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Do you take aspirin or acetaminophen for all your headaches? For some types of headaches, that’s not the best approach. Here’s why.

Your head hurts. Again. The first step in developing a plan to combat your recurring headaches is to determine what type of headaches you have. Sometimes headaches are a symptom of another disease or condition. In other cases, no clear cause can be found. To better understand your headaches, take a closer look at your signs and symptoms.

Are the headaches dull and achy?

Tension headaches — the most common variety of headache — often feel like a tight band around your head. Sometimes triggered by neck strain or eyestrain, tension headaches can last from 30 minutes to an entire week.

Nearly 90 percent of women and about 70 percent of men experience tension headaches at some point. Most tension headaches are easily treated with over-the-counter medications, including aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).

Are the headaches throbbing and severe?

Migraines often are accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light or sound. In six out of 10 cases, migraines affect only one side of your head. The pain may worsen with routine activity. A migraine typically lasts from four to 72 hours.

Migraines are more common in women. Prescription medications are often needed to treat migraines. When a migraine strikes, rest in a quiet, dark room if possible. Hot or cold compresses to your head or neck can be soothing. Massage and small amounts of caffeine may help, too.

Do the headaches recur for weeks at a time?

Cluster headaches, as the name implies, are repetitive — occurring off and on for weeks at a time. The pain typically begins quickly without warning and reaches maximum intensity within minutes. These headaches always affect just one side of your head, and they often are accompanied by a teary eye and stuffed nose.

During a cluster period, which can last for several months, you may experience one or more cluster headaches a day. A typical cluster headache lasts from 15 minutes to three hours. Most people feel restless during a cluster headache, preferring to pace or rock rather than lie quietly in a dark room.

Cluster headaches are rare, affecting less than 1 percent of adults. Because the pain of a cluster headache strikes suddenly and may subside quickly, over-the-counter pain relievers aren’t effective. Preventive medications are typically prescribed instead. During a cluster headache, injecting medication or inhaling 100 percent oxygen through a mask may help.

Do you have headaches nearly every day?

Headaches that occur more than 15 days a month are considered chronic daily headaches. You may feel steady pain on one or both sides of your head. Sometimes the pain is described as a dull ache or a tight band of pressure around the head. The signs, symptoms and time frame vary depending on the specific type of chronic daily headache.

Chronic daily headaches affect up to 5 percent of adults. Treatment for any underlying diseases or conditions often stops chronic daily headaches. When no underlying diseases or conditions are present, treatment focuses on preventive medication.

Do you take pain medication more than two or three days a week?

If you’ve been taking pain medication often, the headaches may be caused by medication overuse. These are known as rebound headaches. The pain may be dull, achy, throbbing or pounding. A rebound headache may awaken you early in the morning and continue throughout the day. The pain may be most severe at first, when the medication begins to wear off.

Anyone who has migraines, tension-type headaches or other chronic headaches is at risk of developing rebound headaches from the overuse of pain relievers. The only way to stop rebound headaches is to reduce or stop taking the medication that’s causing the headaches.

Do the headaches follow a specific activity?

Sometimes exercise, sex, bouts of coughing or other activities trigger headaches. An exercise-induced headache may last from five minutes to 48 hours. Most sex headaches last a few minutes, but others may linger for a few hours. Primary cough headaches typically last a few seconds to a few minutes.

These types of headaches are unusual. They’re usually short-lived, making treatment unnecessary. When acute treatment is needed, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs — such as aspirin and ibuprofen — may be effective. Your doctor may recommend various tests to help detect any underlying conditions.

Recognize emergency symptoms

Sometimes a headache signals a serious underlying condition. Seek emergency evaluation if any of the features below are present.

* Sudden onset of severe headache
* Fever, stiff neck, rash, confusion, seizure, double vision, weakness, numbness or difficulty speaking
* Onset after a head injury, fall or bump
* Pain worsens despite rest and over-the-counter pain medication

Take control

Most headaches are nothing to worry about. But if headaches are disrupting your daily activities, work or personal life, it’s time to take action. Headaches can’t always be prevented, but your doctor can help you manage the signs and symptoms.

