With today’s overload of stress, millions are battling with how to handle it and with the migraines that can come from it. Many turn to pain medications with no avail. In fact, opioid addiction is a growing problem, with an estimated 26 million people abusing heroin, morphine, and prescription pain relievers. These highly addictive drugs may seem like the only option for people in immense physical pain, but in reality they only cause more problems.
Many addictions begin with harmless intentions; pain relief is first and foremost on the minds of many individuals living with substance abuse. However, prescription pain relievers can be intense and can react unpredictably with other medications and substances, making them dangerous in several ways. If you have ever suffered from chronic pain–such as recurring migraines–you know that they are difficult to live with at the best of times. Nausea, light sensitivity, severe pain in the head or neck, and pain behind the eyes are just some of the symptoms sufferers deal with, leading some to seek relief in the quickest way possible.
The good news is that there are things you can do to prevent stress, migraines, and the symptoms of migraines, varying from medication to lifestyle changes. Here are a few of the best ways to handle it all.
Talk to your doctor
Of course, this should be the first step, because it’s possible that you’re already taking medication that is making your migraines worse, such as birth control. Changes in hormones may be responsible for recurring migraines in women; if you notice that your headaches come around the time of your period, talk to your doctor and ask about a change in your prescription.
There is medication available specifically for migraines which help blood flow; ask your doctor if any of these are right for you. Just make sure you come prepared: have a list of dates when migraines occurred, and write down your activities, food and beverages, and state of general well-being around that time as well. This can help you understand what to avoid in the future.
Studies have shown that women suffer with migraines much more than men, but males do get them. They may be stress-related, so…
Relax
Stress and anxiety can lead to migraines too, so do what you can to relax and keep the day from getting to you. Tension headaches can quickly lead to incapacitating, day-long migraines–especially if you are already prone to them–so consider practicing yoga, meditating, taking a long, hot shower or bath, or getting a massage. Learning the best ways to manage stress can help you prevent pain.
Remember: getting adequate rest and relaxation time is truly an important part of overall wellness. Don’t put off your “you” time because you’re busy, but instead welcome it each and every day–especially on stressful days–and remind yourself that a little R&R is the simplest, often most rewarding way to prevent and treat your migraines.
Get electric
It may sound scary, but electricity can actually help migraines when used correctly; namely, through Cefaly, a headband that sends electrical pulses through the forehead to a nerve associated with migraines. There is no pain involved, but some people have reported relief from headache pain after using it.
Reduce screen time
Our phones, laptops, tablets, and other digital media are such a big part of our lives that we often don’t second-guess them. Unfortunately, too much screen time can cause eyestrain, especially after long periods of consistent use. Give yourself some analog time each day: go for a walk, stop by your local cafe to read a good book (pssst–e-readers don’t count!), or take your dog to the dog park to get some fresh air. Even simply making the conscious effort to cut back on your screen time overall–like only allowing yourself to check social media after work, for instance–can help reduce your eyestrain.
Finally, the easiest thing you can do to try and prevent migraines is simply taking care of yourself. Eat well, get enough rest, and exercise regularly. Having healthy habits will not only ensure pain prevention, it will help you feel better in other ways, too. After all, who couldn’t use more good days?
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