Headaches are common, but the best ways to relieve them differ for everyone.

Fortunately, you could use several research-backed methodsincluding many natural remediesat home to quickly relieve headaches.

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An image of a woman with a headache wrapped in a blanket

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Try Self-Massage

Tension headachesare commonly brought on by tightness in the face, neck, and shoulder muscles.

Gently self-massaging tense muscles around the head and neck can effectively relieve headaches due to muscle tightness.

Apply Acupressure

Acupressureinvolves applying pressure to specific points on the body to help relax muscles.

Lauren Schlanger, MD

you might do this several times a day until symptoms improve.

Relaxation practices that have proved to help reduce headache pain and frequency include:

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Dim the Lights

Sensitivity to light (photophobia) is very common with migraines.

What’s more, 100% reported their headaches returning in the days after they started chewing gum again.

Rest Your Eyes

Eye strainfrom behaviors likelooking at screensfor an extended period can lead to discomfort and headaches.

Dry eye or having the wrong prescription glasses or contact lenses can cause eye strain and headaches.

Stay Hydrated

Dehydrationis closely linked to headache pain and severity.

Eat a Nutritious Snack

Missing a meal or going without eating for too long can trigger ahunger headache.

Low blood sugar and other factors can cause this.

Eating something nutritious containing protein and complex carbohydrates should eliminate a hunger headache.

Eating daily, regular meals with enough protein and complex carbohydrates can also help prevent hunger headaches.

Have a Little Caffeine

Consuming caffeine by drinking coffee or tea may reduce headache pain in some people.

However,caffeine withdrawalcan also trigger headaches in those who regularly consume caffeine and suddenly stop.

Caffeine triggers headaches in up to 10% of patients.

Getting adequate sleep can help reduce headache frequency and intensity.

Consider Supplements

Research shows certain supplements might help reduce headache occurrence and severity when taken over time.

They include:

Supplements can cause side effects and interact with certain medications.

Always contact a healthcare provider before starting any supplements.

Take an OTC Headache Reliever

Certainover-the-counter (OTC) pain relieverseffectively help with headache pain.

They include:

OTC pain relievers can cause serious side effects and aren’t suitable for everyone.

Talk to a healthcare provider before taking these medications if you are:

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These remedies often bring relief quickly, although some are designed to work gradually.

Just as headache triggers are different for everyone, so are the best methods to relieve them.

Mount Sinai.Managing tension headaches at home.

2023 Jun;32(11-12):2455-2465. doi:10.1111/jocn.16368

Harvard Health Publishing.4 ways to tame tension headaches.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Acupressure for pain and headaches.

American Migraine Foundation.Do I need to have my eyes checked if my head hurts?

Zdunska A, Cegielska J, Zdunski S, Domitrz I.Caffeine for headaches: helpful or harmful?

InformedHealth.org.Using medication: learn more the safe use of over-the-counter painkillers.

National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Headache.