For most people, headaches are simply an unavoidable part of life. While it’s true that a headache every once in a while could be caused by something like a change in your diet, research has proven that stress can be a huge culprit in the cause of headaches.
Although entirely avoiding stress is impossible for most people, there are ways to manage it. Not only can good stress management help your state of mind, but it can also improve your physical health and help you avoid those painful headaches. Here are five tips to help you get rid of your stress headache.
1. Get a Good Night’s Sleep
The average adult should be getting around six to eight hours of sleep each night. Anything less than that and you might find that you have difficulty functioning during the day. You may also find yourself getting headaches more frequently. Making sure you get the appropriate amount of sleep is a good step to avoiding headache pain and improving your overall quality of life.
2. Exercise Regularly
Working out isn’t just about getting your summer body ready to hit the beach. Physical activity can relieve tension in the body and improve circulation. Lack of exercise can have the opposite effect and lead to negative stress on your muscles and joints which can in turn result in headaches. If you have a job that requires you to sit for long periods of time, it’s a good idea to get up and walk around throughout the day.
3. Keep the Lights Low
Finding the perfect amount of light requires a delicate balance. Too much light and your eyes could be overwhelmed by the brightness; too little light and you can end up straining your eyes. Limiting exposure to blue and fluorescent lights can makes things easier on your eyes and reduce the chance of headaches. Although long hours in front of a screen are part of reality for lots of people, computer glasses and blue light blocking screensavers can help limit the harmful exposure to your eyes.
4. Keep a Schedule
Have you ever stressed yourself out by not keeping track of appointments and other important information? We’ve all been there and it’s definitely not a fun place to be. Making and maintaining a schedule can be a great way to reduce stress. Start by creating a to-do list that helps you keep track of important things you need to get done such as household repairs and bill payments.
5. Try Aromatherapy
Over the last several years, aromatherapy has become increasingly popular, partly due to the claim that essential oils can help relieve stress and headaches. Putting a diffuser in your bedroom or office will allow essential oils to be evaporated into the air. This method is effective and safer than burning candles. Plus, essential oils can double as fragrances for your home.
Don’t let headaches control your life—regular headaches aren’t something you should have to get used to and by following the steps above, you can learn to manage stress and help keep headaches away for good.