Have you ever had a headache after a hard workout?
The past 3 times I exercised I found myself with a terrible headaches several hours after I finish. I know that I am challenging my heart rate during my runs and thus constricting blood flow so it makes sense that headaches could occur, but it’s really becoming a detriment to the rest of my day. I am eager to find a way to combat this.
I consulted Dr. Google and learned that this is very common (which is reassuring). Most sites recommended combating headaches with traditional pills like Advil but I would prefer a more holistic approach. Fitness magazine wrote an article on the subject and stated that improper breathing, dehydration, and poor posture could all be to blame. Those are definitely factors to consider as I head to the gym today.
Part of me hopes this is just part of getting back in shape and is my bodies way of telling me to slow down. I have intentions of taking it way easier than yesterday so hopefully I will be in the clear.
Please let me know if you have ever experienced this and what you did to make the headaches stop. I am not giving up on running or intense workouts, but suffering multiple headaches a week seems like a steep price to pay!
When this happens to me it’s usually an electrolyte or salt issue (probably along with dehydration). So try drinking Gatorade or something similar after you finish your workout. I also have a friend who swears by V-8. She’ll drink it after runs for the salt and says it totally eliminated her post workout issues.
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I definitely think it’s dehydration! I usually get them after a run in the heat, where I don’t drink enough water!
Ditto to the mention of water above — I used to deal with this all the time, and it was almost always remedied by drinking more right after working out. Making sure to have a little something to eat right after may help too if it’s a blood sugar issue.
Another reminder I have is that is you’re running outside, be sure to wear both a hat and sunglasses — squinting and direct sunlight will give you some nasty headaches!
I agree with it being the dehydration factor a lot of times. Also, for me personally, in can be related to my allergies. Some days are just bad. I know you were looking for a holistic solution, but if it’s allergies, that’s a toughy :/
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Are you freaking kidding me????? After what our Community recently when through when one of our ‘healthy’ young adults experienced something similiar…..and you know the outcome!!!!
I am typing this from 30,000 ft – or else I would be ringing your phone of your ear…. You have always said “listen to your body”…..I think you are half listening……. Please reconsider your upcoming Marathon….
LOVE, ,Your one and only Smutha Mutha!
I have a few thoughts. First, it’s likely a combination of dehydration and salt loss. Drinks like Gatorade don’t have enough electrolytes in them so when you drink it it actually dilutes the salt in your body. I use salt tablets when I run, as well as a sports drink (something like Nuun works pretty well). The combination is really helpful; I tend to get muscle cramps but I went through a period when I would get bad headaches, also. Make sure to drink a lot of water for the rest of the day, as well.
Additionally, if it’s breathing related, have you heard about the 3-2 or 2-1 breathing pattern? Essentially you inhale for 3 steps and exhale for 2 steps (or 2 and 1 if you’re sprinting). It’s a little difficult to adjust to at first, but it makes a HUGE difference. By using an odd number of steps, it alternates the foot striking during an exhale (which has an increased force) and keeps you breathing regularly. It’s REALLY helpful when running hills. It took me a while to adjust to it, but now I find myself doing it when I’m walking or biking.
Hope those ideas help!
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