Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. They are not discriminatory by age, but they are more common in adolescents and adults. Tension headaches can be caused by prolonged, unmoving head movements. Tension headaches can occur when I am near the front of a movie theatre and must look up at the screen.
Take note
- Your shoulders should be rubbed. Relax your muscles in a standing or sitting position. Next, take a deep inhale and contract your shoulder muscles. Pull your shoulders up toward your ears. For several seconds, hold this contraction. Next, exhale. Now let go of all muscle tension and let your shoulders drop quickly. This process can be repeated several times.
- Try rhythmic breathing. When we are stressed, we tend to take shallow, short breaths. It’s a normal response to stress, and almost everyone does it. This type of breathing can increase the carbon dioxide level in your body and dilate your blood vessels, which can lead to headache pain. Next time you feel stressed, take a deep breath through your nose until you reach five. Then exhale slowly through the mouth until you reach five. Repeat this 10-12 times.
- Use compresses. You can apply heat or cold to any area of your head or forehead that is hurting. You can choose to use heat, or cold. Personally, I prefer heat as heat will help muscles relax faster than an icepack. If you prefer cold, wrap the ice pack in cloth before applying it to your skin.
- Your fingers can be used to apply pressure to your temples. This technique should be used as soon as you feel the headache coming on. Place your index and middle finger of both your fingers on the outside edges your eyebrows. Next, rub your fingers with a fair amount pressure for several seconds in small circles. Next, press your fingers for about 4 to 5 seconds. Then release the pressure and continue the process.
- Stop a headache from ever starting. Get some exercise in each day. Yoga is a great option for those suffering from tension headaches. Yoga’s primary focus is relaxation and stress reduction. You can also walk briskly if you prefer. This will reduce stress or eliminate it completely. Stress reduction is the key to preventing and treating headaches.
