Top Migraine Hacks
Slip on Shades
Does light makes you wince in pain? You could be one of the many people with migraine who have light sensitivity, called photophobia. If you can’t dim the brightness around you by drawing the curtains or turning off the lights, make your own darkness and wear sunglasses indoors.
Swipe to advance
Stick to a Schedule
The key word is “regular.” Pick set times to go to bed and wake up every day. Exercise regularly. Stick to usual times for meals and snacks. Consistency helps your body know what’s coming up next and may give you fewer migraine attacks.
Swipe to advance
Get a Grip on Your Stress
It’s one of the biggest triggers for migraine pain. So aim to boost calm in your life. Un-busy your schedule where you can, but carve time for things you enjoy. Steady relief is your friend. If you stay stressed during the work week and relax only on the weekend, the shift can bring on migraine, too.
Swipe to advance
Block the Scents
If someone’s perfume or other odors set off your migraine, reach for a soothing scent like mint or coffee beans. A sniff of the substitute scent can block the smell that causes pain and may head off an attack.
Swipe to advance
Aromatherapy Therapy
Speaking of scents, some smells may help dull headaches. Peppermint may make you less aware of pain, and lavender may lower your anxiety. You can apply them in their oil form to your temples or the inside of your wrist.
Swipe to advance
Turn Up the Heat
Warm compresses, a steamy shower, or a toasty soak in a bath can ease the tension of tight muscles that might add to your migraine pain.
Swipe to advance
Cool Down
Go the other way and try a cold comfort. Some studies show that wrapping a cold pack around your neck when a migraine hits can lower your headache pain. Experts don’t know why that helps. Cooling down the blood as it makes its way to your brain may lower swelling and dull your pain.
Swipe to advance
Tame Screen Glare
Blue light is usually the hardest hue to handle when you deal regularly with migraine. That’s the color that glows from your computer and smartphone. So break away from screens when you feel a migraine coming on. Some people say rose-tinted glasses help by blocking blue light.
Swipe to advance
Have an Orgasm
It doesn’t work for everyone, but sex can be a migraine-buster for some. Experts think it may be because endorphins, aka the feel-good hormones, released during an orgasm act like natural painkillers. Masturbation is also an option.
Swipe to advance
Roll Away Pain
Relaxing your feet can ease tension in other parts of your body, including your head. Sit and put your bare or sock-covered foot on a tennis ball and roll it around. Notice areas that are especially tender and focus in on those. Repeat on the other foot.
Swipe to advance
Pinch Your Hand
Another spot you can target for tension relief is the fleshy pad between your thumb and first finger. Pinch this area with two fingers and feel around for soreness. One reason this might help is by giving you a feeling of control over your pain.
Swipe to advance
Breathe Mindfully
Focus as you breathe in and out for at least 10 minutes. That can flood your body with calm and lower your stress. Boost your relaxation and target the different muscle groups in your body as you inhale and exhale to release all your tension.
Swipe to advance
Mute the Noise
Migraine can be triggered by just about any of your senses, including your hearing. Just like lights, loud noise can set off your migraine. Get to a quiet space when it hits. If you can’t, carry earplugs to block out the din on the spot.
Swipe to advance
Settle Your Stomach
If migraines give you nausea, keep motion-sickness bands handy to ward off a queasy stomach. Sip peppermint tea and nibble saltines, which also can help a crummy tummy.
Swipe to advance
Sources Medically Reviewed on 04/16/2018 Reviewed by Melinda Ratini, DO, MS on April 16, 2018
IMAGES PROVIDED BY:
- Thinkstock
- Thinkstock
- Thinkstock
- Getty
- Getty
- Getty
- Thinkstock
- Thinkstock
- Thinkstock
- WebMD
- Thinkstock
- Thinkstock
- Thinkstock
- Thinkstock
SOURCES:
American Migraine Foundation: “5 Migraine Hacks From Our AMF Migraine Community,” “Headache Hygiene – What is it?” “Photophobia (Light Sensitivity) and Migraine,” “Complementary Therapies and Coping Tools.”
National Headache Foundation: “Can Aromatherapy Help with Migraine?”
Mayo Clinic: “Migraines: Simple steps to head off the pain.”
Hawaii Journal of Medicine & Public Health: “Randomized Controlled Trial: Targeted Neck Cooling in the Treatment of the Migraine Patient.”
Cephalalgia: “The impact of sexual activity on idiopathic headaches: an observational study.”
American Massage Therapy Association: “Tackling Migraines Head-On.”
Headache: “Noise as a trigger for headaches: relationship between exposure and sensitivity.”
American Academy of Ophthalmology: “Migraines: More Than Meets the Eye.”
Reviewed by Melinda Ratini, DO, MS on April 16, 2018
This tool does not provide medical advice. See additional information.
THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on to make decisions about your health. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the WebMD Site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.
