Headaches can strike at the most inconvenient times, leaving you desperate for fast relief. While over-the-counter medications are one option, there are also natural methods that can help ease discomfort without reaching for a pill bottle. One surprisingly effective approach involves using just warm water and a cold compress.

How It Works

This method relies on a simple principle: redirecting blood flow to relieve pressure in your head.

Warm water soak for your hands and feet: When you place your hands and feet in warm or lukewarm water, the blood vessels in your extremities expand. This encourages blood to flow away from your head, easing pressure that contributes to headaches.

Cold compress at the base of your skull: Placing a cold pack (or even a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel) on the back of your neck or base of your head causes the blood vessels there to constrict. This helps reduce pain signals and inflammation.

Together, these actions balance circulation and provide a calming effect that can relieve many types of headaches, particularly tension headaches.

Step-by-Step Instructions