Headache after an intense day of work

[Mariotoaddaisy]

Does anyone know what I mean? It's not a migraine (I'm a migraine sufferer) but after an intense day at work I get the same dreary achy head. A little pressure on my forehead and squinty eyes due to screen time.

Does anyone know what I mean?

Does anyone have any tips with how to cope with a mentally intense job? I work in architecture so the days are full of lines and numbers.

I drink loads of water and eat well at work. But nothing seems to relieve the dreary aches / pressure.

Glasses or no glasses - don't make a difference. Neither does whether I take or walk or not at lunch.

I'm not stressed. But the things I have to do require constant focus.

Thanks in advanced. Can't wait to read the replies with my squinty eyes 😂

You eyes have been focusing close up for a long time, so take some time to look at the distance to relax your eye muscles.

Other than that - cup of tea - best cure all.

Very good point and very good idea! I can go and look at the sea horizon and boats.

Thank you!!!

Could you do a 15-20 minute mindfulness/relaxing podcast. I use the NHS Feeling Good app. It has different sessions and I find it really relaxing.

Are you drinking enough? Being dehydrated makes mine worse

It could be sitting in the same position for too long. Perhaps you just need to have a ten minute break once an hour. Get up, do some stretches ( while you are looking at the sea!)

I had no idea there was an NHS app! I'll have a look into it. I could do with winding down. It just makes my evenings wasted as I'm too lethargic and fatigued to do anything which sucks for the children 😔

I'm pretty sure I'm drinking well. I have filtered water throughout the day. About 4-5 x 800ml bottles (I refill it at the water cooler)

I could be dehydrated and not realise!

Could be! Apart from walking to the water cooler and having my lunch break - I don't move a lot. My pedometer says 2500 steps for an 8 hour day!!

Your neck and shoulder muscles can hold a lot of tension which can lead to headaches. Do those muscles feel hard or squidgy and relaxed?

Some stretching and relaxation exercise could really help, there's lots on YouTube. Yes, I know it's really hard to find the me time to do them 😀

@Mariotoaddaisy This is the link https://www.feelinggood.app/

From memory I paid for the full series but you can get it free by asking your GP for a code.

Get an eye test if you’ve not had one in last year

Every hour or two take a rest from the screen and focus on a wall or similar for 5 mins - that works for me

Definitely take a few seconds several times an hour to look into the distance and focus on a point there before returning to close up.

It doesn't have to be for long, but the more you can do it the better.

Like others have said, you need to relax your eyes by spending time looking at the distance to break up all the time on a screen. Have a Google but I think it is something like 20 seconds looking into the distance (e.g. out of a window) for every 20 mins looking at a screen.

See if your work station is set up properly. Incorrect posture and seating can really knacker your back / neck / shoulders and this can lead to tension headaches.

Oh wow I had no idea it was like this! I'll Google straight away.

Funnily enough, I've got a very achy back tonight after an especially intense day.

My setup probably isn't perfect. I found myself fidgeting with my seat height a few times

About 4-5 x 800ml bottles (I refill it at the water cooler) I could be dehydrated and not realise!

If you're drinking 4L of water a day just at work I think we can rule out dehydration as an issue.

Yep! Don’t think it’s screens as sometimes I get when I’ve been in meetings all day.