What people with migraine describe as a headache is actually a complex cascade of sensory inputs that culminate in an overwhelming feeling of pain. The good news is that many new treatment options are keeping migraine sufferers on the tennis court, at their son’s soccer game and alert in the office.
1. Relax
Migraine can turn any day upside down, but there are ways to ease the pain and prevent future attacks. Getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods and staying hydrated are all key to a headache-free lifestyle. But if your migraines are triggered by stressors like the weather or loud noises, you may be able to find relief through relaxation techniques and massage.
Relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and guided meditation, have been shown to help reduce the frequency of migraine attacks and decrease their severity, even in people who have been diagnosed with chronic migraine. Practicing these techniques on a daily basis can also improve the quality of your life by reducing other symptoms, such as anxiety and depression.
It might seem obvious to say, but many people who suffer from migraine believe that stress is a big trigger. The stress response activates the body’s fight-or-flight mechanism, which causes an increase in muscle tension, heart rate and blood pressure, and breathing rates. It’s a vicious cycle, because increased stress can lead to more headaches and decreased stress can make the pain from a headache feel worse.
Meditation, yoga and deep breathing are just a few of the popular mind-body practices that have been shown to be effective for stress reduction, but one of the most promising is mindfulness meditation. This practice helps to teach you how to become aware of and accept your thoughts and feelings without judgment. It’s also been found to reduce the heightened levels of stress hormones that contribute to your headaches.
Adding meditation to your daily routine doesn’t need to be long; it just needs to be consistent. In fact, studies have shown that the best results are achieved when you meditate regularly and at the same time each day. You may also explore comprehensive migraine treatment options, such as Illustria migraine treatment, to discover personalized approaches for managing and preventing migraines effectively.
2. Eat Right
A well-balanced diet is key to keeping migraines at bay. While it’s not a cure, eating right can make you less susceptible to triggers like foods, caffeine, stress and sleep deprivation.
It’s a good idea to start by avoiding the foods and beverages that you know are migraine triggers for you. For example, if fresh citrus fruits are a trigger for you, try substituting them with other fruits, such as berries or bananas, to get your daily dose of fruit without the migraine-inducing acidity.
Other foods, such as dairy products and nuts, can intensify sinus pressure and headaches, so it’s important to choose wisely. Plain yogurt contains probiotics, and consuming these bacteria can help ease inflammation in the gut that could be a source of pain. Nuts, such as cashews and almonds, can also be a source of magnesium, which is known to help alleviate migraines. However, if you are sensitive to nut allergies or intolerances, go with a non-dairy milk option instead.
Another dietary change to consider is eliminating foods and drinks that contain additives, which are often triggers for many people. This includes foods containing artificial flavorings, sweeteners and preservatives.
Try to consume a high-fiber, whole grain diet, such as oatmeal and brown rice. In addition to containing fiber, these whole grains are a great source of complex carbohydrates, which are slowly absorbed by the body and help prevent spikes in blood sugar. Also, eat plenty of vegetables and whole fruits, such as leafy greens like kale and Swiss chard, bell peppers, squash, carrots, beets and figs. Many of these veggies have a high water content, which helps ensure you stay hydrated.
3. Get Enough Sleep
Migraines are more than just a headache, and getting a good night’s sleep can be a helpful daily strategy for managing them. That’s why it’s important to make sleep a priority and to take steps that help you get the best rest possible, including setting a predictable bedtime routine, limiting screen time before bed, and using blackout curtains (if needed) in your home.
Keeping a diary can also help you identify potential migraine triggers. It’s often useful to write down what you were doing and eating at the time a migraine started, as well as note how long it lasted and whether or not you took medication. This is especially true after an unexpected change in routine, such as a weekend of sleeping in when you usually wake up around seven in the morning.
The brains of people with migraine hate change, which can cause them to feel thrown off balance and lead to a headache. A consistent bedtime, eating at the same times each day, and turning off devices an hour before bed can help maintain a healthy sleep routine. Move Against Migraine moderator Rachel notes that a “strict” bedtime helps her to relax and fall asleep at night, while member Phoebe uses an app to set an alarm for the same time each night and avoids looking at her phone or tablet while trying to sleep.
Another thing to consider is that poor sleep may be caused by a physical problem that you’re not aware of, such as snoring or bruxism (grinding your teeth). Talking to your healthcare provider can help identify and treat these issues so they don’t affect your ability to get the restful sleep you need.
4. Stay Active
Migraine can make it difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle. However, simple changes like getting adequate sleep, following a healthy diet, and exercising regularly can have a significant impact on migraine frequency and severity.
Aerobic exercise strengthens muscles and joints, and releases feel-good endorphins that can ease pain. Try walking, jogging or swimming. Alternatively, yoga can be an effective way to relieve stress, another common trigger for migraines. Studies have shown that practicing yoga five to six times a week can reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines.
Try to avoid high-intensity cardio, which can increase the risk of a headache. Instead, incorporate short bursts of intense workouts with rest periods. HIIT may also be beneficial for migraine sufferers, but always start slow and work your way up to the desired workout level.
Stretching and light aerobics can also be helpful, but it is important to note that some types of exercise may trigger a migraine. This is known as exercise-induced migraine or exertional migraine, and it typically occurs due to strenuous activity in hot weather or at high altitude.
A migraine diary can help you keep track of your symptoms and identify patterns. At the end of each day, mark if you experienced a migraine attack and how severe it was. If the migraine was mild and did not interfere with your function, then mark it as a green dot; if the migraine was moderate or disabling, then mark it as a yellow or red dot.
It is important to educate your friends and family members about migraines and how they can best support you. Be honest about your condition and the impact it can have on your life, and your loved ones will likely be more understanding when you have to cancel a dinner date or hangout because of an upcoming migraine.
5. Simplify Your Life
Trying to balance life’s responsibilities and activities is challenging for people who suffer from migraine. But avoiding certain triggers and sticking to a healthy diet can help manage symptoms. Getting enough sleep and regular exercise are also important. Incorporating a variety of complementary practices can also reduce stress, which often exacerbates symptoms. It’s helpful to communicate openly with loved ones about what it’s like living with migraine.
For example, it may be difficult to explain to a child that you can’t join her in the park because your migraine will make you sick or that you need to skip the family movie night because bright lights and loud noises trigger your headache. But it’s important for non-sufferers to understand the impact of the disease on your daily routine, so they can support you.
Many migraine and headache triggers are food-related, so it’s important to identify which foods trigger your attacks and then take steps to avoid them. A food diary can help you track and draw patterns, so you’ll know which foods to cut out of your diet. It’s also important to eat regularly and not skip meals, as this can trigger an attack.
Several supplements and herbs have been shown to reduce the frequency of migraine attacks, but it’s best to consult your physician before trying them. For instance, some herbal remedies can interact with medications you’re taking or have side effects. Also, it’s important to avoid overindulging in alcohol and caffeine. Using relaxation and stress management techniques can help ease the pain, such as deep breathing or meditation. Stress may trigger migraine symptoms in 7 out of 10 people with the condition. So it’s important to find ways to relax and stay in a positive mood, especially when you feel a headache coming on.