Ah…the end of a long, hectic day. Now it’s time to sit back, kick your feet up and relax. But you can’t because your head is pounding. Sound familiar? Unfortunately it is an all too common experience for many of us as headaches affect women disproportionately more often then men. Fortunately there are some simple, effective headache remedies that can help you cope and ease the pain. I’m not a big proponent of using drugs to cure all that ails us and dealing with headaches is no exception. Unless you have severe, reoccurring, debilitating headaches, I recommend a more homeopathic method of managing. (And if you are having these types of headaches, contact your health care provider and find out what’s going on: there could be a much larger issue at hand!) Instead of medication, follow the following simple, effective remedies and your headaches could be a thing of the past:

Eat Healthy

The first and probably most effective way to remedy a headachy situation is to take a look at what you’re putting into your body. Everything we eat and drink affects us. And certain foods, especially caffeine and alcohol can cause severe headaches. Of course consuming a monstrous amount of alcohol can cause a headache the following day, but that’s another blog. Artificial sweeteners, food dyes and other processed foods can also cause headaches. Read the labels of everything you eat, so you know what you’re consuming and what, if any, impact it has on your cerebral well-being. It’s also important to be sure to eat on a regular basis: try not to let more than four hours go between meals as being hungry can spur on a headache. And as always, be sure to drink enough water (at least eight glasses a day): dehydration is a major cause of headaches.


Many women experience headaches right before their period begins. Often times these headaches are localized behind the eyes. To counter this, try eating foods rich in zinc such as beef, lamb, pork, turkey, chicken, lobster, clams and salmon. For those vegetarians out there, pumpkin seeds offer one of the most concentrated non-meat food sources of zinc.

Manage Stress: Exercise

Stress is the root of many a headache. Managing one’s stress is something we all struggle with, especially busy working women who are all too often pulled in a hundred different directions at once. But, exercise can help. I know it’s hard to stomach the idea of going for a jog when your head is pounding but trust me, getting your blood pumping and those endorphins flowing will ease the stress and diminish any brewing headaches. If your head really is just pounding way too much, go for a walk instead of a run. Or ride your bike outside for a bit. Even that little bit of movement will get the blood flowing, lessen your tension and ease any stress headaches.

Manage Stress: Meditation, Relaxation

Without all the religious connotations associated with it, at its core, meditation is basically conscious relaxation. There is no right or wrong way to do it. It’s your time for you. There are plenty of websites, books and/or classes out there to help you learn the finer techniques of meditation. But to get you started:

Find a quiet place to sit, a room with no distractions. Get comfortable, close your eyes and breathe. Focus on your breathing. Every time your mind starts to wander, bring it back to your breathing. Feel your lungs fill and then exhale slowly as your blood becomes enriched with oxygen. Do this for 15 minutes a day and you’ll be more relaxed, more focused and your headaches will diminish.

We are busy people, living full, hectic lives. We don’t have time for a headache. But if we slow down enough to take the time to make smart decisions about how we are living then we won’t be derailed by a headache. It’s really quite simple – eat smart, exercise and take time for yourself – it’s the most effective headache remedy out there.

Up Next…Artificial Sweeteners: A Dieter’s Friend or Worst Enemy?