In an ideal world, we’d all avoid headaches completely by getting a good amount of sleep each night, exercising, eating a balanced diet, brushing off and saying no to that second glass of pinot. Headaches can be debilitating: they make it hard to function, difficult to see properly and they hurt. In short, headaches suck.

So what to do when you feel the tell-tale throbbing, prickly eyes and sudden stabbing stings throughout your entire skull?

Lock yourself away

One of the best ways to alleviate a headache is to shut out noise, light and distractions. If possible, lie down on a bed or couch in a quiet room, close your eyes and focus on your breathing for at least half an hour (try to fall asleep, if you can). Letting yourself relax can often be the best way to kick that nasty headache in the guts.

Bend and stretch

When we get a headache, the muscles around our neck and shoulders tense up and contribute to the pain. Doing a few simple stretches to loosen up the muscles can help ease the discomfort of a headache; make an appointment with a chiropractor for some easy exercises to do when headaches hit.

Focus on your pressure points

All your muscles are going crazy and spasming all over the place, so alleviate the bad feelings by giving your face, head and hands a little massage. Gently rub the sides of your face and head, on the bone beneath your eyes, just above your eyebrows, and the fleshy point of your hand between your thumb and forefinger.

Ice, ice baby (or Feeling hot, hot, hot)

Both are great songs. Both are great remedies for headaches and migraines. Applying a cold compress can calm inflammation, while a heat pack can relax tight muscles.

Headaches can be caused by dehydration

Drink plenty of water

Headaches are often caused by dehydration, so slowly sip a big glass of water at the first sign.

Relax

You know what else is a massive causer of headaches? Stress. Learning how to manage stress through yoga, massage, acupuncture and meditation may well be the answer to all your prayers: less headaches, less stress, better posture and more at one with yourself. Om on.

If you’re prone to headaches, monitor when you get them; is it when your boss puts you in charge of a massive project (with a tight deadline)? When your in-laws are coming for dinner? When you’ve had more than one coffee? Just before your period’s due? External factors can be huge influences on our health; getting to the root of the matter might be just the cure you’re looking for.

If you’re suffering from persistent headaches, see your doctor or chiropractor.