Why is a regular routine important for a child with headaches?

Involvement in regular activities keeps the brain and nervous system busy and distracts it. Lack of activity allows teenagers to focus all of their attention on their headaches, which, in turn, increases the severity of their pain. The first step in headache management is not getting rid of the pain, but getting rid of the misery that headaches produce. Following a regular routine is necessary. Function improves first -- pain improves later. When your child is home sick from school, she may feel miserable because of headache symptoms, but also because of missing interacting with friends, concerns about falling behind in schoolwork, and poor self-image. The longer she stays at home, the worse this misery becomes.