Affiliate Disclaimer
Some links in this article are affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we find useful to our readers
If you are a caffeine addict and have been experiencing persistent headaches and discomfort, chances are that you are suffering from a caffeine headache. Finding natural ways to get rid of caffeine headache isn’t the easiest which is why it is important that you of the few ways that work.
Caffeine does no good to your body when consumed in large quantities which is why it is quite important that you focus on finding better alternatives to avoid the side effects like the caffeine headache.
In here, we are going to share some of the best ways to treat a caffeine headache in no time.
What is Caffeine Headache?
If you were a caffeine addict and needed too many cups in a day to function, chances are that the sudden stopping of the consumption can lead to discomfort and caffeine headache which are the withdrawal symptoms.
It is true that the experience is quite painful and does end up affecting the overall well being of an individual which is why it is important that you find better ways to cope with the situation before it gets worse.
Why Does Caffeine Headache Happen?
If you have recently stopped drinking any source of caffeine abruptly, chances are that the same could be a contributing factor behind the condition of caffeine headache.
For those wondering why this is a possibility, it happens mainly because of the changes inflicted on the shape and size of the blood vessels. Caffeine has a tendency to constrict the blood vessels, hence when one stops drinking caffeine; the blood vessels become dilated, causing the immense headache and discomfort that you could be encountering.
Signs and Symptoms of Caffeine Withdrawal
When it comes to identifying the condition of caffeine withdrawal, know for a fact that there are a number of signs and symptoms that you can look out for.
Some of the most common symptoms of caffeine withdrawal include:
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Lethargy
- Disoriented feeling
How to Get Rid of A Caffeine Headache?
If you have been experiencing consistent headache as a side effect of the caffeine withdrawal, know for a fact that there are ways that can help in mitigating the situation.
It is very important that you find better alternatives to this without fail. Caffeine itself never imposes any kind of good impacts on the body which is why it isn’t surprising at all that the withdrawals aren’t nice as well.
To help you cope with the condition, we have listed out some of the natural ways to get rid of caffeine headaches in no time.
1. Take Over the Counter Medication
If you do want some immediate treatment for caffeine withdrawal because of the constant discomfort that you have been experiencing, the best option at hand is to opt for the over the counter medications.
There are several pain relievers that are available in the market and does come in handy in helping improve the condition of the caffeine headache.
Some of the most common pain relievers include ibuprofen, aspirin etc. Make sure that you consult your doctor if you have special medications that you consume on a daily basis. The last thing you want is to hinder with the impacts of those important medicines on your body.
2. Apply Peppermint Oil
If you have been looking for ways to stop caffeine headache, an amazing natural remedy is to use the peppermint essential oil. The active compound in the peppermint oil, menthol, has been found to have beneficial impacts in helping improve the condition of the pain and even relax your mind and body.
Even in a conducted study (R), it was found that the topical application of the peppermint oil for the condition of persistent effect proved better than the natural over the counter medication.
It is always best suggested that you dilute the oil first and then opt for the application to prevent any negative impacts on the skin. If possible, take a few drops onto your palm and apply some carrier oil and then apply the same on the sides of the forehead for better results.
3. Aromatherapy
Another one of the effective remedies for treating caffeine withdrawal is by using aromatherapy. There are several essential oils that are worth noticing. If you do want to relax your mind and prevent the unnecessary side effects that you are expected, we would suggest that you look into the possible options involved.
There are several essential oils that have proven benefits on helping improve the condition for the better. They do include ginger, lavender and a few others.
4. Make Better Choices
If you are done struggling with the condition of the pain and the discomfort, the best way to cope with that is by making better choices when it comes to your food.
You don’t necessarily want discomfort lingering which is the reason why it is best that you replace the caffeine with something that’s healthy for your body.
Opt for caffeine free alternatives because gradual withdrawal from the same is always considered the best option.
5. Keep Yourself Hydrated
If you want to know of the treatment for caffeine withdrawal, your water content in the body is one of the most important factors.
Dehydration is often considered as one of the most common reasons behind the persistent headache that one experiences following the caffeine withdrawal.
