Seemingly harmless daily habits can
do a number on your neck muscles. Here, sneaky reasons for the ache and how to
stop it.
1. Lack of sleep
Lying down is the only time that the discs
in your spine and neck can rehydrate with spinal fluid. That fluid is essential
to keeping neck discs, muscles and joints strong and pain-free.
Feel Better: Get at least 7 hours of sleep
a night. Even if you can’t sleep for that long, try to lie down for as long a
stretch as possible at night.
Get
at least 7 hours of sleep a night
2. Reading
Looking down at your e-reader or phone
tilts your head down and if you stay in this position for longer than 20
minutes, you might experience what experts call “text neck.”
Feel Better: Hold your device at eye level,
take breaks and try this strengthening move: Press your palm against your
forehead and push your head forward for 10 seconds.
Looking
down at your e-reader or phone tilts your head down for longer than 20 minutes,
you might experience what experts call “text neck.”
3. Your hairstyle
A ponytail at the center back of your head
bumps against the headrest and forces you to hyperextend your neck while
driving. This is fine for a quick run to the grocery store, but if you’re stuck
in traffic for longer than 20 minutes, your neck may hurt.
Feel Better: Fasten hair at the base of
your neck or on the top of your head.
A
ponytail at the center back of your head bumps against the headrest and forces
you to hyperextend your neck while driving.