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If you have a headache, you’re not alone. Nine out of ten Americans suffer from headaches. Headaches comprise the top three reasons why one goes to the doctor. Some are occasional, some frequent, some are dull and throbbing, and some cause debilitating pain and nausea. What do you do when you suffer from a pounding headache? Do you grit your teeth and carry on? Lie down? Pop a pill and hope the pain goes away? There is a better alternative. As a chiropractic neurologist, I have been successfully helping patients rid themselves of headaches, oftentimes in as little as one treatment. Research has demonstrated the value of manipulative therapy for a multitude of disorders including headaches. A report released in 2001 by researchers at the Duke University Evidence Based Practice Center in Durham, NC, found that spinal manipulation resulted in almost immediate improvement for those headaches that originate in the neck, and had significantly fewer side effects and longer-lasting relief of tension-type headache than a commonly prescribed medication.

As a neurologist, we have many diagnostic capabilities at our disposal, as well as adjunctive therapies, which have proven to work very well for migraineurs as well as headache sufferers who have yet to be diagnosed. Headaches have many causes, or “triggers.” These may include foods, environmental stimuli (noises, lights, stress, etc.) and/or behaviors (insomnia, excessive exercise, blood sugar changes, etc.). About 5 percent of all headaches are warning signals caused by physical problems. The other ninety-five percent of headaches are primary headaches, such as tension, migraine, or cluster headaches. These types of headaches are not caused by disease. The headache itself is the primary concern. Today, Americans engage in more sedentary activities than they used to, and more hours are spent in one fixed position or posture. Many find themselves in fluorescent lighting and/or in front of a computer monitor all day. Many are on the telephone much of the day, which is very stressful on the muscles of the head, neck and shoulder. These scenarios are fuel for headaches.

So what can you do?

If you spend a large amount of time in one fixed position, such as in front of a computer, take a break and stretch every 30 minutes to one hour. Exercise may help relieve the pain associated with primary headaches, however, this will often aggravate headaches of migraineurs. As migraine headaches are vascular headaches, they should always be evaluated prior to entertaining any course of self-treatment. Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day to help avoid dehydration, which can lead to headaches. Naturally, I would recommend all headache sufferers to come see us for an evaluation, as most will be helped in a short amount of time without requiring drug therapies, which can often have deleterious side effects and consequences. You will be referred for these types of therapies if felt to be warranted to be used as an alternative course of care, although this is certainly not the norm but rather the minority. The vast majority of our headache patients share a common conclusion; they invariably wish that they had come in to see us sooner and avoided the years of unnecessary suffering.

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Your head hurts. Again. You rub your eyes, twist your neck around and listen to the cracking and snapping noises in your neck. Why do you have another headache?

Headaches can happen for many reasons. You may have eyestrain from spending too much time on your laptop, you could have an inflammation of your sinus cavities or it could be a life-threatening condition like a tumor, brain cancer, or encephalitis. You can also get a headache if you’re dehydrated or hungry.

More than likely it’s simply a tension headache.

Tension headaches are caused by tightening in the muscles in shoulders, neck, scalp and jaw. I’ll bet you didn’t realize that you had muscles in your scalp, much less that they could contract. These are tension headaches. The contractions of these muscles are often due to stress, depression or anxiety. If you’re working too much, not getting enough rest, not eating properly or using alcohol or drugs you’re probably more prone to getting tension headaches. Migraines and cluster headaches appear to be related to swelling of blood vessels. The pain comes from the blood vessel walls, membrane coverings of the brain and the muscles in the scalp and neck. Your brain itself actually cannot feel pain. Inflammation of your sinuses is also a common cause of headaches.

In your quest to determine the cause of your headaches, it’s a good idea to keep a headache journal. Get a little notebook and write down every time every time you get a headache. What did you eat before it happened? What activities were you engaged in? Did your vision change? Did you become sensitive to light? You’ll be able to see patterns of what may bring on your pain, like stress, food triggers, medications, and menstrual cycles. Foods that have been found to trigger certain headaches are chocolate, cheese and MSG (monosodium glutamate). Your mileage may vary in what triggers your headaches.

Your tension headache can be caused by engaging in an activity that requires you to keep your head in the same position for an extended period of time—like using a computer or a microscope or any other repetitive action. It could also be caused by sleeping in an odd position, clenching your jaw, grinding your teeth while asleep or sleeping in a cold room.

Once you know what causes your headaches, you’re more likely to be able to avoid them in the future.

