Ways For Employees to Avoid Headaches at Work
Here at Glasgow Medical Rooms, we often see people who complain they suffer from constant headaches in their work place and although popping an over-the-counter pill for a headache every now and then can be a quick fix for the pain, a more long-term solution is needed if the problem persists. Having headaches at work is a common complaint, but there are a few things you can do to help prevent them. Sounds too good to be true? Here are some remedies that we feel can help to prevent head pain occurring in the first place.
Take Frequent Breaks from the Screen
Living in a modern world, you often come into contact with a lot of innovative technology, and while this can make our lives easier, it can sometimes be the trigger that leads to migraines and headaches. One of the main triggers is sitting in front of a computer screen for hours on end; this is because staring at bright screens for an extended period of time can lead to eyestrain, which can consequently result in headaches and migraines for some people. To avoid headaches at the workplace, it’s important to avoid too much screen exposure by taking frequent breaks and allowing your eyes to relax.
Fluorescent lights can be another culprit regarding headaches at the workplace. In some studies, fluorescent lights have been reported as triggering migraines in nearly half of all women who have had a history of migraines. To reduce the effect of this type of lighting (which has also been found to increase tiredness) you can increase the amount of natural light coming into your office space by raising blinds, or if possible, by repositioning your desk. Taking short (two minute) breaks to relax the eyes whenever possible can also help.
Drink Plenty of Water
Dehydration is one of the most common causes of headaches. This is because when the body is dehydrated, the lack of water causes the brain to temporarily contract or shrink from fluid loss. This in turn causes the brain to pull away from the skull, causing pain and resulting in a dehydration headache. Drinking plenty of water is a good solution, and keeping a bottle on your desk should help to remind you to drink water more frequently.
Try Progressive Relaxation Exercises
While some level of stress in the workplace is normal, consistently high levels of stress, or facing particularly stressful tasks such as preparing for a presentation or meeting with a difficult boss can sometimes cause headaches. Stress is a known trigger factor, which is why it is a good idea to keep on top of your stress levels as much as you can. One way of doing that is by practicing progressive relaxation, which involves flexing and relaxing the muscle groups on your neck and shoulders. There are many online tutorials for quick relaxation techniques which you can practice sitting at your desk.
Also, tension in the neck due to hunching over a screen can sometimes put pressure on the nerves that connect to the head, triggering a headache in the process. Progressive relaxation exercises can help with headaches by preventing the nerves from becoming tight in the first place.
Corporate Healthcare
At Glasgow Medical Rooms we believe health and wellbeing make up the foundation of a great workforce. Numerous days and productive hours are lost each year due to absenteeism and illnesses which can spread through the workplace. We offer a range of corporate healthcare services and our planned programme of corporate wellbeing to suit your company’s needs.
It can often take a few days for a staff member to be seen by their NHS GP, meaning they could be taking more time off before they are given treatment or advice to combat their illness. In addition, if further referrals are required for injury or further examination, this could take even more time.
Here at Glasgow Medical Rooms, we can offer same-day appointments with our Private Doctors and can place urgent referrals when required. This can help you minimise absenteeism and maximise workforce productivity. For more information why not get in touch and give us a call today.
