5 Lifestyle Changes that Help Manage Migraine

5 Lifestyle Changes that Help Manage Migraine

One’s lifestyle has a massive impact on altering the intensity and the frequency of headaches and migraines. So, be it tension headache, cluster headache, or migraine, all of it can be managed by making a few lifestyle changes. Read on to know the lifestyle changes that help manage migraines.

  • Limit your caffeine intake
    When you experience migraines, your blood vessels are wide open. Caffeine in the drinks such as coffee, soda, and tea can narrow them and relieve you from pain. However, for some people, it is the other way round, where caffeine is a leading trigger of a rebound migraine, especially after its effect has worn out. Yes, a cup or two will not do much harm, but if you are repeatedly experiencing migraines after caffeine intake, it is best to eliminate it or limit its intake.
  • Avoid trigger foods
    There are some foods such as alcohol, aged cheese, chocolate, and others that trigger migraines. So, if you are aware of these food triggers, it is best to curtail their consumption. Other foods that can trigger a migraine attack include salty foods, processed foods, a few nuts and beans, food additives like aspartame, and food preservatives, such as Monosodium Glutamate (MSG).
  • Keep a tab on the weather
    A lot of people experience migraines as a result of weather changes. It is not only the cold snaps or the rainy days, which may lead to a headache. Even wild winds, bright sun, and humidity can trigger a migraine attack in some people. Why do you experience it? Weather changes knock brain chemicals, such as serotonin, triggering a migraine. While you cannot control nature, you can prepare yourself for weather changes. On days of extreme weather, it is best to stay indoors. Take your medicine at the first sign of a headache. Get adequate food, eat a healthy diet, and be active.
  • Have a fixed schedule for sleep
    Sleep is a mandatory requirement to keep your immune system strong. It keeps anxiety and depression at bay and promotes relaxation. Also, you must have a fixed and regular sleep schedule. It implies that you sleep and wake-up at a fixed time every day. Lack of sleep, oversleeping, or poor sleeping habits can trigger a migraine.
  • Keep yourself stress-free
    A significant lifestyle change that helps manage migraines is continually taking measures to de-stress yourself. You can try breathing exercises, meditation, tai chi, prayer, and yoga. Keeping yourself physically active is also an excellent way to prevent migraines and keep stress away.