How To Ease Tension Headaches

 

Tension headaches are extremely common, they are the most common type of headache, and they affect roughly three per cent of the population.

 

Although they are common, that doesn't mean that they can't put a serious downer on your day. The pain can feel like a dull tightness or band of pressure around the head, which can be quite uncomfortable.

What causes tension headaches?

As the name suggests, tension headaches are caused by stress and tension.

 

They happen when the muscles in the shoulders, neck, and head become tense. They are caused by a few different things.

 

●     Long-term stress and anxiety tend to mean that you tense your shoulders and clench your jaw, leading to tense muscles and headaches.

●     The combination of a hunched posture and eye strain that come with staring at a computer screen for too long can cause headaches.

●     Some people find that cold weather triggers headaches because of the tendency to sit in a more tense position.

●     Foods can cause headaches, in particular salty foods.

Prevention

If you get tension headaches frequently, it's a good idea to think about what habits and behaviors you have that might be contributing to them.

 

Some places to start are checking your posture when working at a computer and ensuring that you take regular screen breaks.

 

Taking steps to manage anxiety and tension in your life are often the most effective ways to combat tension headaches.

 

Some things to think about are:

 

●     Ensuring that you are eating a well-balanced diet and that you aren't skipping meals.

●     Getting a good night's sleep. Try moderating your caffeine and alcohol intake and avoiding blue light from computer and phone screens in the run-up to bedtime.

●     Don't overextend yourself. We all want to achieve as much as possible, but over-scheduling your time will likely lead to stress, burnout, and tension headaches.

●     Make sure you drink enough water. Dehydration can contribute to headaches.

Easing symptoms

You can use over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen and aspirin to ease the symptoms of tension headache; however, you mustn't become reliant on pain-relieving medication as this can cause a secondary issue; where you experience headaches simply because you've stopped taking them!

 

Simply CBD offers a CBD balm that you can apply to the site of the pain, which may be of some help. However, it's important to note that there is no medical evidence suggesting that CBD balms effectively relieve tension headaches. Therefore, you should also consult with your doctor before using CBD products.

 

Often, a simple heating pad or ice pack applied to the area of tension can help a great deal.

Relaxation techniques

Relaxation techniques can be an important part of tension headache management, and they are particularly effective if you practice them regularly.

 

Some techniques which may be effective are:

 

●     Yoga.

●     Meditation.

●     Progressive relaxation. This is where you focus on the body, gradually working on relaxing one part at a time.

●     Breathing exercises such as rhythmic breathing or visualized breathing.

●     CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). This kind of therapy helps to address the underlying thoughts that lead to stress and anxiety.