Dealing with Headaches During Quarantine

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has seen a rise in cases of anxiety and other mental health problems throughout the world. In the US alone, there was a 19% increase in reported clinical anxiety in February and another 12% increase in March, according to Mental Health America. 

In Australia, during a study which surveyed 1,200 people regarding their mental health, 30% of the sample set showed moderate to high anxiety levels, ABC News recently reported.

Anxiety can lead to physical manifestations that can further cripple and worry a person, more so during the pandemic and the uncertainty of having a ‘normal’ life. 

These physical symptoms include having headaches and migraines - a prevalent reality for some 284 million people around the world (as of 2017), aside from restless fidgeting and inability to relax.

While we recommend that you talk to a mental health professional to help you manage your condition, we at Ballarat and District Chiropractic Centre can help you deal with your anxiety-induced headaches. If you cannot go out of your home - and we understand that, given the extraordinary times we are living in - here are some suggestions to manage your headaches at home.

1. Take a Break
Are you constantly looking at your social media profile and scrolling through the news and reading what people are feeling during the pandemic? Put down the phone and take a break. 

It’s important to stay updated with what’s going in the world but when it becomes too much to be connected, take a step back and try to do something else - such as reading, cooking or picking up a new hobby.

2. Get Some Sleep
It’s difficult for others to sleep during this time, knowing that we cannot look forward to a more certain future. However, getting at least seven to eight hours of restful sleep a night can help manage your anxiety headaches.

Visiting a chiropractor in Ballarat, such as Ballarat and District Chiropractic, can help you get better sleep. Regular chiropractic care may help improve sleeping patterns.

3. Do Simple Exercises
Whether you’re working from home or still going to the office, you’ll feel some strain on the upper part of your body at some point. Stretching your neck, back and shoulders can alleviate headaches, especially if you’re working in front of a computer. 

You can also take a walk after an hour or so around your home to rest your eyes. 

4. Try Alternative Methods
Healing modalities such as chiropractic treatments for headaches are extremely helpful and can complement any medication your GP may prescribe you. 

You can visit a chiropractor for headache relief. People living with anxiety can often feel muscle stiffness along with chronic headaches and migraines so chiropractic care is one way to provide relief to these physical pains. 

Ballarat and District Chiropractic Centre have a team of chiropractors who excel at headache relief. We understand that headaches are common but are not normal. You may book appointments with us via phone call at 03 5333 7830 or on our website.