Headache due to anger, is it normal to happen?

Have you ever had a headache when you are angry? Your vehicle has been hit to a dent, your partner doesn't keep his promise, endless traffic jams, and many other triggers that can make your emotions run high.

In fact, anger can indeed have bad effects on the body, one of which is headaches. Anger that lasts for a few seconds can cause physical and psychological distress. Hormones that overflow through the bloodstream make flexible muscles tense and the mind works harder than usual.

It is this combination of unwanted actions that can cause headaches. Headaches due to anger are no less painful when compared to other types of headaches.

Types of headaches due to anger

1. Headache with tense nerves and muscles

Headaches are most common when angry headaches that feel tense. It is characterized by a sharp pain accompanied by muscle tension in the neck area. Sensitivity to light and sound also sometimes triggers more pain. Generally, these headaches tend to be mild and not debilitating.

2. Migraine

Migraines or headaches can also be a side effect that results when angry. Generally migraines are more painful than headaches because of the tension in the nerves and neck muscles. In addition to headaches that are felt only one side, it is usually accompanied by a severe throbbing feeling.

Unlike tension headaches, migraines can seriously interfere with daily activities. Other symptoms that you may feel are nausea, vomiting, and blurred vision.

Why can anger cause headaches?

In fact, anger is not a direct cause of the headache itself, but a secondary cause due to the condition of the body when it is angry. For example, people who clench their fists and grit their teeth tend to experience headaches. Pressure on the facial muscles can trigger the "fight or flight" mechanism which causes the release of the hormones adrenaline and cortisol.

The part of the brain that responds first when anger strikes is the amygdala, which is located in the temporal lobe of the brain. The amygdala controls emotions and natural responses to fear, threat, and stress.

The domino effect of this anger continues on the adrenal glands, which produce the adrenaline hormone and the stress hormone, cortisol. This condition provides you with an additional supply of energy and strength. Eventually the blood that should flow into the stomach and intestines will turn toward the muscles, a sign that you are ready to fight back.

When this anger occurs, your blood pressure and body temperature will increase, your breath and heart speed faster, and your pupils begin to dilate. The effect of the release of the hormones adrenaline and cortisol is what causes blood vessels to constrict due to reduced oxygen and nutrient intake to the brain. This is what ultimately causes you to experience headaches when angry.

How do you relieve headaches due to anger?

The best way to relieve headaches caused by anger is to control the emotions themselves. As much as possible reduce the triggers that cause anger in you. To control your anger, do this breathing exercise by taking a deep breath through your nose and slowly releasing it through your mouth. Repeat until you feel much better and much calmer.

Adopting a healthy lifestyle such as regular exercise and eating healthy foods can also help reduce headaches. In addition, you can also pamper yourself by doing relaxing activities such as massage and yoga which are very helpful to relax tense muscles and reduce anger in yourself.

Control emotions by means of….

Apart from those already mentioned above, you need to know some other ways to control anger, namely:

1. Think before you speak

In a state of anger, a person can do anything, including speaking harsh and hurtful words. Don't let anger blind you. Pause for a moment and think about the words you want to say before it leaves your mouth.

2. Do physical activity

Physical activity can help reduce the stress caused by anger. If at any time you feel your anger build up, try getting up from your seat and taking a short walk. You can also take a moment to do some physical activity that is fun.

3. Use the word "I" in every statement

Even if you are angry, try to avoid criticizing or blaming someone. This will only add to the tension. Use "I" statements to describe the problem. For example the sentence "I am annoyed because you are repeating the same mistakes over and over again" is much more subtle and acceptable than the sentence "You keep repeating the same mistakes every day."

4. Don't hold grudges

Forgiveness is a great way to deal with anger, which can lead to headaches. If you let anger and other negative feelings dominate you, your body will suffer the bad effects of that anger. However, if you can forgive someone who upset you, you can both learn from the situation and strengthen your relationship. The most important thing is that you will avoid the torment of headaches that may strike.

Getting angry is really hard to predict. It just comes when things don't fit with you. You can only control it so that it doesn't get intoxicated and avoid headaches due to anger.