It’s really hard to be patient and kind, the mom I want to be….when I have a headache. Over the last few weeks I made a conscious effort to overcome this annoying ailment. Maybe it was the stress of my job or my diet putting me at risk but I tried a few things and it worked. I’ve compiled a list of ways that help me prevent daily headaches. If you want to put an end to the pain and grumpiness, read on.
Increase your intake of liquid. Dehydration is a common cause of headaches, so you may just need to drink more. Try and drink at least two litres a day. Stay away from soft drinks that are full of sugar. It could also be beneficial to cut down your intake of caffeine as there are studies that show it could dehydrate you further. If you find it a struggle drinking plain old water, treat yourself to a low-sugar squash or try out soda water. I enjoy adding fresh lemon or a drop of lemon essential oil.
Rest up. Most parents I know are tired and the lack of sleep could provoke symptoms. Some people can function on between four and six hours, but the majority of adults need at least seven hours every night. Of course, this depends on age and other external factors. You’ll also need to make sure you get a good quality of sleep. This means an unbroken sleep pattern. If you spend the hour before bed relaxing rather than being active, you’ll have a better night’s sleep and will feel heaps better in the morning.
Get your eyes checked. If you get regular headaches, they could be a telltale sign of poor eyesight. Once our eyesight starts to deteriorate, our eyes need to work harder. This can cause stress and strain in them, which translate into headaches. Visit your local optician to see if your eyes are the cause of your pain. If so, you’ll start to feel much better once you start wearing prescription glasses or contact lenses. Eye drops are another great investment that can help protect against unwanted headaches.
Don’t overdo the alcohol. Headaches are one of the big symptoms of a hangover. The more often you drink, the bigger chance you have of feeling headachey. Cut down on your amount of alcohol consumption and you’ll start to feel better. When you are out drinking, make sure you drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Even if you don’t drink much; you need to ensure you are having a few alcohol-free days during the week. I gave up one glass of wine and it made a huge difference in my headaches and sleeping better as well.
Take a break from your screens. Most of us are glued to computer, tablet and mobile phone screens these days. This can cause eyestrain and lead to headaches. Frequent breaks from your screen can help you reduce your headaches. Aim for a break every thirty minutes or so. Or invest in a very large monitor that you can plus your lap top into. This made a huge difference in my day!
I hope some or all of these tips will help make your daily headaches a thing of the past. Now you can enjoy spending time with your family without feeling grumpy or being distracted by pain!!
This post is sponsored but the opinions are my own and should not be considered medical advice. Photo Credits: lemon water, screen time
