1: Drink Plenty of Water!
Dehydration is one of the leading causes of headaches and can be a contributing factor in migraines too. It’s thought that even just a 2% reduction of water in the brain can cause headaches! Many people are chronically dehydrated and don’t even realise. If you’re a headache or migraine su erer (or even if you’re not!) try to drink between 1.5-2 litres of water each day.
2: Avoid Known Triggers
Many migraine su erers have triggers that can bring on a migraine attack. The most common include chocolate, wine, cheese, sulphites and co ee. If you’re a migraine su erer keep a food diary. Log everything you eat and drink and look out for any patterns so you can avoid the foods that could be triggering your migraines.
3: Take A Magnesium Supplement
Studies have shown that magnesium supplements can help reduce the frequency and severity of headaches and migraines. Magnesium is an essential nutrient, but thanks to overfarming and the poor-quality, western diet it’s thought that around 75% of people don’t meet their daily requirement through food alone. Supplements have been shown to reduce the frequency of migraine attacks by up to 41%.
4: Ask your Chiropractor!
Chiropractic isn’t just for bad backs. Certain headaches called cervicogenic headaches, stem from joint and muscle tension in the mid-back, shoulders and neck. Treating these areas can help alleviate headaches and the associated symptoms-we’ve had amazing results with a range of patients at the clinic.
5: Reduce Your Stress Levels
Stress is a huge contributor to headaches and migraines so it’s essential that you keep your stress levels in check. For most people, daily life is stressful – whether that’s from working, juggling a family or other stressful situations. So if you’re adding to your stress every day, it makes sense to work on reducing it each day too. Meditation is a great way to relieve stress and with the many meditation apps available it can be quick and easy too.
