Home Health • Early Morning Headaches: 7 Reasons Why You Wake Up With A Headache



Our body rests and recovers during sleep, so after waking up, you should feel full of strength and energy. But sometimes we wake up with a headache, and there can be no talk of any kind of vigor.

In this case, first of all, it is necessary to deal with the cause of the unpleasant state. Without proper rest, it is impossible to be in a good mood and be productive. In this article, we will explain some reasons that lead to headaches in the morning.

Reasons For Early Morning Headaches

Let’s dig into the reasons that can lead to the development of a headache in the morning. The best you can do is to avoid these things to wake up fresh and full of energy.

1. Wrong Sleep Patterns

In order to fully rest, the body needs an average of 7-8 hours of sleep. If you sleep less, you risk waking up with a headache. The fact is that a lack of sleep literally puts your body into a panic. The heart rate increases and the level of stress also increase.

Well, as a result – your awakening is unlikely to please you. But the other extreme is also responsible for the unpleasant morning rise. If you spend more time in bed than the previous days (for example, you decided to sleep off on the weekend), the hormone serotonin stops being released.

Due to it, the blood flow decreases, and a headache starts. Therefore, it is so important to organize your sleep properly. You need to accustom yourself to go to bed and get up at the same time.

2. Drinking Caffeine And Various Medications 

If you cannot wake up without a cup of coffee in the morning, this may be the first sign of serious addiction. Caffeine acts as a drug on our nervous system. It stimulates it, raises blood pressure, and makes the body feel invigorated. As a one-time help, this is not bad.

But if you make a cup of coffee your daily helper, then the body will become addictive. And if you miss another portion, your body will respond to you with a headache. A similar effect may be due to the intake of certain medications. For example, you will face drowsiness and headache.

Remember that you should use only prescribed medications and taken them under the supervision of a physician. And if you suddenly get a headache because of taking the pills, you should immediately inform the specialist about it.

3. Health Problems 

Pay attention to your health if your head hurts in the morning for completely incomprehensible reasons. This symptom may indicate serious violations. For example, sharp pain in the area between the eyebrows or in the center of the forehead can signal sinusitis consequences.

In this case, the pain will increase due to the tilt of the head to the side or with its sharp turns. Also, pain can occur due to problems with the cervical spine. An uncomfortable pillow or sudden head turns during sleep can provoke a headache. It doesn’t matter what your pain’s nature is; the first thing you need to do is see a doctor.

4. Excessive Consumption Of Alcohol 

When you consume alcohol excessively at night, it is evident that you will wake up with a headache. If you do not stop this habit, the occurrence of headaches will become frequent. Moreover, you may also feel dizziness and a heavy head the next morning. If you really want to get rid of headaches once and for all, you need to get rid of addiction. There are several programs for people who belong to all occupations.

For example, if you are a veteran coming back to your country from duty, you may feel anxiety. In such situations, a person may take support from alcohol. Drinking a glass of wine regularly will develop its dependency. But there are several veteran alcohol rehab centers you can take help from.

5. Uncomfortable Sleeping Position Or Head Position Too High 

The cause of the headache can be a poorly chosen sleeping position. For example, an unnatural position of the head due to a pillow that is too high or due to placing another pillow under the head. During sleep, the body relaxes and rests so that all functions get slowed down.

Blood circulation is no exception. Improper posture can obstruct blood flow to the brain, resulting in hypoxia and headaches upon awakening. So clean up your sleeping piles and change your pillow if needed. In this case, the problem is likely to resolve itself.

6. Snoring While Sleeping

Snoring at night may well cause inconvenience. It causes inconvenience not only to those who are next to you but also to yourself at the moment of awakening. When you snore, your body lacks oxygen. Its deficiency leads to vasodilation in the brain and increased blood pressure.

As a result, the head begins to ache immediately after waking up. With such a problem, it is worth contacting a specialist. A doctor can understand the cause of snoring and suggest possible ways to eliminate it.

7. Depression and Anxiety Disorder 

The physical state of the body directly depends on your emotional state. Mood disorders can often be the cause of chronic headaches. So when a person has depression or anxiety disorder, their sleep patterns get disrupted.

The reason for this is a decrease in blood flow, which occurs due to a decrease in the level of the happiness hormone in the body. Moreover, such disorders are often accompanied by insomnia.


Early morning headaches can spoil your whole day. The mains reasons contributing to the developments of these aches have been discussed above in detail. You need to be careful and avoid bad habits that lead to an early morning headache. If the pain sustains, you need to consult a doctor.

In Health

Author:Milly Keenan