Pushing Through a Headache During Gym Workouts
gym workout, headache
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If you occasionally get headaches after a long day of work, it probably disrupts your gym experience - maybe even cancels it out. Here's some advice for sticking to your fitness goals, regardless of your occasional headaches.
I deal with this problem more often than most. My regular gym schedule is right after work (like most people) and I often develop a headache on my way home at the end of the day. This usually KILLS my gym experience. The headache usually keeps me from performing well, and tends to hurt more and more as the exercise continues.
There's no absolute answer - headaches are annoying - but there are some different strategies for dealing with the situation while not experiencing a set-back in your fitness goals.
First, Try to Avoid the Headache:
A few small tips for avoiding headaches include getting adequate sleep and doing the best you can to live a stress-free life. Also, if it's sunny out, wear sunglasses on your way home from work - the glare can often cause short-term headaches.
If the headache is inevitable, try to cure it:
Take a Short Nap - Sometimes headaches can be cured with a 20 minute power nap. If you didn't get enough sleep the night before, this is probably your best bet - but it may involve switching your gym schedule.
Take Pain Killers - This tip is somewhat obvious, but try taking some tylenol of aleve (my favorite) before your drive to the gym.
Drink Caffeine - Many people experience afternoon headaches because their morning coffees have lost their energizing effect. Drinking a caffeinated drink in the afternoon may offer quick headache relief. Caffeine can disrupt sleep patterns, so try not to make it a habit.
Neck Massage - If you someone willing, get a quick neck massage for relaxation which can sometimes relieve head pain. If no one wants to touch your neck, try massaging it yourself. Be aware, this could lead to more headaches if you're not good at it.
Still have a Headache at Gym Time? The battle isn't over yet... There's still hope.
Start your workout with a relaxing stretch or yoga (if you know some basic yoga). If there is any other warm up exercise that relaxes you, do it. Relaxing might get rid of the headache before you get into the grueling workout.
If you're ready to pump some iron or sprint on the treadmill, but still have the headache, you're going to have to be mentally strong and possibly modify your workout. Whatever you do, don't say screw it and go home - unless it's really freakin hurting.
Here's my mental strategy for working out with a headache:
Try not the think about it - Sometimes if you forget about it, it goes away.
Turn off the iPod - Although the music usually pumps me up, when I have a headache it tends to make it worse. Use headache days to give your iPod a break - most likely you're sick of the same mixes anyway.
Focus on Form, Not Intensity - When I workout with a headache, I lower the weight. Doing heavy weight gets my blood pumping too much and causes my head to throb more and more. I make up for the weight difference by using perfect form. This is good to do even if you don't have a splitting headache. I focused solely on form yesterday and woke up this morning feeling more sore than after heavy days.
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on 7/1/2008
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