Tension headaches are a widespread phenomenon of our time. You can relieve the pain with the following tips.
Causes of tension headaches
Tension headaches can have many causes. Whether it is the daily work at the computer screen, being laid up at night or stress – there are many factors that lead to the dull pain in the head. The pain usually travels from the back of the neck up towards the head. But tension headaches can also be related to the eyes. We have put together ten tips for you that you can use to relieve the pain.
Wear the right glasses
If you can’t see well, you’re constantly straining your eyes if you don’t wear glasses. This can result in a severe tension headache that spreads from the eyes to the whole head. If you notice that your eyesight is deteriorating, you should go to an optician as soon as possible.
Wearers of glasses who suffer from headaches should have both the prescription and the fit checked. It is possible that the eyes have deteriorated and the prescription is no longer sufficient. In addition, the temples may be too tight behind the ears or the glasses may be too tight on the nose, causing pressure.
Keep the neck warm
For tension headaches that originate in the neck, the best immediate remedy is to provide sufficient warmth. Cherry pit cushions or hot water bottles placed on the back of your neck are particularly suitable. In the office, a heat patch can provide relief.
Home remedy for tension headaches: A boiled potato poultice works wonders for tension in the neck. Simply boil three to five potatoes, let them cool briefly and mash them with a potato masher. Wrap the mashed potatoes in a towel and place on the back of your neck for 15 minutes.
Wear a hat and scarf in winter
Are you basically sensitive to the cold and always hunch your shoulders in cold temperatures? Then always wear a scarf as soon as it gets colder outside. This will help you to relax your shoulders.
A hat also helps weather-sensitive people prevent headaches during the cold season. In addition, people who are sensitive to the cold should not leave the house with wet hair, as this can also cause headaches.
Towel massage of the affected areas
For this tip against tension headaches, all you need is a terrycloth towel. Roll up the towel and rub it over the painful area. The friction stimulates blood circulation and can ease tension.
Make sure you drink enough fluids
One cause of headaches can be insufficient fluid intake. This makes it all the more important to make sure you drink enough water in your daily routine – 1.5 litres a day. Tip for hectic times in the office: fill a carafe with water. Then you don’t have to keep getting up to fetch water when you’re under stress.
Vitamin C rich foods
For stress-related headaches, vitamin C helps increase oxygen levels in the blood. So make sure to eat foods that are high in vitamin C during stressful times. Besides citrus fruits, peppers are a real vitamin C bomb.
Baths with lavender and lemon balm
Lavender and lemon balm have relaxation-promoting properties and are therefore ideal bath additives for tension headaches.
Rising foot bath stimulates the metabolism
If you don’t have a bathtub at home, you can make yourself a rising foot bath instead of a full bath. Place your feet in a container with enough space. Then slowly pour warmer and warmer water over your feet. The warmth stimulates the metabolism. In addition, the partial bath stimulates the foot reflex zones, each of which is supposed to represent an organ.
Schuessler salts for tension headaches
Schüssler salts are also thought to be a way to relieve tension headaches. These four salts work according to the type of headache :
- Calcium phosphoricum for mental exhaustion.
- Magnesium phosphoricum for stabbing pain
- Natrium chloratum for anger, resentment, mental overload and headaches due to constipation.
- Silicia for headaches due to low blood pressure
