Headaches are one of the worst problems to have. It can inhibit us from doing our daily routine. We lose concentration, are unable to sleep and can alter your mood. Headaches are one of the most common health problem people experience when under stress, lack sleep or is over worked. Most of us depend on medication to help reduce headaches. However, depending on the medication too much can make us immune to it and cause us to take higher dosages. There are some people that also prefer to use alternative methods for curing their headaches. One of the least known cures for headaches can be found in your exercise equipment. Your yoga mat can be the answer to curing your headaches.
Headaches can be caused by numerous things such as back pain, tight shoulder, tension in the neck, stress and so on. These types of problems can be reduced with yoga. There are certain yoga positions that can help relax the mind, gently stretch muscles, improve blood circulation to your head and open up areas in the body. Below are some of these headache curing poses. Try them out and see for yourself.
Leg Raise
This pose is easy to do and can instantly ease the pain of headaches due to muscle tension or lack of blood circulation. All you’ll be needing is a wall and the option of using a mat. Start this position by placing your mat near a wall and sitting in the position nearest the wall. Lie back and inch your body close to the wall until your buttocks is touching the wall. Raise your legs straight in the air and keep them together. You can place a towel behind your neck or head if lying on the floor makes you uncomfortable. Extend your arms to the palm side facing upward. Stay in this position for a few minutes and perform breathing exercise. Stop when the headaches subside. Your body should be relaxed and unclench your jaw to help with breathing.
Quarter Dog
Downward facing dog is a great yoga pose that can help ease the muscles, but this move can be too much if you are already fighting off a headache. The easy alternative you can do is the Quarter Dog. This moves remove the tension on your wrist and hands. Start this position on all fours, but instead of your hands use your forearm to prop your body up. Place your palm firmly on the mat facing away your body. Take your right hand and place it behind your left elbow. Now, take your left hand and slide it forward until you feel a stretch from your hips towards the tip of your left fingers. Place your forehead on your right forearm and adjust the distance to where you are comfortable. Count backwards from 30 while doing breathing exercise. Return to the first position and repeat using the other arm. This pose can help improve blood circulation in your body to help relieve headaches.
Seated Twist
This pose is great for relieving headaches brought about by neck strain or tension in your hips or back muscles. It is fairly simple and you can do it right now sitting in front of your computer. Make sure you are sitting on a sturdy chair and one that doesn’t have an armrest. Sit on the edge of the chair with your back straight. Plant your feet firmly on the ground for balance. Press your buttock on the chair. Cross your left leg behind your right knee and take your left arm to the back of the chair and right hand to your right knee. Now Slowly turn to the left while exhaling. Keep your shoulder straight and body relaxed. Twist until your body is comfortable. Hold this position for 10 seconds, breathing in. Return to your first position and repeat on the other side.
Side Stretch
This is another move to help reduce tension headaches that you can do while sitting down. Sit on the edge of your chair and lift your arms beside your head. Grab your right wrist with your left hand. Breath in and slowly pull your right arms and wrist with your left hand – exhale while doing this. Move most of your weight towards your right hip. Hold this for 10 seconds and repeat on the opposite side.
You can do one pose until the headache subsides or do all of the poses as long as you do not feel too much tension or pain in your body. It is important to cure a headache once it appears. As the day goes on the pounding in your head can become a lot more painful. It can prevent you from getting work done and getting a good night’s rest. If you are not a fan of popping a pill to cure headaches. Try these easy yoga poses to help relax the body and ease headaches in just a few minutes. Share with us your way of naturally treating headaches!
