Work can be stressful, from the constant buzz of office chatter to the rhythmic ping of your email notifications. And with easy access to the internet, viral videos are an additional temptation to distract you from productivity. Take all of that and throw in migraines and headaches, and it may feel like every day at work is hectic. Stressful days in the office can work against you, especially if you come into work with a headache. While everyone experiences different triggers for headaches and migraines, there are several things you can begin to do today to ward off the signs of an oncoming headache. This article articulates a few common headaches and helpful tips for those looking to boost productivity at work, lower stress levels, and ultimately avoid head pain.
Also known as computer vision syndrome, this kind of headache results from looking at a digital screen for too long. This is a very common headache in the workplace, especially for call centers and software companies. It’s simple: our eyes were not made to look at a digital screen for eight hours in a row. Computer vision syndrome can lead to a number of vision issues, and you can be sure you are experiencing it through the following symptoms: headaches, blurry vision, aching eyes, and shoulder and neck pain. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s probably time for a break. However, there are ways to prevent digital eye strain. For example, you can minimize the glare on your computer screen either by investing in an anti-glare screen for your computer, or covering bright windows and facing away walls that reflect light. Digital screens emit what is called “blue light,” which has been shown to be the leading factor for eye strain, so make sure that your computer is positioned at least 24 inches from your eyes.
Resist the urge to dive right into work in the morning. First, drink water, and make sure you have a water bottle nearby so that you can regularly hydrate your system. It is so easy to get caught up in the hundreds of emails filling your inbox, or in running from meeting to meeting without taking a moment to properly care for your body. Research has shown that women should drink nine cups of water a day, and men should drink thirteen. Were these numbers higher than you thought? I’m sure they were. And yet, rarely do we make time for proper hydration. This results in dehydration headaches, which can be easily avoided if you just remember to bring a water bottle with you to keep on hand. When your body is dehydrated, your brain contracts from fluid loss. As the brain pulls away from the skull, it may cause you pain in the form of a headache. Rehydrated, your brain will return to its normal size, also allowing you to use it to its full capacity.
Don’t skip your lunch hour. Regardless of how rigorous your work is, your body and mind need a break from the breakneck speed that often characterizes the office. Hunger can cause serious headaches, primarily because if you go without food, your blood sugar levels will fall. Some people have a difficult time carving out a block of time for lunch, whether it’s because they feel that it would ultimately be unproductive, or they are so lost in their work. Hunger can also trigger tension headaches and even migraines if you’re not careful, so one way to ward off head pain is to stick to a regime of three meals a day. See meals as a way to enhance productivity, not to detract from it. Maintaining your physical wellbeing allows you to improve your mental wellbeing and overall energy levels. So, while you may be susceptible to a variety of headaches in the workplace, you can be confident in knowing that there are ways to avoid head pain and ensure that you are taking care of yourself.
by: Dennis Hung
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.