Self Help

In order to eliminate headaches, you must monitor certain changes that are described below. Keep in mind that it could take several weeks before you notice any significant improvement. But many changes will take place in your body as soon as you start adapting to a healthier lifestyle.

The following factors will provide you with a feedback and will tell you whether you are on the right track. This will also give you the necessary motivation to continue your new approach toward a healthier lifestyle.

Monitor changes to your cardiovascular system: Monitoring changes in your blood pressure and resting heart rate is very simple. To determine your blood pressure at home, you need a blood pressure monitor which is available in most pharmacies. Each measurement yields two numbers, one called the systolic pressure and the other called diastolic. Normal blood pressure in the average healthy adult is about 120/80 (120 over 80.) This means that the systolic pressure is 120 and the diastolic pressure is 80.

Find your pulse by feeling the wrist of one hand with the fingertips of the other hand. Then count the number of heartbeats per minute. A healthy heart rate will be between 50 and 65 beats per minute, depending on your age and gender. When taking your blood pressure or heart rate, you should be in a resting position and should not have been doing any physical activity for some time before the measurement. The best time to take them is in the morning or after a long resting period.

Monitor your body fat: High blood fat is a major cause of headaches. Reducing the amount of fat you eat and increasing your physical activity will change the composition of your body. You will build up more muscle mass, which will replace stored fat in your body, therefore decreasing your percentage of body fat.

Monitor your digestive problems: Heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, and flatulence are common digestive ailments resulting from an unhealthy lifestyle. As you are adapting to a more balanced nutrition, increased physical activity, and less stress, you will experience fewer digestive problems. Monitoring these changes serves as an important indicator that changes are occurring. Remember that if you modify your diet too suddenly, you may experience a temporary increase in certain digestive problems. But with time, you will be pleasantly surprised to see your digestive problems diminish or completely disappear.

Monitor your psychological symptoms: With stress management and increased physical activity, many psychological problems such as fatigue, anxiety, depression, or insomnia should start to resolve themselves.

Monitoring your progress is an important part of a successful headache-prevention program. Observing gradual changes taking place will reassure you that your new lifestyle is working for you, and it will motivate you to continue. You will find that you will have fewer, less severe headaches as well as better, overall health.