Table of contents:
- How can stress trigger a headache?
- How to get rid of headaches due to stress
- 1. Do relaxation therapy
- 2. Exercise regularly
- 3. Get enough rest
- 4. Give up bad habits
- 5. Do activities that you enjoy
- 6. Do not hesitate to consult a doctor
Work piling up, bills have not been paid, plus fighting with your partner, will definitely stress you out. This condition can trigger headaches and even worsen the symptoms. If you experience this condition, of course your daily routine can be disrupted. Don't worry, check out some of the following ways to get rid of stress headaches.
How can stress trigger a headache?
Most people who experience stress have had headaches. People who have recurring headaches such as migraines also report that stress makes their headaches worse. Actually, what does stress have to do with headaches?
Reporting from the Cleveland Clinic page, stress is one of the common causes of headaches. So, if you want to treat stress headaches, you have to get rid of those annoying stresses.
When stress hits, the brain releases certain compounds to combat the situation known as the "response"flight or fight“.
The release of these chemicals can cause changes in blood vessels in the brain, which can lead to headaches, such as migraines. In addition, various emotions during times of stress, such as anxiety, worry, and fear can increase muscle tension and dilate blood vessels in the head, making the pain worse.
Stress can also trigger tension headaches (tension headache). This type of headache is recurrent in the long term. When stress occurs, it is likely that tension headaches will also recur frequently.
How to get rid of headaches due to stress
The key to relieving stress headaches is to relieve the stress itself. Some of the ways you can do this include:
1. Do relaxation therapy
This technique helps you calm your mind so that you feel less stressed. Relaxation therapy can be done with meditation, which is to focus the mind to be calmer.
This therapy can also be done by regulating breathing, namely inhaling deep breaths through the nose and exhaling slowly from the mouth.
2. Exercise regularly
Exercise has been shown to improve mood (mood) thus helping you relieve stress and headaches.
This happens because exercise stimulates the body to produce dopamine, a hormone that makes you feel happier and happier.
In the initial plan, choose a mild type of exercise, such as walking, biking, or leisurely jogging for 30 minutes a day 5 times a week.
In the following week or month, you may choose to exercise with a higher intensity while increasing the duration, such as running sprint, aerobics, or lifting weights.
3. Get enough rest
Lack of sleep can tire your body and stimulate the production of the stress hormone cortisol. In addition, your mind will also become unclear and it is difficult to concentrate. As a result, the stress you feel is getting worse and headaches are prone to coming.
Try improving your bedtime by creating the same sleep and wake schedule every day. Don't forget, avoid all activities that can disrupt your sleep schedule, such as playing on your cellphone or watching TV. Sleep in a position and room temperature that makes you comfortable.
4. Give up bad habits
From now on, stop bad habits, such as drinking coffee in the evening, smoking cigarettes, and drinking alcohol before bed. Caffeine and chemicals from cigarettes, can make it difficult for you to sleep at night. The next day you will be sleepy, tired, and have mood the bad one.
By breaking the habit, you can relieve stress and prevent headaches.
5. Do activities that you enjoy
Instead of spending time thinking about negative things that make you stressful, you should use that time to do activities that you enjoy.
You can garden, read books, watch funny movies that invite laughter. These fun activities can take your mind off of stress.
This allows the brain torefreshcells so that your mind becomes clearer.
6. Do not hesitate to consult a doctor
Although some of the methods above can help you relieve stress and headaches, don't hesitate to consult a doctor.
Especially if stress and headaches interfere with your routine and cannot be relieved by the methods above.
Doctors or maybe psychology can help you relieve the stress you are experiencing and help relieve the headaches you feel.