10 Tips to Relieve Headaches and Concussions

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When you get hit in the head, it can cause all kinds of problems. Concussions and headaches are both symptoms of brain injury. A concussion is a type of brain injury that occurs from a blow to the head or a sudden jolt to the head that causes your brain to move quickly and violently inside your skull. A headache is a symptom of many different things, including stress, dehydration, food allergies, sinus infections, common colds and overuse of certain muscles in your face. Both concussions and headaches can be very painful, but fortunately there are ways to manage both effectively. Here are 10 tips for relieving headaches and concussions:

Stay hydrated
Starting with the basics, it’s important to stay hydrated when you get a headache or a concussion. It’s easy to confuse dehydration for a headache, especially if you’re sick, or if it’s hot outside. You can get all the details on hydration in our other blogs, but suffice it to say that it’s crucial to keep your body properly hydrated so that your brain can function at its best.

Eat a brain-healthy diet
When your head hurts, it can be tempting to fill yourself up with so many sugary or salty foods, but these foods can lead to more headaches or make an existing headache worse. A headache is often accompanied by a drop in blood sugar. Eating blood sugar-spiking foods can definitely trigger headaches, as well as any head injury. So a brain-healthy diet is also a headache-fighting diet. Aim for whole grains, vegetables and proteins, such as beans, eggs, fish and lean meats, while avoiding trigger foods, such as simple sugars, red meats and refined grains.

Get plenty of sleep
Getting plenty of sleep is an important part of helping your body and mind heal. Sleep isn’t just a way of helping your body heal – it’s also a great way to avoid headaches in general. According to the American Academy of Neurology, getting plenty of sleep can help with headaches, as well as a wide variety of other health issues. Getting enough sleep can also help you avoid getting a concussion or a headache in the first place. Because sleep deprivation impairs your judgment, reaction times and ability to concentrate, sleep deprivation is a major risk factor for sports-related concussions.

Exercise your muscles
People often think of massage as a way to relieve tension in your muscles, but it can also be a great way to relieve headaches. If you’re prone to headaches, you may want to look into incorporating a massage regimen into your life. Acupressure can be used to treat headaches and migraines as well. The key with both of these things is to find the right pressure point to target your particular issue. It’s important to note that if you’re experiencing a migraine, you may want to see a doctor before attempting to treat it with acupressure or massage, as it could make the symptoms worse.

Use natural headache remedies
There are a few different natural remedies that can be used to help prevent headaches. If you’re prone to headaches, it can be helpful to keep a headaches journal, where you can record your triggers, so that you can avoid them in the future. Another great way to prevent headaches is to use a hot water bottle, which can help relax your muscles, or a cold compress. Apple cider vinegar is also a great natural remedy for headaches. So is peppermint oil – put a few drops on a cotton ball and place it on your temples to help relieve the headache. Another great way to alleviate headaches naturally is to practice stress-relieving activities, like yoga or meditation, which can help reduce stress and therefore help prevent headaches from occurring.

Use a bright light therapy box
A bright light therapy box can be a great way to help with both headaches and concussions. A BRIGHT light therapy box can help with headaches and migraines by increasing the flow of serotonin in your brain, which is the hormone that helps you feel calm and relaxed. A bright light therapy box can help with both headaches and concussions by speeding up the healing process in your brain. There are a lot of different BRIGHT light therapy boxes on the market, but you can also make one at home with a few simple supplies.

Use meditation and breathing techniques
There are a few different ways to use meditation to help with a headache or a concussion. First, you can use deep breathing exercises to help relieve the headaches and migraines. The best way to do this is to focus on one thing, like a particular word or sound, while you breathe slowly in and out. Another way you can use meditation to treat a concussion or headache is to meditate while you're in a BRIGHT light therapy box. This can help it be even more effective, as well as helping you relax and find peace during the headache, or while your brain is healing.

Take gentle motion exercises
If you’re recovering from a concussion or a headache, gentle motion exercises, like yoga, or slow walks outside, can be helpful when it comes to relieving headaches and a concussion. Like with the other techniques listed in this article, gentle motion exercises can help your brain heal faster, and can also help you find clarity and reduce the headaches you’re experiencing. Gentle motion exercises also help you de-stress and relax, which can also help alleviate headaches and a concussion. If you’re experiencing a concussion or a headache, it’s important to take it easy, but gentle motion exercises can be helpful. Start slowly and make sure to listen to your body, especially if you’re experiencing a headache. Don’t do anything that hurts too much, and always err on the side of caution.

Talk to your doctor about medication options
If you’ve tried all of the above suggestions, and you’re still experiencing frequent headaches, it might be a good idea to talk to your doctor. There are a number of different medications that can help with headaches and a concussion, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or an Excedrin migraine. Always check with your doctor before taking any kind of medication, though. You may be able to get a prescription for something that is less likely to cause side effects. There are also a number of other medication options that can help with headaches and a concussion. Always talk to your doctor about the different options before taking any kind of medication.

Avoid Heavy head contact when possible
Finally, if you’re someone who plays sports, or is around sports a lot, you may want to consider taking steps to avoid getting a concussion or a headache in the first place. The number one way to do this is to wear a helmet. You should also wear proper protective gear when doing activities like skating or biking, which can help prevent a concussion. You should also take care to avoid hitting your head when you’re not playing sports as well. Be careful when you’re walking around and avoid laying down in places where you could hit your head, like on low-hanging branches, or in a hammock.