
2. Rest.
A stiff neck may be a message that your body is trying to tell you that you need to rest. Listen to the message! Because a stiff neck is often caused by excessive strain and overuse, the best way to ease the stiffness and pain is by taking a break and resting. When a stiff neck strikes, get some rest. Stop doing the activities that you participate in on a daily basis – especially those that strain your neck.
For example, if you play a sport that involves a lot of neck movement or if your job requires a lot of motion in the neck area, avoid doing those things for a few days, as they weaken and strain the neck muscles, which leads to a stiff neck. Medical experts say that limiting activity for a period of a day or two can help weakened and strained muscles recuperate.