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Keep a headache diary to help identify the source or trigger of your symptoms. Then modify your environment or habits to avoid future headaches. When a headache occurs, write down the date and time the headache began, what you ate for the past 24 hours, how long you slept the night before, what you were doing and thinking about just before the headache started, any stress in your life, how long the headache lasts, and what you did to make it stop. After a period of time, you may begin to see a pattern. A headache may be relieved by resting with your eyes closed and head supported. Relaxation techniques can help. A massage or heat applied to the back of the upper neck can be effective in relieving tension headaches. Try acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen for tension headaches. DO NOT give aspirin to children because of the risk of Reye syndrome. Migraine headaches may respond to aspirin, naproxen, or combination migraine medications. If over-the-counter remedies do not control your pain, talk to your doctor about possible prescription medications. If you get headaches often, your doctor may prescribe medication to prevent headaches before they occur. All types of pain pills (including over-the-counter drugs), muscle relaxants, some decongestants, and caffeine can cause this pattern. If you think this may be a problem for you, talk to your health care provider.

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How to get rid of Headache

Try putting a cold compress on your forehead or behind the neck. Many headaches are caused by tense neck muscles. Conversely, use a moist hot pack to loosen up tense muscles - see which works best for you.

Massage the ears and ear lobes as well as the neck. If you can, find two tennis balls or racquet balls and put them in a sock. Lay on a flat surface and place the two balls just below the base of your skull on the occiput and relax. You may feel sinus pressure or minimal discomfort at first but it will go away. Lay in this position with the still point on the occiput for as long as needed. This is especially helpful for sinus headaches.

‘Tension headaches’ are ones that create pain in the neck and shoulders. Massages are great ways to get rid of such headaches. Make sure the massage hits key areas like the neck and arms. Massages on the scalp also help to release tension.

Peppermint is excellent against migraines, Chamomile is wonderful for stress or tension, and between the two of them, they taste lovely and will help with just about any headache. Keep in mind however that this is a very gentle remedy and may not help with severe headaches, though they would probably make a wonderful addition to, say, Willow Bark tea.

Take clove, cinnamon and almond in equal quantities (around 1 teaspoon each) and grind together with a little water to make a paste. Apply paste on the forehead. A paste made of sandalwood powder can also be applied on the forehead.

The seeds of Bishop’s Weed (Ajwain) are useful in the treatment of headache and stress. They can be either smoked or sniffed frequently.

An easy remedy for headache pain is simply to go to sleep. Many people are able to sleep off their headaches. Make sure you are not sleeping in an awkward position and do not be tempted to oversleep. Oversleeping is more likely to induce headaches, not to relieve them.

Breathing exercises are a known cure for headaches. Taking very deep breaths and then exhaling slowly may help. The correct breathing exercises will have your stomach moving more than your chest.

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Not only do children who get migraines have to deal with the excruciating pain of the headaches, they may also have sleep problems.

New research from Temple University finds children with migraine are more likely to have sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea and lack of sleep.

The researchers gave 90 children with headache and sleep problems a sleep test that monitors the brain, eye movements, muscle activity, heart rhythm, and breathing. Results showed 60 participants had migraine, 11 had chronic daily headache, six had tension headache and 13 had non-specific headache.

Researchers found the children with migraine were nearly twice as likely as the other children in the study to have sleep apnea — 56 percent versus 30 percent. The condition causes repeated pauses in breathing during sleep because the upper airway is blocked.

Children with severe migraine also had shorter total sleep time, longer total time to fall asleep, and shorter REM sleep — the stage in which you can remember most dreams.

“Sleeping problems can exacerbate the problems migraine causes on a child’s health and may hinder a child’s performance at school,”study author Martina Vendrame, M.D., Ph.D., from Temple University, was quoted as saying. “Parents and doctors need to be aware of the strong likelihood of sleep disorders in children with migraine and seek appropriate preventions and treatments.”

The study also found half of children with tension headache grind their teeth at night compared to 2.4 percent of those with non-tension headache. And sleep apnea was common in children with non-specific headache and in those who were overweight.

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Last week, I was suffering from a ragin’ headache. Not only was it painful. It was like the Energizer bunny…it kept going and going and going.

I asked you, my marvelous readers, if you had any advice to cure the 3 day headache and you really came through! With so many tips, I recovered from my headache and went on to feeling energetic and breathing clear. Since it is springtime, breathing clear is a tough one. But you did it and I thank you.

Since there were twenty tips, I couldn’t do them all - I picked a couple and tried them.

