It’s time for your Friday Fit and Healthy Lifestyle Tip!
Do you suffer from constant headaches? I used to until I started exercising on a regular basis.
Today’s Tip: Exercising for headache relief
Exercising increases circulation and reduces tension that can come from stress. As most people know, exercise helps reduce toxins from the body which also helps with headache relief. Drinking plenty of water and eating healthy are even more ways that help. And be sure that you are breathing correctly while working out because that makes a big difference as well. Breathe in through the nose, out the mouth.
I still get the occasional headache and the first step I take to try to relieve it is exercising. Everyone looks at me funny when I tell them that my headaches usually go away after a quick workout and that they should try it.
Cardio exercise like spinning/cycling, Elliptical and at home walking workouts work best for me in this case and 9 times out of 10 my headache is gone. In the event it doesn’t fully go away, a quick cool shower usually solves the problem. I don’t have experience with yoga but I have heard that through it’s stretching and relaxation techniques it also helps with headache relief.
I personally prefer to try for natural headache relief over medication so exercising usually does the trick. Exercising doesn’t always take my headaches away but it definitely drastically reduces the intensity of the headache.
I decided to write about this today because I have experienced more headaches this week than I had in a very long time and all but one time my headaches went away immediately after working out. Of course this is only my personal experience and you should definitely consult with your physician before taking any headache issues in your own hands.
Have you found that exercising helps with your headaches?
I never would have thought of this! I do find that drinking water helps sometimes. Next time I get a headache I’ll try going for a bike ride or walk (I don’t have an eliptical unfortunately)
The first few steps must be the hardest!
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The typical stress of the day builds up and there is just no outlet anymore. Most of us have heard of “fight or flight”, headaches can be the effect of no action on that. Our adrenaline is completely built up with no outlet.
Glad that it helps your headaches usually. I am thankful I rarely get headaches. I’m a big baby when it comes to them. lol
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Have you checked your blood pressure? Exercising causes blood vessels to dilate allowing more blood to flow and decreasing the blood pressure.Medines such as Migral achieve the same objective without exercise but can leave you feeling yucky. I suffered for years with headaches as did my father. (possibly hereditary) anyhow, I have found that half a Migral when I feel a headache coming on stops the migraines I used to have and have so far had 3 months of relatively pain free existance. This almost eliminating the need for asprin based tablets which you can become addicted to.
Yes, Jan the first steps are the hardest but once I get going the headache dissipates. I can’t believe how much better I feel.
Thanks Val!
Hi Mike! BP is good. Like I mentioned, I personally try not to take any meds but rather exercise first but thanks for the recommendation.
I always have headaches. Maybe this could be the answer!
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It’s a quick and natural way to see if it will help with headaches. Can’t guarantee it will but it doesn’t hurt to try. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
First, I apologize for this reply being so long.
I followed this link from Lynn Terry’s SSWT Forum > Angie Newton’s Monday Motivators. I started getting migraines in 2004 after several rounds of spinal injections for a back injury. The last time I went I was getting four nerve blocks. The first three went fine, but the last one didn’t. I told him it wasn’t numb. He said it was numb because he just numbed it. I told him it didn’t feel right, and it took forever for the medication vial to empty. He even had me roll over on my side, the gravity thing. Then he showed me a fluoroscope and said it was in textbook perfect position. It didn’t help my back at all. Then “Dr. Anesthesiologist” wanted to do a nerve ablation (look it up). I told him I was having bad migraines. To which he said, “I’m not treating you for headaches, I’m treating your back problem.” I canceled the day of the nerve ablation procedure and told the nurse, if my back hurt as bad as my head after he did that procedure I was going to blow my head off and I didn’t want to take that chance. So, I started going to a neurologist and began taking migraine preventative medication that makes me dumb as a fence post, but it helps the headaches. At that time I couldn’t exercise because I couldn’t even walk. LOL But, I was also having migraines that lasted for three weeks. At the same time I was visiting colleges with my youngest daughter.
Now, I take Imitrex 100mg with a caffeine drink like coffee or Coke and take a nap. When I get migraines with aura’s and sound sensitivity, sunglasses and earplugs are my saviors, but that’s inside the house. I’ve had three migraines since Oct. 1 already, but I’m also trying to wean off the preventative medications. I’m almost there.
I’ve never thought about exercising when I get a migraine. Never thought I could. Next time I’ll try a walk around the block.
Yes, I get tension and sinus headaches and I have also found that exercising does help – especially when I use my rebounder. Excellent info!!
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WOW Cindy, I am sorry to hear about your constant headaches. I sure hope they find something that works for you soon.
Pat, thanks, it’s odd and I thought I was the only one it worked for but glad to hear it helps you too. Never thought to jump on the rebounder when I get one. I’ll do that for sure.
I find that getting my heart rate over 130 for 20 minutes nearly always relieves headache pain, and nearly always prevents an ordinary headache from morphing into a full blown migraine.
To start may be pure agony, but I have found that I am nearly always rewarded when I push past the initial acute discomfort.