If the stress of the holiday season is taking its toll on your body, and you’re prone to migraines, that jolly trip to pick out presents can sour quickly. Don’t give up though. You may not believe in Santa anymore, but you can believe in the 5 below tips that promise to keep your days and nights merry and bright (even if you are extremely light sensitive).
1. Stay Hydrated
With all of the running around and time spent in the car, it’s easy to forget to hydrate during the holidays. