Tension headaches are incredibly frustrating. They can really ruin your day, making it difficult for you to get anything done because your head hurts. OTC painkillers can help you, but you might not want to rely on them to help you deal with a headache every time it happens. Finding out what’s causing your headaches and how to both treat and prevent them effectively could be the best approach. There are some changes you could make to your life if you want to be healthier and reduce the number of headaches you’re experiencing. Here are some of the steps you could take.
Make Lifestyle Changes
Tension headaches could be triggered by a number of things. Your lifestyle can affect how often you get headaches and why, so making some sensible changes could have a positive effect. For example, by making sure you get enough sleep and avoid too much caffeine and alcohol, you could find that you experience fewer headaches. Some other important steps you could take include staying hydrated, eating a healthy diet and getting regular meals, and quitting smoking. A healthier lifestyle can help you reduce stress too, which can also help you reduce the number of headaches you get.
Deal with Muscle Tension
Muscle tension can be a big contributor to tension headaches. When you’re feeling tense, the muscles in your neck and shoulders can lead to a sore head. If you can address tense muscles, you might find you can ease your headaches. Try using a heating pad, hot water bottle or warm compress on the muscles that are bothering you. A warm bath or shower can also be great if you’re trying to relax your muscles. You could benefit from a massage too, whether you pay for a professional one or use a massage tool to do it yourself.
Make an Appointment
If you need some extra help dealing with your headaches, you might want to make an appointment with a professional. This could be with your GP, another medical professional, or even a massage therapist. You might find that osteopathy is helpful if your tension headaches are caused by stiff muscles. Seeing a professional can help you identify the cause of your headaches and determine the best way to treat them. It’s also a good idea to make sure they are just tension-type headaches and that there isn’t another cause for them.
Keep Track of Your Headaches
Tracking your headaches is a good way to find out what might be causing them. If you keep a diary of when you get headaches and what else is happening in your day, you could find that there are some patterns that start to emerge. It might be a little tricky at first, especially if you find it hard to remember to write things down, but once you get into the habit, it can be very helpful. Use a notebook or notes app, or maybe try a spreadsheet.
Tension headaches are annoying but there are ways you can tackle them and put them behind you.