Does this scenario sound familiar?

You have a million things to do today. However, you step outside and notice an approaching storm. This wasn’t in the weather report for today! You feel the pressure begin to build in your head. Panic sets in! You’ve been in this position before – stormy conditions always trigger your migraine. You feel helpless – what can you do?

You are not alone – over 60% of migraine sufferers report that weather is a trigger for their headaches.

This can be very frustrating and have a significant impact on your quality of life.

How can you lessen the occurrence of your headaches? You can’t control the weather!

Fortunately, there are several techniques that can help!

The Correlation Between Weather and Headaches

A variety of weather conditions may be triggers for your headache. According to the Mayo Clinic, these include:

• Changes in barometric pressure
• Extreme hot or cold temperatures
• Bright sunlight
• High humidity
• Windy or stormy weather
• Dry air

Unfortunately, the correlation between weather and headaches has been a challenge for scientists. Several studies, such as one in 2015 and another in 2011 , have been inconclusive on exactly what factors trigger headaches and why.

What these studies have shown is that weather-induced headaches vary by individual. Therefore, it is important that you pay careful attention to what triggers your own headaches.

Keeping a headache diary can be an excellent way to track your headaches. Including information about the weather in each entry will help determine what weather conditions you are sensitive to.

Knowing your triggers will help you be alert to the signs and be ready with the following preventative measures.

What Can You Do About Weather Headaches That Cause A Feeling Of Pressure In Your Head?

While you can’t control the weather, there are several steps you can take to alleviate your symptoms when you feel a headache coming on due to storms or barometric pressure changes. There are also a number of practices you can incorporate into your daily or weekly routine to lessen your susceptibility.

Essential Oil Massage

Mix 3-5 drops of frankincense essential oil with 3 tablespoons of coconut oil. Massage your temples and under the hairline on the back of your neck. You can use this technique when you feel the weather changing. I also recommend that you do this daily as a preventative technique.

If you haven’t worked with essential oils before, know that quality is the key to getting the desired effects. Do your research, and purchase your oils from a reputable source.

Lymph Drainage Massage

Another technique for immediate relief is a 5-min lymph drainage massage. This can be done when you first notice the signs of a headache and as a daily practice.

Get Better Sleep

Did you know that your brain shrinks at night and glymphatic drainage increases dramatically? Proper drainage can significantly decrease your risk of headaches. Therefore, focusing on sleep quality and optimization for brain drainage can make a significant difference.

Proper sleep has worked wonders for my headaches, making me more resilient to weather changes, too! Read my top 10 strategies for improving sleep.

Try these first three tips immediately to see if they make a difference in the occurrence of your headaches. If you don’t see a significant change, you can also try the following:

Massage to Loosen the Fascia

Get a specific type of head massage for weather headaches that loosens the fascia. Not all massage therapists are familiar with this technique so you may need to call several until you find one. Look for one that has a history of migraines themselves. Just two sessions made a night and day difference in how sensitive I was to barometric pressure changes!

Use an Herbal Blend

Sometimes I will recommend an herbal blend that helps with draining head pressure. This needs to be done with caution however, and you must get the whole body’s lymph system moving prior to use. Techniques to increase movement include dry skin brushing, exercise, and body lymph massage. This blend is powerful, and you don’t want the brain to dump into the body’s main system and get stuck there.

Weather headaches can be debilitating and frustrating, but you don’t have to suffer forever. The above techniques have made a big difference for many migraine sufferers! Try a few, and let us know in the comments below if any work for you.

If you are interested in diving deeper into the causes of and treatments for your headache, schedule a consultation. These techniques enabled me to overcome my weather headaches, and I would love to share them with you to help you achieve migraine relief!