If stalled traffic and tight deadlines make your head throb, you may suffer from tension headaches.

“Headaches have become an ordinary occurrence for most women and many of them feel helpless when dealing with this problem,” says South Africa’s migraine research pioneer Dr Elliot Shevel. Since stress is their most common cause, those pounders can be eased with relaxation.

Try One of These Tricks to Nip Them in the Bud:

Deep Rhythmic Breathing
Shallow breaths cause CO2 levels in your body to rise. This dilates the blood vessels in your head, which can cause pain.

Do This: Count to five as you inhale through your nose, then count to five as you exhale through your mouth. Repeat 10 times.

Creative Visualisation
Yes, it’s a cliché, but thinking of a “happy place” can halt the release of stress hormones.

Do This: Focus on combining deep rhythmic breathing with thoughts of yourself relaxing in a soothing environment such as a beach or forest.

Progressive Relaxation
Tension in your shoulder, neck and back muscles can cause pain to radiate into your head.

Do This: Working up from your feet, contract each major muscle group one at a time. Inhale, hold for eight seconds, then exhale and release.

“If problems persist, it’s imperative that you get an accurate diagnosis,” adds Shevel. The longer the headache persists, the more damage is done. There are a number of treatment options and a permanent resolution of pain is possible in most cases. Click here for more info.