Tips to stop tension headaches

While many tension headache sufferers simply take a painkiller to make the pain go away, few tackle the culprit behind the pain — stress.

According to the National Institutes of Health, you can avoid a tension headache, a common condition that involves pain or discomfort in the head, scalp or neck, by reducing this state of mental pressure or strain.

Tips for Tension Headache Relief:

• Keep a headache diary. When a headache occurs, NIH recommends you write down the date, time and other relevant information, such as what you ate that day, if you got adequate sleep and what was happening right before you got the headache. In turn, you may notice a pattern of what daily stressors are causing your headaches.

• Practice stress-management exercises. The Cleveland Clinic Health System suggests trying relaxation exercises, such as yoga and meditation. These techniques include deep-breathing exercises, using mental imagery and listening to relaxing music.

• Take a supplement. Some health experts suggest taking a supplement developed to relieve symptoms of stress. Such supplements help your body adapt and recover quickly from daily stress. They are formulated to address symptoms of stress, such as nerves, sleeplessness, apprehension and fear.

• Evaluate your lifestyle. If you’re not getting the recommended eight hours of sleep, not exercising or not eating right, this may be the cause of your stress-induced headaches. Besides changing these habits, other adjustments may be necessary, such as getting a new job or not smoking.