Headaches are common occurrences amongst millions of employees worldwide. Surprisingly, most employees have experienced migraines and headaches that have made them miss work. There are many reasons why you may experience headaches at work. 

Smells

Odor and fragrance may lead to a migraine attack or headache for some individuals. If you work in an office with several employees, you may be exposed to various scents, such as cleaning products, food, colognes, and perfumes. In other cases, chemicals and acidic products may be the problem.

Fluorescent Lights

Fluorescent lights are present in most offices across the world. Whether you work in a factory setting, office, or any other space, the high chances are that you are exposed to fluorescent lights that can affect how you feel at the end of the day. 

Sadly, bright fluorescent lights are known to trigger migraines in people.

Computer Screens

We are in a modern world where most tasks at the workplace are performed via computers. While these gadgets help you streamline the work, they can cause frequent headaches. This study indicates that over 50% of employees report eyestrain and headaches linked to prolonged computer usage.

Worst of all, one can develop migraine due to constant exposure to the computer screen’s light. Luckily, you can prevent this problem by acquiring a pair of blue light blocker glasses.

Sleep

Finding the appropriate balance in acquiring a perfect night’s sleep can be problematic, mainly if you work off shifts, suffer from insomnia, or have commitments that hinder rest. Sleeping for less than six hours, interruptions in typical sleep patterns, or oversleeping is linked to tension-type headaches. 

The worst-case scenario is that these troublesome attacks can occur for an hour or even throughout the day.

Dehydration

For your body to maintain balance, function properly, and prevent migraines and headaches, it needs to be properly hydrated. In some scenarios, you can get relief from headaches within 30 minutes of taking a liter or one and a half-liter of water. Although it’s not easy to drink plenty of water, especially when busy at work, it is recommended to give your body what it needs, when necessary.

Stress

Your job may be one of the biggest reasons why you are stressed. As a result, it could progress to headaches. It is no surprise that retirement benefits employees who have continuously worked in high-stress environments. 

You can solve this problem by sleeping more during the weekend and incorporating yoga class and relaxation time into your lifestyle.

Poor Posture

A poor posture makes your neck, shoulders, and upper back tensed, resulting in a headache. Usually, you can feel pain pulses in the skull base, which sometimes flashes into the face, mainly the forehead.

Therefore, avoid standing or sitting in one position for extended periods. Consider supporting your lower back and sitting up straight. Also, you can use a special headset if you spend the majority of the day on the phone. Remember that holding your phone between your head and shoulder for long periods can cause headaches or even strain muscles.

Pent-up Anger

Muscles in the back of the neck and scalp often tense up when angry, leading to a tight band-like sensation near the head. Well, this is a typical sign of tension headache. You can avoid this type of headache by breathing slowly and deeply whenever you feel angry. Inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth is proven to relax neck and head muscles. 

Caffeine and Some Foods

Your diet could also be why you are getting migraines and headaches at the workplace. However, caffeine has been recognized to have conflicting impacts. For example, caffeine reduces headache-related symptoms in those who don’t consume it regularly.

The problem with caffeine is that you can have withdrawal problems, making you develop head pains. Some foods that trigger headaches include cured meats, aged cheeses, chocolate, and artificial sweeteners.

The Take Away

Ultimately, if you are prone to frequent headaches at work, it is advisable to visit a walk in clinic so that a medical professional can identify the cause. Also, take care of yourself and your basic needs by eating breakfast, taking a healthy lunch, and stepping outside to get some fresh air. Working out before or after work and taking a break from work life is vital. 

Consider stress-relieving strategies like yoga, meditation, and relaxation therapy if the stress overwhelms you.