Table of contents:
- What causes stress to make headaches?
- Stress headaches are not due to migraines
- Treat and prevent headaches due to stress at the office
Stress doesn't just make you unfocused because of a congested mind. Often times, the stress that continues to be allowed to build up actually makes the head feel churning. Headaches can get even worse when your stress increases. Why, really, does stress make headaches?
What causes stress to make headaches?
The body reads your stress as a threat. So to protect itself, the body will release a group of stress hormones such as adrenaline, cortisol, and large amounts of norepinephrine. These hormones work to kill body functions that are not needed, such as digestion.
At the same time, the hormones adrenaline and cortisol cause an increase in heart rate and dilation of blood vessels to carry blood to physically responding parts of the body, such as the feet and hands. Because the heart concentrates its blood flow to the lower part of the body, the brain doesn't get enough oxygenated blood. As a result, decreased brain function. This is the reason why many people experience headaches when they are under stress. In addition, stress also causes excessive tension in the muscles in your head area.
Stress headaches are caused by a type of tension headache (tension headaches). Tension headaches are characterized by a dull pain that feels pressing and binding on the head and that spreads over the head, but does not throb. This is often followed by a sensation of discomfort or tension in the back of the neck. You can feel tension headaches for 30 minutes, or even more (up to 7 days).
Stress headaches are not due to migraines
Tension headaches are different from migraine headaches. If a tension headache is felt to spread throughout the head, migraine pain is often throbbing and only concentrated on one side of the head.
Also, migraine headaches can be made worse by the physical activity you do, such as going up and down stairs, or bright lights and loud sounds. Tension headaches are not affected by physical activity or sensitivity to sound and light.
In addition, migraine can also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting. A tension headache does not show any of these symptoms.
Treat and prevent headaches due to stress at the office
There are several things you can do to prevent stress from creating headaches at work. For example:
- Take NSAID painkillers or paracetamol as soon as pain occurs.
- Practice deep breathing techniques, meditation, or simple stretches to relieve stress.
- Apply a cold compress to your sore neck or temples to relieve headaches.
- Improve posture when sitting. Don't sit hunched over.
- Take a short break when you are tired at work.
- Avoid smoking, as smoking can exacerbate stress headaches.
