Do you know someone who has not suffered a headache at some point in their life? Migraines are one of the most common ailments in today’s society. To date, much has been written about the types of migraines there are, about their symptoms and also about the best treatments to prevent or reduce this intense and acute pain that, in some extreme cases, incapacitates the person who suffers from it.
According to a recent study by the Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN), in Spain there are some 14,000 new consultations per month with this type of discomfort. Some of the best-known reasons for this are bad habits, such as excessive consumption of alcohol or tobacco, a diet low in vitamins, few hours of rest and sleep, or poor hydration. What perhaps you were unaware of are other seemingly innocuous factors in your daily life that cause headaches. Do you want to meet them?
The 6 incredible reasons why you have a headache
A bright day
Rainy days at home under a blanket and with a warm coffee in hand are fine for a while, but what the body usually asks of us is to go outside to enjoy a sunny day, although if you have a tendency to headaches head… you should read this! Too bright light (or the reflection of the sun on the snow) affects the brain’s thalamus, which immediately sends pain signals to your body.
To be able to take advantage of these moments without suffering, there is nothing better than getting good sunglasses, preferably with polarized lenses, which protect you from the rays.
Weekend
You are waiting for the clock to strike 3:00 p.m. to turn off your computer and say goodbye to work worries until Monday. You have almost 36 hours ahead of you to relax, but… the headache visits you every Saturday without finding an apparent reason! Because? Don’t worry, it’s not that nobody has given you the evil eye. Have you heard of a concept called “caffeine extraction”? Your body and your brain are used to a daily routine -you always have breakfast at the same time- and when that rhythm is broken and everything is delayed, a migraine occurs.
Experts recommend getting up at the same time on Saturdays in order to maintain the same circadian rhythms. If your body asks for more rest, we give you an extension of one hour, but for your health, don’t go beyond that.
The dependency of the mobile
Surely you have already heard this millions of times: technostress. Staring at the mobile screen, or even the computer, all the time causes visual fatigue and, consequently, headaches. But not only that, the way you look at your mobile can trigger a migraine. Your head tends to tilt slightly downward to check the latest notifications, an innocent gesture that creates discomfort in the lower area and temples.
Tip: when you check your friends’ WhatsApp, work emails or Facebook or Instagram posts, try to put your phone at eye level and, we know it’s asking a lot, but don’t depend so much on this gadget.
Your work
We know it may sound like a joke, but certain habits at work can become your worst enemies. If your work takes place in front of a computer screen, this interests you. It is very important that you be aware of the posture you acquire when you sit in your desk chair: bad posture causes back pain, but also headaches. On the other hand, staring at a computer screen for long periods of time causes eye strain and a sure onset of a migraine.
Why don’t you try taking 10-minute breaks to look away from the computer screen? Another simple solution is to always keep your back straight or get up from the seat from time to time to, for example, go to the bathroom or get something from the fridge or the vending machine.
Smells from your environment
There are people who are sensitive to certain odors such as gasoline, tobacco and perfumes or colognes. Little can be done to prevent odors from giving you a headache, because you can control what your body gives off or what settles in your home, but not what is around you. But did you know that lavender helps relieve stress, relaxes, and can reduce migraines? The same goes for mint.
Relations with your partner or your boss
The anxiety and stress that are created in the environment of labor relations is directly proportional to the appearance of the headache. When we suffer an episode of this type, our breathing becomes shorter, causing less oxygen to enter our body and migraines are triggered. Some people can even clench their jaws very hard in these situations or in dreams (bruxism), which causes tension headaches.
The moment you notice that your heartbeat is racing due to an argument with your partner or a run-in with your boss, don’t let that feeling get any worse. Become aware, take a deep breath to try to relax and that your headache does not go away.