How to Reduce Headache Frequency

Everyone experiences headaches to some degree. Some people suffer from them more than others. Headaches originate from the scalp and from membranes surrounding the brain, not from the brain itself. The majority of headaches that people suffer from are tension headaches. The pain can occur anywhere on your head and is usually worse late in the day and during times of stress. Other types of headaches are migraine and cluster.

Instructions

• 1

  Keep a pain diary to help you understand your headaches. Record each headache that you have, what time of day the pain started, where you were and what you were doing and what you ate and drank last. Reviewing the diary may help you to identify patterns and triggers. Avoiding the triggers could help to reduce headache frequency.

• 2

  Develop a pattern of regular physical exercise. Exercise reduces stress and relieves tension to prevent headaches.

• 3

  Use visualization to relax when you feel yourself getting stressed or you feel a headache coming on. Close your eyes and visualize yourself in your favorite, most relaxing environment. Do some deep breathing while you are visualizing. Relax your entire body to prevent the headache.

• 4

  Maintain good posture while sitting or standing. If you work at a desk all day and lean forward while working, you are putting strain on your neck and upper back that often leads to a tension headache. Hold your head up as much as possible, and take frequent breaks to stretch your neck and back muscles.

• 5

  Get a massage. No matter what type of headache you are experiencing, massaging the face and scalp can help to alleviate the pain. If your headache is caused by tension, massaging the neck, shoulders and upper back helps the headache to go away. Regular massage to keep those areas relaxed can help to prevent headaches.