Come winter, and our minds automatically think of holidays, vacations, and winter sports. But for some, the winter also brings along those severe headaches, playing the spoilsport in their vacation plans. 

Yes, the decrease in temperature has scientifically been proven to cause seasonal headaches in many people, especially those already having migraine-linked conditions. 

The good news is that this type of headache can be handled majorly with easy home remedies. But, before we get into that, let us first understand why this happens.

The drop in temperature affects our bodies in more ways than we think. If you can recall studying in your geography lessons, the decreased temperature causes a low-pressure area in your surroundings. This difference in pressure causes discomfort in our sinuses, just like when we fly on an aeroplane. Additionally, the pressure difference disrupts our blood pressure mechanism by constricting our blood vessels, which can also be a significant factor for those nasty headaches.

Another factor is the change in humidity (moisture content) during winters. Our skin is visibly drier during winters causing us to reach out to our armamentarium of winter creams, lotions, and body butter. But, what about inside the body?

Dehydration within can cause the mucus in our sinuses to thicken and lead to sinus infections and sinus headaches. Although this is different from a seasonal headache, it is possible to confuse one with the other. Hence, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor if you experience these headaches quite frequently so they can detect the real reason behind the headache. Also Read: I GAVE UP ALL BEVERAGES EXCEPT WATER FOR 30 DAYS AND THE RESULTS WERE REMARKABLE!

Here is a roundup of some diet and lifestyle tips to keep in mind during these chilly months.

Although they may sound too simple, they are no less effective in keeping your symptoms in check.

Keep Yourself Warm

Good winter clothing covering the head, ears, mouth, and chest is essential to protect oneself from the harsh weather. A whizz of cold air can act as a trigger for the headache, and in turn, will induce the underlying migraine. Protecting oneself is equally important while enjoying the weather.

Change What You Eat

Likewise, consuming foods that will keep you warm is essential to prevent headaches during winter. In general, foods that take longer to digest can produce more heat in the body, counteracting the effect of the weather. 

• Ginger can keep you warm as it has the property of producing heat inside the body. A hot cup of ginger tea or infused water can keep you warm for a long time. Also, ginger can easily be added to our meals as it enhances the flavour of many dishes.
• Oatmeal is another heat-producing food that can be effortlessly included in our routine. As well known that it is, oats are full of fibre and take more time to get digested, hence keeping you warm throughout.
• Sweet potato is also another heat-producing vegetable. 
• Chicken and red meat are other foods that can induce a good amount of heat inside the body. It also increases the iron and vitamin B12 levels, which is critical to prevent cold feet and hands in cool climates.

Winter is also the time of the year when we forget to drink water often. But staying hydrated has its role in preventing winter headaches. 

Dehydration can cause hypothermia and thereby trigger migraine. Proper hydration has been proven to maintain internal temperature.

• Clarified butter (Desi Ghee) provides the fats to the body, which in turn provides heat while being broken down.
• Whole grains like pearl millet, finger millet are sources of warm foods. Dates, Apricots also provide warmth during the winter.
• Consuming foods rich in Vitamin D to compensate for the lack of sunlight exposure makes sure that the headaches are not triggered due to overall tiredness and fatigue.
• Sleeping enough: Change in sunlight hours during winter can disturb the normal sleep cycle. But it is crucial to get the required amount of 6 to 7 hours of sleep at night. This helps regulate the internal temperature cycle and maintain optimal body heat. 
• Exercise: The biggest challenge is to get oneself motivated to move the body during cold mornings. As we all know, exercise not only increases the body temperature, but it is also the only chance for the body to excrete toxins through sweat, which is not possible otherwise.

get rid of a winter headache in 5 natural wa¥s:

1. A decoction of dried ginger, two pieces of amla (Indian Gooseberry) with a pinch of turmeric powder when consumed warm will help reduce the headache. 

2. Lavender and peppermint oils have an excellent ability to fight these types of headaches. Massaging them around the temples can give good symptomatic relief.

3. Consuming magnesium-rich foods like almonds, sunflower seeds, oats, bananas, and figs give the body the ability to conduct neurons efficiently, thus providing relief from the headache.

4. Yoga can help relax the tensed minds, and there are few asanas specifically meant to reduce such headaches. Shavasana is a powerful asana to calm oneself, and Hastapdasana, Setu bandhasana, and Balasana are known to improve blood circulation to the head and increase the oxygen supply to the brain.

5. Breathing exercises and meditation can also provide relief from these problems. They not only relax the body but also improve the pain tolerance threshold of the person. This is an immensely effective strategy to deal with winter headaches in the long run.

Headaches can be annoying; they wreck the day and do not allow us to be productive. Hence, it becomes mandatory to take precautions to prevent them, especially during winters. Follow a healthy lifestyle and incorporate all the simple tips mentioned above to keep the migraines at bay and enjoy your winter break to the max!