There are many reasons why you may get headaches after exercising. Here are some of the most common reasons and what you can do to cure them.
Some of the most common headache triggers after exercise are dehydration and overheating, improper exercise movements, and poor sleeping conditions. Let’s examine each one in a little more detail.
Dehydration and overheating – When you exercise, you cool your body through sweat. If you drink a lot of water during the day and night, you should be hydrated when you start exercising. If you wait until just before and during exercise to drink the water, it means that you have waited too long for the water to use as perspiration and cool your body. You need to learn to hydrate well before you start exercising. What you drink after your workout will rebalance your water reserves for the next session. It takes time for the body to store anything, including water. If you have headaches towards the end of your workout and you are not sweating enough during that workout, see if you are drinking enough water during the day.
Overheating It is related to your water reserves, but it can also occur if you exercise in excessive clothing or if you have too much sun directly on your head when you exercise or do not let your head “breathe”. Something like 70% of our heat is released from our heads when we exercise, so be careful when running or exercising with a hat on. Take it off occasionally to cool it down. Too much heat in the body can lead to exercise headaches. Observe running or exercising in the heat of the day or in direct, strong sun. Learn to exercise on cooler mornings or evenings.
Incorrect exercise movements – Staying in a certain position while exercising can cause headaches. Take the time to slowly work on your movements before picking up your pace. Be on the lookout for tension in the neck and shoulder area as well. For example, when running, relax your shoulders and release your arms. Tension builds up quickly in the neck and shoulder area. And when you’re not relaxed or stretched out, it can lead to headaches later in the day.
Poor sleeping conditions – Not using the right pillow or support when you sleep, or having a poorly maintained mattress can stress the muscles in your neck and back, which can lead to tight muscles or pinched nerves, all of which can cause headaches. . Exercise can make headaches worse. Check how you sleep and see how your head, neck, and shoulders feel each morning when you wake up. Sometimes doing simple neck and shoulder stretching exercises can keep your muscles loose and not bunch and cause a headache when exercising.
If you have headaches when or after exercising, monitor your water intake, your movements during exercise, and your sleeping positions. If they continue after making these changes, see a doctor. Dismissing physical conditions will help you identify what is causing your pain.