Headaches impact people every day and, for most, knowing when one is going to strike is impossible. However, for some people, certain situations – whether they originate at work or at home – can bring on sudden, but relatively predictable headaches. Many people can also feel when they’re about to develop more serious pain in the head, neck, and shoulders.
No matter why you have headaches, there are some things you can do to get out in front of the pain and stop it before it gets too bad. Use this guide to help you handle headaches before they become a major problem and derail your whole day.
Track Your Triggers
A lot of people get headaches on a regular basis or at least feel like they’re suffering at least once per week. That might not seem like a lot, but there’s just no reason for you to be in that kind of pain so frequently.
To really get in front of headache pain, start tracking what you did, and ate before a headache came on. Even if there’s no immediate sign that there’s one thing, in particular, causing pain, keeping a journal for a few months may shed some light on the situation.
You should also take note of other factors besides activities and food. Stress, time spent outdoors and even intense exercise can contribute to headaches in some people.
Medications that you’re taking should also be recorded in your journal.
Pay Attention to Posture
Sitting at a desk and staring at a screen all day is something many of us have to do for work. That doesn’t mean these activities are particularly good for our health or keeping headaches at bay.
To fight headaches, try to maintain good posture all day long. If you work at a computer, keep your head back and over your shoulders. Pulling it forward for screen use can result in headaches and neck pain.
Drink More Water
You’ve probably been told that you need to be drinking lots of water, pretty much around the clock. That seems like it’s the treatment for everything else days, but when it comes to preventing headaches, water really can be helpful.
The old eight glasses per day rule isn’t exactly the best one to stick with anymore though. While eight glasses might get you part of the way there, but people who exercise regularly, live in warm climates, or simply are a little larger, may need more than that.
As a rule of thumb, you should be drinking enough water so that you’re never thirsty. Keep a bottle of freshwater nearby all the time. Investing in a quality glass water bottle to refill can also keep you from spending a fortune on the bottled stuff.
Find Time to Rest
In many cases, getting headaches is the body’s way to tell you to slow down a bit. Unfortunately, the people who are most likely to suffer from lack of sleep are the ones least likely to slow down and take a break.
Finding 15 or 20 minutes to simply rest in a chair, or to get in bed for a power nap, really can help you reset your body. Sometimes sacrificing 20 minutes now is a lot better than fighting a headache for the next three hours.
The National Headache Institute
National Headache Institute can help you learn more about preventing headaches. We can also help those suffering from chronic headaches, migraines, and other headache-related pain. We can even help you figure out why you’re having headaches so they don’t disrupt your life anymore. Please contact us today.
