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Posted on 12/17/2013 by Dr. Martha E. Rich |
 At this time of the year as the holidays come into full swing, it's easy to forget all the little things we might normally do to take care of ourselves. Our schedules are packed with social gatherings, holiday shopping, and family commitments, leaving many of us tired, stressed out, and quite often more headachy than usual.Getting lost in all the excitement and activity that always seem to define these final weeks between Thanksgiving and the New Year happens to all of us, so be kind to yourself and don't waste time with regrets about what you should have done these last few weeks. Take a breath, let whatever is in the past stay there, and start again today with a few simple steps to keep you on the right track for self care in the New Year. We all tend to indulge a little too much in holiday food, alcohol, and caffeine at this time of year, so if you find that you are having headaches more often than usual – or you aren't sleeping well – start by taking a look at those areas first. Make sure you are drinking enough water each day. Monitor how many hours you are spending in front of the computer shopping for gifts or making travel arrangements, and make sure you take breaks to stretch your legs, neck and shoulders – and to rest your eyes. You might also try stretching your jaw a few times a day, especially if you notice yourself clenching or grinding your teeth. Ice or a cold pack on the back of the neck, forehead, or over the eyes can also provide significant relief from many types of tension headaches. If you have a little more time to spend on yourself, you might also take a moment to review some of our articles in The Headache Series. Each one deals with a specific subset of headache triggers that might very well contain a suggestion or solution to the headache that you may be having right now. This month, we've also added a new section to the series covering hormone imbalances, medication interactions, and rebound headaches, as well as several other possible environmental irritants and triggers. Identifying the source of your tension headache or migraine is always the first step in finding a way to prevent them from occurring in the future. I hope you'll take a moment for yourself during this busy time of year to check in with your body and start making a few simple changes to your daily routine right now instead of waiting for the New Year to begin. It's never too soon to start taking better care of yourself, and what better gift for the holidays could you receive than a pain-free transition into the coming year?  |
