About Us

We're the creators of BetterSleep, a leading wellness app helping over 60 million people around the globe sleep better.

We’re on a mission to help people around the world live a happier, healthier life, through expert-led meditations, sleep stories, brainwaves and more.

Share article
Headaches and Sleep
sleep / wellness

Headaches and Sleep

by BetterSleep
6 min read
Share article

Undoubtedly, headaches are an easy way to ruin a good night’s sleep. Pounding pain in your head doesn’t exactly fit into a “relaxing” night routine. Keep reading to learn about the possible reasons you may be getting a headache and the next steps you can take to hit the pillow with ease.

Why do I get headaches when I wake up?

You constantly ask yourself, “why do I have a headache when I wake up?” Headaches in the morning are more common than you may think, especially for women over men and for people between 45 and 64. Research has found that around 1 in every 13 people wake up with headaches.

The American Migraine Foundation named these as some of the common headaches linked to sleep.

  • Wake-up headache: headaches you get right in the morning
  • Cluster headache: painful headaches usually develop within an hour of falling asleep.
  • Hypnic headache: a rare disorder that causes people to experience headaches during sleep that can last between 15 minutes and 4 hours.

Possible causes of morning headaches

You snore in your sleep.

That’s right, regular snoring was identified as a risk factor for chronic daily headaches. This may signify that you have obstructive sleep apnea (a common sleep disorder). Snoring doesn’t automatically mean you have sleep apnea, but it could be worth talking to your doctor.

You’re getting too much sleep.

Getting too much or too little sleep can trigger headaches. According to the Sleep Foundation, low-quality and longer sleep has been linked to more intense headaches.

You sleep in an uncomfortable posture.

We’ve all experienced that uncomfortable feeling of waking up with a kink in our neck. Sleeping posture is essential because poor posture can make your muscles tense or strained. Chronic pain is also known to affect sleep quality.

Post imagePost image

Your brain is more sensitive in the morning.

Your brain issusceptible in the morning when it wakes up, meaning you’re more susceptible to headaches.

Your pain medication has worn off by the morning.

Typically, pain medications take 4-8 hours to wear off, which means anything you took the night before will be gone by the time you wake up. Additionally, headaches can start when you’re asleep; it may be less effective by the time you wake up and take pain medication.

You have sinus pain and congestion.

Your nose is more likely to get congested at night when lying down. Additionally, allergies tend to be worse at night. The result? A sleep-impending headache. To avoid this sinus pain, try propping up your head on an additional pillow (this means it’s harder for your nose to get congested). In an article in Everyday Health, Dr. Satish Govindaraj, MD, of Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, recommends skipping that drink of alcohol before bed, taking an antihistamine before bed, and some other simple lifestyle changes.

The link between migraines and sleep

Migraines and sleep disorders seem to go hand in hand for many patients, though scientists are still exploring why this is. According to the American Migraine Foundation, people living with migraines are 2 to 8 more likely to have sleep disorders than the general public. People with chronic migraines report having insomnia almost double the amount people with less frequent headaches do.

Why is this? The American Migraine Foundation says it’s because of the comorbidities (like sleep disorders) and lifestyle factors that can make it hard to get a good night’s sleep.

The good news? Science has shown that preventative migraine treatmentscan help improve the quality of sleep. Make sure you talk to your doctor about your migraines to rule out any other possible causes of your pain so they can prescribe proper treatment.

In the meantime, here are daily things people with migraines can do to improve sleep quality.

These help to improve your sleep hygiene, so whether or not you suffer from migraines, it could benefit your sleep quality to give these tips a try!

Are you looking for more? Try BetterSleep to your nighttime routine for free to help you relax and wind down before bed.

Share article

Related posts

An Extra Hour of Sleep: Create a Morning Routine That Sticks
sleep

An Extra Hour of Sleep: Create a Morning Routine That Sticks

by BetterSleep
5 min read
Sleep Paralysis Explained
sleep

Sleep Paralysis Explained

by BetterSleep
10 min read
Sleep Hypnosis Apps: A Guide to Self-Hypnosis
sleep

Sleep Hypnosis Apps: A Guide to Self-Hypnosis

by BetterSleep
7 min read
Brown Noise
sleep / wellness

Brown Noise

by BetterSleep
4 min read
The Importance of Sleep
sleep / wellness

The Importance of Sleep

by BetterSleep
8 min read
Best Teas for Sleep
sleep / wellness

Best Teas for Sleep

by BetterSleep
10 min read
Coffee Naps: What Are They and Do They Work?
sleep / wellness

Coffee Naps: What Are They and Do They Work?

by BetterSleep
5 min read
Reading Before Bed: What You Should Know
sleep

Reading Before Bed: What You Should Know

by BetterSleep
7 min read
Can BetterSleep Help with Snoring?
sleep / news

Can BetterSleep Help with Snoring?

by BetterSleep
8 min read
Remembering Dreams: Why You Don't
sleep

Remembering Dreams: Why You Don't

by BetterSleep
7 min read

Top 10 posts

Generative Music by Alexey Seliverstov Exclusively on BetterSleep
news

Generative Music by Alexey Seliverstov Exclusively on BetterSleep

by BetterSleep
5 min read
Celebrate World Sleep Day with BetterSleep
sleep

Celebrate World Sleep Day with BetterSleep

by BetterSleep
2min
From Beats to Bliss: Grammy-Nominated Artist Timbaland Teams Up with BetterSleep to Introduce Meditation Music
news

From Beats to Bliss: Grammy-Nominated Artist Timbaland Teams Up with BetterSleep to Introduce Meditation Music

by BetterSleep
6 min read
How to Use the BetterSleep Sound Mixer to Improve Sleep
wellness / sleep

How to Use the BetterSleep Sound Mixer to Improve Sleep

by BetterSleep
5min
Prepare for Daylight Saving Time 2025 with BetterSleep
wellness

Prepare for Daylight Saving Time 2025 with BetterSleep

by BetterSleep
5 min read
Biphasic Sleep: Is Sleeping in Two Parts Better for You?
sleep

Biphasic Sleep: Is Sleeping in Two Parts Better for You?

by BetterSleep
6 min read
What Are the Benefits of Sleep Coaching?
wellness

What Are the Benefits of Sleep Coaching?

by BetterSleep
5 min read
Quiet the Ringing: How BetterSleep Helps with Tinnitus
news

Quiet the Ringing: How BetterSleep Helps with Tinnitus

by BetterSleep
8 min read
Holiday Escapes: Drift Away with Travel-Themed Bedtime Stories
news

Holiday Escapes: Drift Away with Travel-Themed Bedtime Stories

by BetterSleep
New Year’s Starter Kit: How to Achieve Your 2025 Goals with Hypnosis
wellness

New Year’s Starter Kit: How to Achieve Your 2025 Goals with Hypnosis

by BetterSleep
5 min read