You can almost feel it coming on. The tension, the throbbing in your temples; you just know you’re about to get hit with a doozy of a headache. So what do you do? Well, before you down two Excedrin with some water, you may want to instead put a pencil between your teeth.
According to a Woman’s Day article found online, when we are stressed, we naturally clench our teeth, which can cause strain to the muscle connecting the jaw to the temples. By putting a pencil between the teeth, it effectively unclenches the jaw and can help alleviate the stress.
The article also pointed out that this remedy only works on tension headaches and not migraines or headaches caused by sinus pressure. In those cases, you may just want to pop the over-the-counter pain reliever you prefer, and get some rest.
Do you have a question about tension headaches and stress? Check out EmpowHER’s pages. Sign-up, post a question, share your story, connect with other women in our groups and community, and feel EmpowHERed!
Resource:
Woman’s Day: 7 Home Remedies that Actually Work
Stress and Anxiety Can Cause Tension and Migraine Headaches
Christine Jeffries is a writer/editor for work and at heart, and lives in a home of testosterone with her husband and two sons. Christine is interested in women’s health and promoting strong women.