The transitional season often brings about traditional bouts of dizziness and headaches. If your blood vessels react painfully to leaden skies, fluctuations in atmospheric pressure, and sudden weather changes, try some tried-and-true remedies.
Healing Fingers
First, take off your hat to allow for proper blood circulation to your brain’s blood vessels, and give that migraine the middle finger. Using circular motions, massage your forehead along an imaginary line from your eyebrows to your hairline, through your head to the crown. Pay special attention to the painful spots. A five-minute massage, repeated at the same interval, can alleviate your discomfort in just fifteen minutes.
Your fingers also need some attention during a sharp headache. Start with an intense kneading of your thumb, then move to your index finger, and continue in order until you reach your pinky. Begin by massaging the fingers on one hand, then switch to the other. Be sure to apply pressure to the top part of the phalanges near the nails.
Interestingly, our hands have two “snuff boxes.” They are located on the outer side of the palms beneath the thumbs, where snuff tobacco was once placed. The area near the base of the thumb becomes noticeable when you extend and bend it. This “anatomical snuff box” appears as a hollow between the long muscle and the taut tendons. Move your thumb to the side on one hand, and with the thumb of the other hand, press on the indentation. Stimulate this point until the headache subsides.
Another effective method for headache relief is acupressure on the temples, bridge of the nose, and the dimples near the outer corners of the eyes. Each area should be massaged for about a minute. You’ll feel the effects quickly.
Drink and Rest
When you have a headache, lying down is always better than standing. A cold compress on your forehead and temples can also help.
If you don’t have any pills on hand, drink water instead. The liquid shouldn’t be too cold or too hot. A glass of room temperature water will thin the blood and relieve vascular spasms.
On the other hand, it’s best to avoid alcohol and cigarettes during magnetic storms and sudden weather changes. Don’t burden your body with toxins.
People sensitive to weather changes should strengthen their cardiovascular and nervous systems. A well-known remedy for weather sensitivity is dark grapes. The plant pigment melanin found in their skin helps adapt to adverse environmental factors. If your headache is due to anxiety and stress, soak a spoonful of raisins in cold water overnight and drink this infusion on an empty stomach in the morning. This drink stimulates the heart muscle.
Healthy Foods
If you’re prone to “weather-related” headaches, doctors recommend reducing the load on your digestive organs. Stick to a seasonal diet of plant-based foods, lean meats, and dairy products. Foods that help with headaches include whole grain bread, vegetables, and salads. The fiber in “rough” foods acts like a broom for your body.
Cabbage leaves can help alleviate nagging headaches. You can eat them or place them, inner side down, on your crown or apply them to your temples. Lemon halves can also do the trick. Additionally, it’s recommended to soak cotton pads in beet juice and apply them to your ears.
To avoid migraines, include eggs, soy, brewer’s yeast, grains, peanuts, liver, and fish in your diet. Your brain needs lecithin, while your blood vessels require collagen. Get used to drinking tea with lemon and consuming vitamin C: this will keep your blood vessels resilient for years to come.
Focus on blueberries, olive oil, walnuts, and beans: they help lower “bad” cholesterol levels. Engaging in activities like dancing, aerobics, or swimming will raise your “good” cholesterol levels. Autumn is no excuse to slow down your physical activity.