Zhwan Azad
Headaches can be a common and expected occurrence when dealing with a cold or flu, eye issues, or during a woman’s menstrual cycle. However, often we can experience unexpected headaches with no cause. To help alleviate and potentially prevent these headaches, it’s important to understand the lesser-known triggers that can bring on the pain.
Viral Strange will list 5 factors that might be triggering them:
1. Bad posture
Bad posture can lead to tension in your upper back, shoulders, and neck, causing tension headaches. The pain is often concentrated at the base of the skull but may occasionally spread to the face, particularly the forehead.
To prevent or relieve the pain, it is important to avoid prolonged periods of sitting or standing in the same position and maintain proper posture. Additionally, if you frequently use the phone, consider using a headset instead of cradling the phone between your head and shoulder, which can cause muscle strain and trigger headaches.
2. Autumn Anxiety
Autumn anxiety, a manifestation of SAD (seasonal affective disorder), is a common occurrence as the seasons change. A decrease in sunlight exposure, unmet goals, the beginning of a new school year, and other factors can contribute to increased anxiety symptoms during the fall months. This can lead not only to emotional and mood changes, but also frequent headaches.
To alleviate the impact of autumn anxiety, it is recommended to get more sunlight, which boosts the production of vitamin D and mood-stabilizing hormones such as melatonin and serotonin. Engaging in physical activity, trying new experiences, and establishing a new routine can also help ease anxiety symptoms. Additionally, incorporating foods rich in vitamin D and tryptophan into your diet can provide additional benefits.
3. Not eating regularly
If you have missed a meal and have been without food for some time, your blood sugar levels may decrease, and your body will respond by releasing hormones that will alert your brain that you are hungry. These hormones can constrict blood vessels in your body, potentially resulting in hunger headache or migraine.
To prevent or alleviate the pain, it is important to maintain a consistent source of energy for your body to function effectively, and food is the primary source. Hence, headaches caused by irregular meal patterns can be relieved by eating and drinking water. However, if you are suffering from a hunger-induced migraine, simply eating may not be enough to alleviate the pain. Some individuals have found that consuming a small amount of caffeine may provide relief.
4. Cold weather
Preventing or easing the pain caused by cold weather and its effects on barometric pressure and sinus membranes can be done through a few simple steps. Consuming a balanced diet, staying hydrated, managing stress levels, and getting adequate rest can all contribute to preventing or reducing headaches. Those with fibromyalgia, a chronic pain syndrome, are particularly vulnerable to headaches during weather changes, making these preventative measures even more important.
5. Accumulated stress
Do you experience a headache when you wake up on Saturdays despite feeling fine from Monday to Friday due to your busy schedule? This is because the stress hormones from the week decrease, causing the release of neurotransmitters that signal blood vessels to constrict and dilate, leading to a headache. To prevent or alleviate the pain: make sure to avoid oversleeping on the weekends. A proper 8 hours of sleep is enough for your body to rest.
How often do you experience headaches? How do you ease the pain? Let us know in the comments.
*Featured photo by Nik Shuliahin 💛💙 on Unsplash
