When you begin to feel like every little noise sets off an explosion inside your head, and every speck of light sends throbbing pain down to your stomach, you might be experiencing a migraine.
There’s no getting around it -migraines are no fun. Unlike normal headaches, migraines come with more pain and sometimes even nausea, and they’re even harder to treat.
If you’ve found yourself with debilitating symptoms like these from a migraine, try these seven tips and feel your pain melt away.
1.Rest in a quiet dark room
Most migraines result in extreme sensitivity to light and sound, so the first thing you should try is eliminating these stimuli.
Try resting in a dark room for a while, and sleep might just take you away. Sleeping doesn’t cure all headaches, but chemicals released in your brain during sleep might help to ease the pain.
Blocking out unnecessary sounds with earplugs and wearing a blindfold might just give you the relief you need, until you’re ready to get back out into the real world.
2.Apply heat or cold
Your grandma was onto something when she gave you this as a child. Applying a cold or hot compress to your forehead and the back of your neck isn’t just something from an old wive’s tale.
Ice can actually have a numbing effect for the pain, and distract your brain, giving you a chance to enjoy some relief.
Applying heat can help to relax tense muscles and achieve the same goal of added relief.
Switching back and forth between hot and cold is a great way to give yourself some continuous relief until your migraine passes.
3.Drink plenty of water
Dehydration can trigger migraines, so make sure you replenish fluids and electrolytes to help rebalance your system. Simply doing this can alleviate your migraine altogether.
If you have trouble drinking enough water, use lemon slices or water flavoring to make drinking water easier.
For those who are just forgetful, it might be helpful to set a timer or an alarm (vibrate only) to remind you to continue drinking water.
4.Exercise
This might seem counterintuitive, but light aerobic exercise can help coping with and eliminating migraine pain. Exercise will get your blood flowing, give your body more oxygen, and ultimately help your brain to release endorphins, which always make you feel great.
Try going for a brisk walk or jog to jumpstart your body. Sometimes, that’s all it takes to get you feeling better.
5.Try meditation
Meditation has countless benefits, and not just for mental health. While meditation is great for treating things like anxiety and depression, it can also help to reduce your blood pressure and relax your entire body.
Simply focusing on the present moment as you inhale and exhale will help relax the tension in your muscles and alleviate pain.
Try doing a body scan as is taught in Vipassana meditation. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing for a few moments, then direct your attention to every part of your body, starting at your toes, and working your way up all the way to the crown of your head. Simply releasing tension through your breath as you go.
6.Try Lavender
Smelling lavender is a wonderful and easy way to relax. Lavender will naturally help your body release tension whether you inhale essential oils from a diffuser, or sip on lavender tea.
Either way, give it a try since there’s nothing to lose!
7.Take Cannabis
Cannabis has been shown to be extremely effective in reducing pain due to migraines. You can smoke, vape, or ingest it and still reap all the benefits.
We know the pain might be overwhelming, but be sure not to take too much. Taking too much might not make your migraine worse, but it could leave you feeling anxious and even less in control.
In case you ever find yourself in a situation where you’ve taken too much, check out this article on Veriheal and learn how to reduce the potential negative effects of cannabis consumption.
Conclusion
Dealing with migraines is something no one should have to deal with, but if you find yourself in a painful situation, try these seven tips and do your best to stay relaxed!