So here are the Top 20 DIY Headache Cures That Bring Quick Relief:

1. You might want to have your eyes checked (if you haven’t done so already). I had a new pair of prescription contact lenses made for me about 4 years ago. But they always gave me problems. I stopped wearing them and I noticed that when I was working (and staring at a computer screen) I got headaches. But the headaches would last and last. I thought there was something else wrong with me. Long story short (too late), I had PRK laser correction surgery done and I’ve been headache free since. I’m fortunate not to have allergies so I don’t have to deal with that possibility.

2. Peppermint oil applied under your nose. (Be careful with application and wash hands!!) Rice packs heated in the microwave for four minutes applied over eyes / back of neck. Also take a hot shower with Peppermint Soap (the liquid version) Oh it makes you tingle.

3. During allergy season I would suggest you use a sinus rinse like Neilmed. Once I started using it regularly, it cut down on my headaches.

4. Tiger balm on your temples, rub tendons in back of neck to release tension.

5. Snort this twice a day:
* Sinus Rinse
* 16 oz. H2O
* 1 tablespoon kosher salt
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* Mix.
Pour some into palm of hand and snort.

6. Brush teeth with flossing and mouthwash. Something about swishing, gargling, changing teeth positions, spitting, etc., makes it so you can clear your head a little.

7. Gargle with salt water periodically to clear head/get rid of drip.

8. Take a bath in fairly warm water. Submerge your head so your ears are covered. Even allow them to fill with water to put pressure on the inside of your head and help it drain. Then — KEY — sit up in the tub so that your wet hair gets cold. This is supposed to help shrink the nasal/sinus membranes and gives some relief. I imagine using a cold wet towel on the head might also help, but I think the bath steam helps and that’s why this is good.

9. Eat hot stuff like chili peppers, salsa. Again, this helps drainage. Even a little bit of heat helps break things up.

10. Cold compress over eyes to help the eyes stop swelling and bring some comfort.

11. Lie down and let head drain. Try with and without a pillow, side to side, head nose pointed up toward wall, and head pointed down toward feet, and rolling from one side to another.

12. Sleep, lots of fluids, and perhaps a walk. (I know this sounds lame,) but it helps the lack of blood flow, which is the initial cause of most headaches.

13. My daughter has used peppermint and lavender essential oils in a rollerball applicator. You apply a small amount to your temples and she said that she felt relief almost immediately. She recommended it to a friend of mine who gets migraines quite often, and she said that, although her headache didn’t go away immediately, it only lasted about 1/10 as long as usual.

14. I suffered from a headache for several days earlier in the year. I went to a regular chiropractor appointment for my back and she adjusted my jaw and the headache went instantly. Apparently my jaw was slightly misaligned (apparently due to stress causing me to tense my teeth) and this was leading in uneven pressure in my head when I moved my jaw. If the other suggestions don’t work I would recommend going to have a check up a chiropractor.

15. I usually find headaches are due to dehydration, stress or tiredness. So upping my fluid intake, getting plenty of sleep or having some time-out (maybe a walk in the fresh air) will usually sort it out. But if my sinuses are at all involved, steam inhalation helps (put your head over a basin filled with hot water and cover your head with a towel for 10-15 minutes. You can add aromatherapy oil or some herbs or a spoonful of vicks if you like. A little lavender oil on your temples, the bridge and sides of your nose and across your forehead will help to relieve sinusitis and stress headaches.

16. If your headaches are allergy related, I have started using a neti pot on a regular basis and found it to be very helpful for relieving sinus congestion. The result is similar to the nasal rinse suggested above, but I’ve done both and much prefer the neti pot. I mix a little sea salt with warm water in the pot and rinse out my sinuses during my morning shower.

17. My worst headaches from barometric pressure. When I feel one coming on, I’ll typically check the weather to see if a front is moving in. If it appears the weather is causing it, I’ll take an Excedrin migraine early on. I hate taking pills, so acting early really does the trick in my case. I’ve wanted to purchase a barometer for some time now so that I can get used to seeing the measurement every day. This way I’d intuitively know what my “feel good” vs. “feel bad” ranges are. Was there some poor weather in your area while you were in pain? If so, a barometer may be a wise investment so you can start using your peppermint oil early on. =)

18. (1) Chlorpheniramine Maleate 4 mg tablet (Walgreens Wal-finate Allergy 4 Hour Tablets) (2) Ibuprofen 200mg each, esgic plus an ice pack. Usually he find that it starts to go away in 20 minutes, but he gets a little sleepy. Try it next time. I also use this for tension headaches.

