5 Tension Headache Relief Tips

Yes, headaches are a real pain...pun intended!
Next, exhale and suddenly release all muscle tension, quickly dropping your shoulders. Repeat this process several times. Tension headaches are probably the most common form of headache. They don't discriminate by age group, but are most common among adolescents and adults.

Tension headaches can occur whenever you engage in any activity that causes you to hold your head in one position for a long period of time without much movement. If I sit near the front of a movie theater and have to look up at the screen, it inevitably causes me to have a tension headache. 

Following are 5 suggestions that you can try the next time you get a pesky tension headache: 

  1. Shrug your shoulders.

In either a sitting or standing position, consciously relax the muscles of your body. Next, take a deep breath and contract your deltoids by pulling your shoulders toward your ears. Hold this contraction for a few seconds. Next, exhale and suddenly unharness all muscle tension, lease your shoulders drop quickly. Repeat this method many times.

 
2. Try rhythmic breathing.

 Tension Headache Relief Tips

Whenever we're stressed we tend to take short, shallow breaths. It's a natural reaction to stress and nearly everyone does it. However, this type of breathing raises the level of carbon dioxide in your body and dilates blood vessels in your head which can cause headache pain. The next time you feel stressed, inhale slowly through your nose to the count of five, then exhale slowly through your mouth and count to five again. Repeat this process 10 to 12 times. 

3. Use compresses.

 Tension Headache Relief Tips

Try applying either heat or cold to any part of your head that is hurting, or to your forehead. It's up to you as to whether to use heat or cold. Personally, I prefer heat because heat will help the muscles to relax more quickly than an ice pack. However, if you prefer cold, be sure to wrap the ice pack in a cloth before putting it on your skin. 

4. Use your finger tips to put pressure on your temples.

 Tension Headache Relief Tips

Use this technique as soon as you feel a headache coming on. Place your index and middle fingers of both your hands on the outside edges of our eyebrows and on your temples. Then rub your fingers in small circles with a fair amount of pressure for several seconds. Then press your fingers and hold for 4 or 5 seconds longer, then release and repeat the process. 

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5. Stop a headache before it begins.

 Tension Headache Relief Tips

Do some type of exercise daily. Try Yoga if you have frequent tension headaches, as relaxation and stress reduction are the primary focus of the practice of Yoga. If you prefer, take a brisk walk. This will help to eliminate, or at least reduce, your level of stress. Stress reduction is a primary key to preventing and treating headaches.