Here are 6 ways to avoid work-related stress and headaches, according to a neurologist.

Often, work doesn't stay in the office. Pending tasks can follow us home and prevent our minds from finding peace. At that point, unpleasant symptoms can appear, such as tension, stress, and headaches. For Dr. Danielle Winhour, Associate Professor of Neurology at the Anschutz Medical Campus of the University of Colorado, while it is a common and normalized experience, being in that state all day has consequences for physical health. As she recounted in a conversation with The Washington Post, she often sees many patients with severe headaches, whose origin is frequently work-related stress. How stress affects quality of life: "Stress is not inherently harmful (...) However, problems arise when it becomes chronic and relentless. When the brain continuously perceives constant demands, without adequate recovery, it keeps the body in a prolonged state of alert," she explained. This is when cortisol and adrenaline persistently rise, increasing heart rate and muscle tension in the neck, shoulders, and scalp. It also lowers the pain threshold, "making it easier for headaches to appear and harder for them to disappear." Furthermore, chronic stress is a trigger and aggravating factor for migraines. 6 ways to avoid work-related stress and headaches, according to a neurologist. Trends / La Tercera: "Prolonged periods of sitting, sustained concentration, and physical tension during the workday can contribute to the development of tension headaches in the later hours of the day." On the other hand, stress also affects sleep: those who are mentally active all day have more difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. And if you don't sleep well, the body won't recover enough. "Lack of sleep can, in turn, perpetuate the cycle of stress, making the brain more sensitive and increasing the likelihood of headaches the next day." 6 ways to avoid work-related stress and headaches, according to a neurologist. 6 measures to avoid work-related stress and headaches: "You will never completely eliminate stress," the doctor assured. "That is neither realistic nor necessary." However, understanding how chronic stress affects the body is the first step in reducing it. The next step, according to the specialist, is to take simple but effective measures, in order to create a space for the body to recover. 1. Incorporate transitions: take five or ten minutes between activities to breathe, stretch, or sit quietly instead of going from one task to another without rest. Brief breaks reduce muscle tension and stress hormones. 2. Do more physical activity: walking, yoga, or even gentle stretching regulates the nervous system and helps it process stress hormones more efficiently. It also releases endorphins "which are natural painkillers." 3. Pay attention to your posture: subtle changes, such as adjusting the height of the chair or the screen, can make a difference. Also, try to remember to relax your shoulders and jaw, to prevent headaches. 4. Try mindfulness techniques: such as meditation, body scanning, and conscious breathing, which can retrain the brain to respond to stress with greater flexibility. 5. Set boundaries with your work: if possible, limit email outside of work hours, define a clear end to your workday, and designate certain areas of your home as work-free zones. "If headaches persist, seek medical help. A medical evaluation can identify underlying causes and guide you on appropriate treatment options," the doctor added. Today, there are treatments, such as kinesiology, physical therapy, behavioral therapy, and pain reprocessing, which have good results in treating and preventing headaches.