19. I found that when I reduced my wheat and milk intake my headaches disappeared.

20. Make sure you are hydrated. You can get migraines triggered from dehydration.

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What is Migraine ?

Migraine is a neurological disease of which the most common symptom is an intense and disabling episodic headache. Migraine headaches are usually characterized by severe pain on one or both sides of the head. Absent serious head injuries, stroke, and tumors, the recurring severity of the pain indicates a vascular headache rather than a tension headache . More than 28 million Americans three times more women than men suffer from migraine headaches, a type of headache that’s often severe. In some cases, these painful headaches are preceded or accompanied by a sensory warning sign such as flashes of light, blind spots or tingling in your arm or leg. A migraine headache is also often accompanied by other signs and symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.

A migraine can be disabling — with symptoms so severe, all you can think about is finding a dark, quiet place to lie down. Up to 17 percent of women and 6 percent of men have experienced a migraine.

More than 29.5 million Americans suffer from migraine, with women being affected three times more often than men. This vascular headache is most commonly experienced between the ages of 15 and 55, and 70% to 80% of sufferers have a family history of migraine. Less than half of all migraine sufferers have received a diagnosis of migraine from their healthcare provider. Migraine is often misdiagnosed as sinus headache or tension-type headache.

What are the Causes of migraine?

Until recently, the general theory on the migraine process rested solely on the idea that abnormalities of blood vessel (vascular) systems in the head were responsible for migraines. Now, however, experts tend to believe that migraine starts with an underlying central nervous system disorder. When triggered by various stimuli, this disorder sets off a chain of neurologic and biochemical events, some of which subsequently affect the brain’s vascular system. No experimental model fully explains the migraine process.

There is certainly a strong genetic component in migraine with or without auras. Researchers have located a single genetic mutation responsible for the very rare familial hemiplegic migraine, but several genes are likely to be involved in the great majority of migraine cases. Numerous chemicals, structures, nerve pathways, and other players involved in the process are under investigation.

A migraine begins when, for some reason, blood vessels in the brain narrow (constrict) temporarily. When that happens, the amount of blood and oxygen flowing to the brain drops. So the brain sends a message: “Hey guys, we need some more blood and oxygen here!”

What are migraine triggers?

A migraine trigger is any factor that causes a headache in individuals who are prone to develop headaches. Only a small proportion of migraine sufferers, however, clearly can identify triggers.

Disturbances such as sleep deprivation, too much sleep, poor quality of sleep, and frequent awakening at night are associated with both migraine and tension headaches, whereas improved sleep habits have been shown to reduce the frequency of migraine headaches

Caffeine is contained in many food products (cola, tea, chocolates, coffee) and OTC analgesics.

Some women who suffer from migraine headaches experience more headaches around the time of their menstrual periods.

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101 Headache Prevention Tips:

