Nothing will bring your productivity to a grinding halt quite like a headache. Tension headaches are the most common of the up to 150 different types of headaches – they cause mild to moderate pain and can make it hard to concentrate.
While a tension headache will go away on its own over time, there are a few things you can do to speed things up a little, reduce discomfort, and then get yourself back to work.
Get moving – Getting yourself up and out of the office for a quick stroll is a great way to clear your head and relieve headache pain. Some fresh air and a brief break from your computer screen may be all you need to get some relief.
Breathe – If you can’t take the time to step away from your desk try some breathing exercises. Known for reducing stress, improving your mood and concentration, and increasing blood flow, breathing exercises are a quick and convenient way to cure a headache. The most popular technique is deep breathing. By focusing on slow, deep, long breaths (inhale for five and exhale for five) you will reduce inflammatory pain and feel more relaxed.
Hydrate – A headache at work may simply be the result of dehydration. Many of us neglect the simple act of hydration at work – regular distractions make it way too easy to forget to refill our water bottles. Try taking a break to have a large drink of water, throw in some deep breathing and you might just find you’re ready to get back to work.
Take a tea break – A quick break for a nice cup of tea ticks a few boxes – it forces you to take a break away from your screen, it gives you a little hydration, and it also provides you with a nice shot of caffeine (which may be the reason you have a headache in the first place). If you, like so many of us, are caffeine dependent, your headache could be the reason for your pain – perhaps you’re craving some caffeine. If you’re not a caffeinated person, then a nice herbal tea might be all you need for some relief.
Medicate – You may not want to reach for the Panadol or Nurofen as a first resort but it’s a smart strategy to have both stocked in your workplace and included in our office supplies order. Before taking any sort of medication, always read the information inside or on the box. It might seem like a lot of work (there’s just so much to read!) but not all pain tablets are created equal, and some of them aren’t recommended for people with certain conditions.
If you’re finding that even after trying everything to get rid of a headache at work, it just keeps coming back, it might be time for a visit to the optometrist for an eye test. Eye strain is a major contributor to headaches, so you may just need a fancy new pair of specs. And of course, if all else fails, please take a trip to the doctor for some trusty medical advice.
About COS
COS is Australia’s largest privately owned office products supplier, servicing over 20,000 business customers across Australia and offering thousands of products used in today’s modern workplace – including technology, kitchen and cleaning, furniture, print and promotional items, and office supplies.
About Belinda Lyone
COS is the largest 100% Australian owned and operated B2B supplier of office products, selling over 21,000 products a year and employing over 350 staff. At the helm of it all is Belinda (pictured below), executive manager and daughter of founder Dominique Lyone. For over 11 years, Belinda has been part of the success of the family business as the General Manager for Strategic Sourcing & Marketing.