How to Relieve a Tension Headache

Tension is a fact of life in our high-speed modern world. Here are several simple techniques to relieve a tension headache.

Rest your eyes periodically. Tension headaches are often caused by eye fatigue.
Close your eyes, cup them with the palms of your hands, and apply light pressure for 2 minutes. Don’t be alarmed if your vision is blurry for a few seconds when you finish.
Place wet peppermint teabags on your eyelids for 5 minutes. Closing your eyes will rest them as the peppermint soothes them.
If you work on the computer, take a 10-minute screen break every hour. This is also a good idea if you’re in a movie theater or watching television.
If the problem is chronic, visit your optician. You may need glasses.

Massage the temples, shoulders, neck or any other area where you feel tension. Tense areas are easy to recognize because they feel tight and hard.
- Tension in the head, neck, and shoulders can often be the cause of headaches.
- Essential oils can be incorporated into massage to aid relaxation.
Massage your face. In particular, rubbing the temples, forehead, and area between the eyebrows can relieve tension. The fact that the face is so rarely pampered in this way will make it feel extra good.
- If you clench your jaw or grit your teeth, make an effort to relax your face. Try yawning to reduce facial tension.
Massage your hands. If you’re at a busy office or in public, massaging your hands can be a discrete way to relieve stress. Squeezing the pads of your palms and rubbing your fingers are especially effective.

Place a hot compress on your fore-head or the back of your neck. The heat will help to relax knotted up muscles in this area.
Take a hot shower. If you don't have cardiovascular problems and can stand it, a steaming hot shower for 20 minutes can bring you fast relief.
Apply an ice pack to your neck for 10 minutes. If the cold is too direct, wrap the icepack in paper towels or a moist facecloth.

Drink herbal tea. Many herbs, such as peppermint and chamomile, are said to have calming properties. Of course, the simple act of sipping a hot beverage from a mug is also psychologically calming, so be sure to go by whatever feels best.
Have a cup of caffeinated coffee or tea. Caffeine reduces blood-vessel swelling, and thus can help to relieve a headache. This is why caffeine is an ingredient in some extra-strength painkillers like Anadin Extra.
- If you enjoy and are used to energy drinks, they might be an acceptable substitute; however, the sugar might aggravate your headache, so use discretion.
- If you are already a heavy coffee/tea drinker, don't try this. Caffeine withdrawal can cause headaches, creating a vicious cycle.
Drink a glass of water. Headaches are often caused by dehydration, so try to increase your water intake to between 6 and 8 glasses a day. Even if you’re not dehydrated, the water might help flush out something that is stressing your body.

Sprinkle a few drops of essential oil onto a tissue and inhale deeply several times. The cooling effect of peppermint is said to fight headaches and nausea while the soothing scent of lavender is said to relieve stress.
Add herbs or essential oil to simmering water and let the scented steam fill the room. This is a great way to calm your mind while you attend to other tasks.

Spend some time relaxing your mind. Visualize yourself in a calm scene, such as a green forest or blue ocean, and enjoy your surroundings. How does the sunlight feel on your skin? How do the crashing waves sound?
Listen to calming sounds. If you have a recording of natural sounds or a great rainy-day mix you can put on in the background, use it to mellow yourself out.
Breathe slowly and deeply. Inhale slowly over 8 counts, pause, and then exhale over 8 counts; repeat for at least a minute.
- In times of stress, the human body will default to breathing very shallowly; conversely, it is very difficult to remain stressed while breathing slowly and deeply.
Use the restroom. Going to the bathroom can definitely provide physical relief, but if nothing else, having a quiet moment to yourself might be just what the doctor ordered.

Take an over-the-counter painkiller. If your relaxation techniques don’t work, aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen may help.
- Remember that the relief provided by painkillers is only temporary; addressing the root of the problem is your ultimate goal.
- Don’t overuse painkillers. Taking over-the-counter pain killers more than nine days a month can actually give you rebound headaches, a.k.a. medication overuse headaches.

Try sipping a can of cola from a straw: there is a theory that the caffeine interacting with the aluminum in the can will relieve headaches. Though the jury is still out on this cure, some people swear by it.

If you suffer from frequent or severe headaches you should see a doctor as soon as possible.