* Understand that headaches are largely PREVENTABLE.
* Discover a super vegetable that can possibly save you from headache pain.
* Understand how to use meditation to “de-stress” yourself.
* Understand the effect of alcohol on your headaches.
* Understand how to protect yourself from headaches while spending time in the sun.
* Discover how certain colors can actually cause you headaches.
* Discover the three types of headache pain.
* Understand why rain, especially the first rain of the season, can cause you a lot of headache pain.
* Learn exactly what migraines are and why they hurt.
* Learn 4 critical criteria for choosing your next pair of sunglasses.
* Understand what reading in a car is doing to cause you pain.
* Realize that your computer screen could be giving you headaches and what to do about it.
* Learn how to create your own soothing face pack to release tension.
* Learn 7 tips for dealing with hangover headaches.
* Find out what air-pollutants to stay away from.  They may already be causing your headaches.
* Understand what proper ventilation can to do help your headaches.
* Discover how your pillow may be causing you undue pain.
* Understand that your posture may be causing you headaches and how to change that.
* Learn 4 key factors to consider while watching television in order to reduce headaches.
* Learn which breathing exercise can help to reduce your headaches.
* Discover what the effects of hair gel may be having on your headache pain.
* Find out if you should stay away from aerosol.
* Learn to avoid shaking your head - and what it means if you experience pain when doing so.
* Learn the truth about hair dryers and why you should be cautious with them if you have frequent headaches.
* Learn to cool your head correctly - the wrong way can cause you more pain!
* Realize that your computer is giving off radiation and how this can affect you.
* Learn the best way to relax your eyes. Hint: Your eyes should not be closed.
* Learn the proper way to massage your eyes and relieve tension.
* Learn three simple techniques that can help you relax and ease your tension.
* Learn the 2 different types of migraine headaches and how they can effect you.
* Understand the importance of sleep on your headache pain.
* Understand what massages and “touch therapy” can do for your headache pain.
* Learn the 13 easy steps to a powerful exercise that will help relieve tension in your neck and head.
* Discover why hot water is not the best for your head and what you should do about it.
* Understand how organic foods can help you steer clear of unwanted pesticides and hormones.
* Realize that there is such a thing as sound pollution and how this may be affecting you in a negative way.
* Learn 2 simple and effective ways for clearing your sinuses and relieving your pain.
* Discover which ingredients in food and beverages can cause you headache pain.
* Learn which styles of dress may be causing you headache pain.
* Understand the affect that cigarettes and coffee may be having on your headache pain.
* Learn 5 essential factors that need adjusting while reading to avoid headaches.
* Understand the relationship between water and your headache pain.
* Understand that unknown allergies may be causing you headache pain.
* Girls - understand that the way you do your hair may be causing you unnecessary headache pain.
* Learn a great way to exercise your eyes and relieve tension.
* Learn an effective way to “rinse” your sinus pain away.
* Understand that some headache pain is actually heredity.
* Realize the effects of jetlag on your headaches.
* Discover another great tension reliever for your eyes that will leave you feeling very refreshed and headache free.
* Discover tension headaches - any why they are so common yet preventable.
* Learn to use Accupressure to treat and rid yourself of sinus pain. My simple 17 step plan will show you how.
* Learn 4 of the most common triggers for migraine headaches and how to avoid them.
* Understand the effects of exercise and how you can use it to stop your headache pain.
* Discover that the position you read in may be causing you headache pain.
* Realize that too much sleep may be the cause of your headaches.
* Understand why pills may not be helping you at all -and when you should stay away from them.
* Discover that much of your headache pain may be due to your failing eyesight and what you should do about it.
* Understand sinus pain, it’s causes, and the headaches it can cause.
* Learn how to use your time in the shower to relax tension with a simple exercise.

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Stress is a reality for most of us from time to time, and it has even been suggested that a little is in fact normal, and can improve our performance.

However, when it becomes something more permanent, instead of protecting us, it can eventually make us more vulnerable to health problems, including headaches, high blood pressure, and even heart disease.

Here are 15 simple yet effective ways to deal with stress, before it escalates out of control:

#1 Breathe deeply

Merely focusing on your breathing may seem a little too easy, but it really does work. Deep breathing helps to ease tension, causing you to feel more relaxed almost instantly.

Try closing your eyes and inhale slowly through your nose, hold the breath for a few seconds, then exhale slowly. Visualizing a relaxing scene, such as watching a beautiful sunset, or walking on the beach, can also add to the feeling of calm.

#2 Count to 10

Reacting negatively to situations which stress you will only serve to make you feel worse. Instead, take a few moments to step back and count to 10, gather your thoughts, take a few deep breaths, and then carry on.

#3 Mini massage

With the thumb of one hand, massage the palm of the other hand by making small circles, working every area of the palm and fingers also. Switch and do the other hand. This is surprisingly very relaxing!

#4 Stretch

Stretching can be a very simple and effective way of de-stressing.

* Move your head from one side to the other, and also up and down.
* Shrug your shoulders up toward your ears, and then relax.
* Bring your arms high above your head and reach alternately toward the sky, then drop your arms and reach toward the floor.
* Try the “child pose.” Kneel down on the floor, sit back on your heels, then lean your body forward, putting your forehead on the floor with your arms alongside your legs, palms up. Hold there for a few moments, concentrating on your breathing.

#5 Pressure points

Putting pressure on specific points on the body can help ease away the stress:

* Scalp soother - place your thumbs behind your ears while spreading your fingers on top of your head. Move your scalp back and forth slightly by making circles with your fingertips for 15-20 seconds.
* Easy on the eyes - close your eyes and place your ring fingers directly under your eyebrows, near the bridge of your nose. Slowly increase the pressure for 5-10 seconds, then gently release. Repeat 2-3 times.
* Sinus pressure relief - place your fingertips at the bridge of your nose. Slowly slide your fingers down your nose and across the top of your cheekbones to the outside of your eyes.
* Shoulder tension relief - reach one arm across the front of your body to your opposite shoulder. Using a circular motion, press firmly on the muscle above your shoulder blade. Repeat on the other side.
* Neck tension relief - on the back of the neck slightly below the base of the skull, about half an inch to the left or right of the spine.

