Headaches can sneak into your day when you least expect it, turning a good day into a miserable one in no time. While many factors can cause headaches, some of your daily habits may be playing a significant role. It’s not just about stress or dehydration—there’s more at play than you might realize.

If you often wonder why headaches keep cropping up, your routine could be a part of the problem. Keep reading to learn about six common habits that may be triggering your headaches.

If you drink too much caffeine, it can backfire and cause headaches

While Caffeine can help relieve headaches at times, too much caffeine might do the opposite. Many of us rely on coffee, energy drinks, or soda to get through the day. However, excessive caffeine can lead to something called “caffeine rebound headaches.”

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) explains that when your body becomes dependent on caffeine, suddenly cutting back or missing your regular dose can cause withdrawal headaches. This often happens to people who drink a lot of coffee or other caffeinated beverages throughout the day. According to a study, even as little as 100 mg of caffeine (about one cup of coffee) can start this withdrawal process in some people.

So, if you find yourself needing more caffeine to get through the day, you may want to cut back gradually to avoid triggering headaches.

If you skip meals, your blood sugar drops and triggers headaches

Skipping meals might seem harmless, especially when life gets busy. However, skipping meals or not eating enough can drop your blood sugar, leading to headaches. Collene Lawhorn, a neuroscientist, explained to Very Well Health that low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, is a common cause of headaches, particularly among people prone to migraines.

When your blood sugar drops, your body sends out stress hormones like cortisol, which can trigger headaches. You might notice this happening when you’ve gone too long without eating, especially if you have a busy schedule.

To prevent this, make sure to eat regular meals with balanced nutrients to keep your blood sugar stable. And if you’re someone who forgets to eat, setting reminders can help avoid the headache that comes from missing a meal.

Poor posture puts strain on your neck and leads to tension headaches

Sitting for long periods with poor posture can do more damage than just causing a sore back or neck. In fact, poor posture can lead to tension headaches. Think about how you sit at your desk or scroll on your phone. Many people tend to slouch, which puts pressure on the muscles and nerves in the neck.

Cleveland Clinic notes that tension headaches are often linked to muscle tension in the neck and shoulders. When you’re slouched over for extended periods, those muscles become strained, triggering pain that radiates into your head.

Fixing this is simple: Pay attention to your posture. Sit up straight, keep your feet flat on the floor, and avoid hunching your shoulders. Even small adjustments in how you sit or stand can make a difference over time.

Dehydration is a major headache trigger, especially when you’re not drinking enough water

You’ve probably heard that dehydration can lead to headaches, but it’s more common than you might think. When you don’t drink enough water, your body can’t function properly, which often results in a dehydration headache. Cleveland Clinic explains that dehydration causes your brain to temporarily shrink from fluid loss, which can trigger a painful headache.

The fix? It’s straightforward: Drink more water. Health expert recommends aiming for at least eight glasses of water a day. Keep a water bottle handy throughout the day to help you stay hydrated.

If you’re not getting enough sleep, it can definitely lead to headaches

Sleep is another factor that often gets overlooked. Whether it’s staying up too late, waking up too early, or not getting enough quality sleep, your sleep habits have a big impact on headaches. Sleep deprivation increases the production of proteins in your body that cause chronic pain, including headaches, according to a study published in 2020.

Your body needs consistent, restful sleep to function well. When you disrupt that pattern, it can lead to all sorts of problems, headaches being one of the most common. Even getting too much sleep can cause headaches—what’s often called “weekend headaches,” when you sleep in after a long week.

Doctors recommend sticking to a regular sleep schedule, even on weekends, to help prevent headaches from throwing off your day.

Excessive screen time can strain your eyes and lead to digital eye strain headaches

In today’s living, it’s hard to avoid screens. Whether it’s work, social media, or entertainment, most of us spend hours every day staring at screens. But prolonged screen use can lead to what’s called digital eye strain, which often triggers headaches.

According to the American Optometric Association, digital eye strain happens when you spend long periods in front of a screen without taking breaks. The bright light and flicker from screens can cause eye fatigue, which often translates into headaches, especially if you’re using screens in low light or with improper brightness settings.

The fix? The 20-20-20 rule is a great place to start. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Research suggests this gives your eyes a chance to rest and can help reduce strain that might lead to headaches.