Migraines
Your lifestyle has a lot to do with preventing the frequency and intensity of migraines and headaches, whether it’s cluster or tension headaches, or a migraine.1
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THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP PREVENT OR REDUCE THE FREQUENCY OF MIGRAINES AND/OR HEADACHES:
AVOID CERTAIN FOODS1 Alcohol, chocolate, aged cheeses, and other foods can trigger a tension headache or migraine. But if you know certain foods are a problem for you, limit how often you eat them.
EAT REGULAR, BALANCED MEALS 1 Basing your diet primarily on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats (and limiting foods that trigger an attack) is a good way to prevent migraines and/or headaches. Also, don’t skip meals. Skipping meals makes you hungry, which can trigger a migraine.
ESTABLISH A SLEEP SCHEDULE1 Sleep helps keep your immune system strong, wards off depression and anxiety, and promote deep relaxation. Poor sleeping habits, a lack of sleep, or too much sleep can actually trigger a migraine or tension headache.
MANAGING MENSTRUAL MIGRAINES 2 Besides dietary and lifestyle changes mentioned herein, it is also recommended that you keep well hydrated, as well as consider taking a magnesium supplement daily, increasing intake prior to your menstrual cycle.
PRACTICE GOOD POSTURE 1 Poor posture (e.g., hunching over a computer all day) can strain your head, neck, and shoulder muscles, leading to a migraine or headache. Check yourself throughout the day and correct your posture. • Are your shoulders hunched? • Is your spine straight? By making some adjustments to your posture, it may help reduce the frequency of migraines and tension headaches.
DON’T SMOKE1 Smoking not only damages your lungs, but it can also increase your headaches and other symptoms.
By avoiding things you know that may set off a migraine or headache and incorporating healthy habits, you can actually help to reduce the number of migraines or headaches you experience. 1
Exercising may be beneficial for migraines and headaches as it boosts your mood giving you a feeling of well-being, decreases your sensitivity to pain due to the release of endorphins (the ‘feel good’ hormones), promotes a healthy sleep pattern, which also lowers stress levels. 3
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SOME EXERCISE IDEAS THAT CAN HELP YOU MANAGE MIGRAINES AND HEADACHES
Biking, swimming, and walking are great ways to fit in aerobic exercise and help reduce the frequency and severity of migraines and headaches. 3
Meditation exercises, deep breathing, and other relaxation techniques can ease your mind and your pain by helping you focus on the present moment as well as helping you foster a positive attitude. 3
Yoga poses and other types of stretching can help reduce muscle tightness and tension in the head, neck, and shoulders. This is important because when these muscles are tight, it can make migraine and headache symptoms worse. Yoga helps loosen these muscles as well as helps reduce stress. 3
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LIMIT HIGH-IMPACT EXERCISE
When you have migraines and/or headaches, intense exercise, such as running, can aggravate head pain and other symptoms. 3
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WARM UP AND COOL DOWN
For every workout, aim to warm up for 10 minutes and cool down for 10 minutes. 3
Medical References
