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.
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