Quick Relief From Painful Headaches

How often do you suffer from headaches? Over 90% of all headaches are "tension headaches." They are caused by excessive muscle contraction in the neck, face, shoulders, and/or scalp and are often caused by stress or being in one position for too long (such as in front of a computer).

If you suffer from one of these tension headaches, the following exercise may help alleviate some of your pain:

10-MINUTE MUSCLE RELAXATION EXERCISE

1. Sit in a comfortable chair or lie down.

2. Tense up all your muscles from head to toe; hold for a few seconds, then release.

3. Take three slow, deep breaths.

4. Close your eyes and imagine yourself completely at ease — calm and serene.

This will help ease the stress and tension you feel in the muscles of your neck, face, shoulders, and/or scalp. By relaxing your muscles you are allowing them to rest and avoid being constantly contracted.

Other tips to avoid headaches in the first place:

 -Don’t skip meals.

-Get plenty of sleep every night.

-Restrict/avoid alcohol and nicotine.

-Watch your back, shoulder, and neck posture – avoid staying in one position for too long a time.

-Get organized to avoid hurry and worry.

-Take a hot shower or bath to help you relax.

-Get some brisk exercise to help you relax – remember to stretch before and after each exercise session.

-Enjoy a professional massage to help loosen tired muscles and create an overall relaxed state.

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Sources:
National Headache Foundation
Aleve Resource Center

Nicole Niemiec is founder of http://www.healthy-insights.com  - a site containing reliable health information for improving your quality of life.