a quiet spot, close the blinds, block out the noise with some headphones, and concentrate on your breathing.
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15.    Cold Compress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes, the simplest remedies offer the best relief. The next time you feel the onset of a tension headache, try using a cold compress for your head and relax on the couch with your eyes closed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cold compress has a soothing effect on the tissues around the forehead and temples, decreasing inflammation <\/a>responsible for the onset of the headache. Take a dishtowel, and soak it in ice water for a few minutes. Wring the towel and lay on the couch with your feet elevated. Lay the compress across your forehead, temples, and eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For best results, make a batch of chamomile tea and cool it off with some ice blocks. Soak the dishtowel or face cloth, and then relax on the couch with the comperes covering the areas mentioned above. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chamomile has nervine properties that help to relax the nervous system and induce feelings of calmness, soothing the symptoms of pain associated with a tension headache.
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16.    Fish Oil<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Did your mom tell you that eating fish makes you smart? Well, research suggests that mom\u2019s advice is correct. Fish oil contains a significant concentration of beneficial EFAs, compounds that enhance brain health. The EPA and DHA found in fish oil supplements help to reduce systemic inflammation responsible for the onset of a tension headache.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research shows that fish oil helps to improve memory recall, increase neuron activity, and clears neural pathways of toxins<\/a>. Including three to nine grams of fish oil in your diet lets, you take advantage of the potent anti-inflammatory properties of Omega-3 essential fatty acids. You can find fish oil available in 1-gram soft gel capsules, or bottled with additional flavor for easy dosage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you do decide on the oil over the capsules, then be aware that the EFAs turn rancid at room temperature, so store your fish oil in the fridge to maintain its shelf life.
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