If you have been looking for natural ways to get rid of caffeine withdrawal, the best way to ensure that is by maintaining proper levels of hydration without fail.
While looking after the hydration levels in the body, it is also important that you focus on not overdoing the same as well because that does end up making things worse.
Further Reading: Remedies For Dehydration For Immediate Relief
6. Cold Compression
Another amazing one of the ways to get rid of caffeine headache is by using cold compression. If you are wondering what or why, the cold compression helps in numbing the pain and providing temporary relief from the headaches.
The ice packs also alter the blood flow around the area, thus preventing further issues with the headache that you could be experiencing.
In a conducted study, it was found that placing some cold compression or ice on the carotid artery does help in reducing the pain and the headache that you could be struggling with.
7. Get Some Quality Sleep
Rest is one of the best ways to cure a caffeine headache. While not many would realize this, it actually does help in improving the condition and getting rid of the symptoms altogether.
Sleep helps the body rest and heals and prevents your brain and the blood vessels from going in overdrive. It might seem hard to sleep through a caffeine headache but you need to try and be determined with the process to experience better results in the end.
Getting 8-9 hours of sleep or sneaking a nap in between has been proven to have amazing benefits in helping improve the condition of caffeine headache.
Further Reading: How to Have Better Sleep at Night
8. Eat a Balanced Diet
If you have been struggling with lack of sleep, the one thing that you can do to change that is by eating a balanced diet. It isn’t the worst thing in the world to do but, if you want the best results, it is quite important that you consume all the necessary macro and micronutrients.
For those who tend to rely on just one source of nutrition, now is the time to make changes immediately.
Additionally, eating mindfully also does play a very crucial impact on the process, thus making this an important treatment for caffeine withdrawal.
9. Avoid Added Caffeine
It is not just the coffee or tea that you are drinking that contains caffeine, there are a number of other elements that do too.
If you want a healthy mind and body, it is a given that you need to focus on getting better through the process. The best way to do so is by ensuring that you avoid caffeine from any possible sources around.
Avoid drinking the caffeinated beverages as well like soda and such because even those have negative impacts on the body in the long run.
10. Stimulate the Pressure Points
When it comes to natural ways to get rid of caffeine headache, stimulating your pressure points is considered one of the best ways. The reason why that is the case is because of the fact that these pressure points are associated with several body functions and outcomes.
Applying an optimal amount of pressure on these points have been found to have amazing benefits in helping improve the conditions of the headaches by easing the persistent muscle tension.
Even a conducted study (R) found that indulging in a month-long acupressure treatment does have beneficial impacts in helping relieve the chronic headache that one suffers from.
Pressing down on the base of your thumb and index finger has amazing benefits in helping improve the condition of the headache and stops it from getting worse.
11. Manage Your Stress
Apart from the caffeine withdrawal, it has been found that stress does play a very crucial role in the worsening headache as well. If you want quicker recovery from the same, it is best that you find better stress management methods that will keep your health tamed.
Severe Side Effects of Caffeine Withdrawal
If you have left drinking caffeine abruptly, there are chances that you will experience the side effects of caffeine withdrawal. The condition is not favourable at all and is thus important that you identify the side effects and combat them at the earliest.
Some of the common side effects of caffeine withdrawal include:
- Excessive headache
- Dizziness
- Jitters
- Constant unrest
- Hallucinations
- Irritation
- Lack of energy
How Long Does A Caffeine Withdrawal Last?
When it comes to describing how long the caffeine withdrawal lasts, the same can range from a few days to even a few months. If the latter is happening, it is necessary that you consult a doctor.
Several of the studies have also found that caffeine is so addictive that giving up on it once and for all can often inflict symptoms similar to that of drug withdrawal. It is why it is important that you don’t go cold turkey and instead reduce the amount of caffeine one day at a time.
This lets your body adjust to the changes thus ensuring faster recovery and reduces the duration of the withdrawal that you are experiencing.
If you have been looking for the natural ways to get rid of caffeine headache, we have sorted you out with some of the best ones. Make sure that you don’t let the same overwhelm your senses because the results are never favourable. It is important that you stick along with the best caffeine alternatives to further ensure better health for yourself.