#6 Write it down

If you tend to worry continually, restrict yourself to a half hour each day when you allow yourself to think about worrying matters. During this time you can write down your concerns, and evaluate them.

However, throughout the rest of the day say to yourself, “I’ll think about that later.” This will help reduce the amount of time you spend each day worrying unnecessarily.

#7 Just say “NO!”

Are work commitments getting too much for you? If they are, remember there’s no shame in saying no to your boss, friends or family. You don’t have to, nor can you, please everyone - so don’t try!

#8 Get enough sleep

Lack of sleep is a big contributor to how we feel, and react, and it can also have detrimental effects of our overall health. While most of us experience a few sleepless nights from time to time, chronic sleep loss can be a major problem, contributing to a number of health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, obesity, diabetes, and depression.

* Try to create a regular schedule by going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, including weekends.
* Get optimum sleep every night – an average of 8 hours is recommended.
* Aim for sleep in one continuous block, if possible. This way your body receives better mental recovery, as it is allowed to reach a deeper sleep cycle.

#9 Smile…even if you don’t mean it!

Smiling instantly gives you a lift, making you feel more relaxed and happy, and helping to relieve some of the stressful tension.

So, if you want to reduce stress, anxiety, and muscular tension, just smile. But, remember a smirk doesn’t count, you need use your mouth, cheeks and eyes for the full effect!

#10 Laugh at yourself, or others!

It has been said that a hearty laugh is like internal body exercise. It also helps to improve our quality of life by reducing stress, elevating our mood, connecting us with others, and generally making us feel better.

So, bring laughter into your life whenever possible. Make it your aim to see the funny side to life, rather than getting stressed about things that come your way!

#11 Enjoy your surroundings

When you feel stress levels rising, focus on something positive. Take time to get up and look out of the window, look for something natural to captive your imagination, for example the green trees, a nearby river, or the blue sky.

Better still, go outside to enjoy the fresh air, some breathing space, and a little time to reflect on your current situation.

#12 Listen to music

Crank up your ipod with whatever makes you feel happy; maybe it’s classical, gospel or even something upbeat. Just make sure you’ve got a good selection to suit every mood and circumstance!

#13 Talk to friends

They say, “A problem shared, is a problem halved,” and there’s much wisdom in that saying!

Sharing our troubles helps us to gain perspective on the situation, and friends have a great way of making us feel cared for. Often our problem may not be as bad as we think, and a friend can point this out to us!

#14 Eat healthy foods

It’s vital to eat well everyday. A healthy diet is a major factor in achieving a healthy mind and body.

* Start each day with a healthy breakfast - think of your body as a car, it doesn’t run well on empty, does it? It’s the same for your body. Choose a high fibre cereal, such as porridge, or wholegrain bread, with fresh fruit, and low fat yoghurt, or milk.
* Regular meals and snacks are extremely important - this will ensure that your body has a steady energy supply, helping to maintain your blood glucose levels, which in turn will help control feelings of stress.
* Choose high fibre carbohydrates at each meal - this will provide the fuel your bodies needs, and also provide a source of B vitamins, which are beneficial for nerve and brain cells.
* Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables - they contain essential antioxidant vitamins, and other nutrients, which help to counter free radical damage, thought to be heightened during times of stress. Choose a range of brightly coloured fruits and vegetables for maximum benefit.

#15 Make time to exercise

Regular exercise is very effective in helping to manage stress by releasing endorphins which elevate our mood, and also giving us an energy boost. If you exercise outside you will have the added benefit of natural surroundings to further trigger your relaxation responses.

Try to find an activity you enjoy such as walking, jogging, swimming, playing tennis, or go all out and try rock climbing, or scuba diving!
Finally

When you feel stressful thoughts coming on, ask yourself, “Are these negative thoughts helping me in any way?” This is a good way of re-focusing your mind on what is really important.

Try making time just for you to relax and unwind on a daily basis. Can you set aside at least 30 minutes, where you do something enjoyable on your own? Perhaps listen to your favourite cd, take a relaxing bath, or read a book. This should be a time when you have no interruptions - think of it as recharging your batteries!

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