How to Never Get Headaches

Headaches are common -- but they are not normal.

When you are feeling "normal", everything is working as it should be. Your hormone levels are balanced, blood pressure, circadian rhythm, etc...is operating at full function.

Because headaches are so prevalent, some people just pass it off as part of the human experience.

When I was young, I used to snack on doughnuts and grape soda while watching cartoons, as part of my after school ritual. I would frequently get pounding headaches.

I didn't have the knowledge I do now about glycemic index and the dangers of processed foods.

So here are some other tips about preventing headaches I'd like to share:

Nutrition and Hydration 


Speaking of doughnuts and grape soda, eating properly is probably the number one way to avoid getting headaches. This means going no more than 5 hours during the day without eating and no more than 12-13 hours after sleeping.

One of my rules to live by: 10 by 10:  eat 10 grams of high quality protein by 10 a.m. (eggs; organic/all-natural bacon or sausage; whey; hemp or rice protein for vegetarians [no soy!]; unpasteurized dairy, etc...).

Try to eat at similar times of the day if you can and always eat a balanced meal. Every major meal should include veggies (which are carbs), protein and a little natural fat (avocado, olive oil, coconut oil).

I'm not a big fan of fasting, unless it's a once in a blue moon occurrence for religious purposes. Fasting can cause severe headaches. And so can not drinking water. Make sure you start your day right away by re-hydrating yourself with at 2-3 cups of water. Drink steady, small amounts frequently or as needed throughout the day.

Remember: Drink before you feel thirsty and eat before you feel hungry!

Sleep Patterns


Getting too little or too much sleep can potentially cause headaches. Try going to sleep at roughly the same time every night, especially during the week you should really begin winding things down by 10 p.m. and shutting down the laptop and other electronics.

Hormones


Especially for females who are on their cycle, headaches, including migraines, can be closely associated to estrogen levels. Immediately before menstruation estrogen is at the lowest level, thus possibly triggering headaches.


Although there's not much a female can do about ovulation menopause, there are ways to make sure hormone levels are balanced in general. One way to do this is a simple saliva test which measures cortisol (the stress hormone) and sex hormone levels. Contact me at 858.442.6861 for more information on this simple test.

Activity Level


According to Buddhist principles, life is all about taking the middle path. Moderation is key. Exercise should be no different. People engaged in highly strenuous workouts like boot camps and other forms of extreme fitness are at risk for developing headaches.

Blood vessels swell up as a result of the head and neck muscles needing extra blood flow. Too much exertion can cause pounding headaches. Unless you're a pro athlete or training for a competition, do daily moderate intensity exercise. The low end of high-end intensity training should be the limit.

Stress


Unless you're living in a third-world country with no access to clean water and readily-available healthy food sources, you really need to take a breath and learn what's truly important in life. Have an attitude of gratitude every day for the daily abundance you were lucky enough to be born into. Over half the world's population would love to trade places with you.

If you think about your problems that are needlessly plaguing you in this light, and start a daily meditation or yoga practice, your stress levels will go way down and perhaps those pesky headaches will go away.

Remedies


There are too many remedies to name, but for immediate relief of headaches, acupressure might do the trick, especially the Large Intestine 4 pressure point. No, you're not going to rub your large intestines; this meridian point can be found in the fleshy skin between the thumb and pointer finger. Apply pressure with your thumb and pointer finger or middle finger with your other hand.

If that doesn't work, take 2 aspirins and call me in the morning!