9 Ways To Prevent A Headache And The Misery That Comes With It

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If you're one of the 22 million women who suffer from regular headaches and migraines, we don't have to tell you that the first few pangs of a headache can feel as ominous as the theme from Jaws. Give your half-dozen pill cases (you know, the ones you keep in every purse) a rest, and follow these tricks to stop the pounding before it starts.  

Choose appetizers wisely.
Foods that are smoked, pickled, dried, or aged—a.k.a., all the good stuff—likely contain sulfites, which dilate blood vessels and can cause headaches.

Keep to your caffeine schedule.
Manic Mondays feel like a prime time for headaches, but weekends are a stealth contender: When you sleep in, everything gets pushed back a little—including your daily cup of coffee. Withdrawal headaches can be avoided by sticking to a consistent schedule, so set your alarm clock and ease into your Saturday with a cup of Joe like you would on any ol' Wednesday. (You'll be reaping these head to toe health benefits on your days off, too.)

Drink plenty of water.
There's a good reason you hear this advice over and over—headaches are often the result of dehydration, says Frank Lipman, MD, an integrative physician and founder of Eleven Eleven Wellness Center in New York City. This is especially true if your diet is high in caffeine or sugar, which can dehydrate you even more. (You'll want to cut down on the sweet stuff when you get a load of these 11 weird things sugar's doing to your body.)

Breathe deeply.
The next time you're ready to totally lose it, stop and focus on taking a few calming breaths—try four counts in, seven counts out. When you're anxious, you take shorter breaths, and less oxygen means tighter blood vessels: Boom, headache. Keep your breathing calm and steady to avoid pain.

Try this tennis ball massage.

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Built up tension in your body can trigger a headache, says Lipman. Simple self massages like this one releasee tension in the upper back, neck, and shoulders. "Do this before bed to unwind and relax tense muscles, and prevent tension headaches," he says.

  3. Slowly lower head and shoulders down.
  5. Lift your arms to the ceiling, then move the tennis balls slowly toward knees, then back toward the wall behind you.

    Turn off your computer.
    No surprise here: Staring at a bright screen all day puts strain on your eyes and can too easily lead to an achy brain. Plus, the flashing images, not to mention toggling between Facebook and Pinterest, can over-activate your retina and the nerves in your eyes, another cause of head pain. Try to take a 10-minute break for every hour you're online to stave off headaches.

    Don't linger at the pump.

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    Many people are allergic to certain scents, with the most common symptom being—you guessed it—a killer headache. Three smells that tend to trigger reactions are gasoline, tobacco, and perfume. Stash a small vial of all-natural lavender or peppermint oil in your glove compartment to distract your senses when it's time to fill up the tank.

    Slip on your shades.
    A headache during a beautiful sunny day is the worst—but that sunshine can mess with your brain's thalamus, which sends pain signals to your body. To stay safe from the glare, have polarized sunglasses with UVA/UVB protection at the ready.

    Stock up on herbs.

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    For a classic herbal remedy, try 200 mg of active magnesium, which reduces muscle tension and spasms. "It works by balancing the nervous system," explains Lipman. "It also has a calming effect, which can help you relax aching, tense muscles." It's best for headaches that you know are coming, like the menstrual kind, so you're able to take a dose the day before. Rosemary can ease the blood vessels, too.

    MORE: 100 Tips And Tricks To Fight Pain Naturally

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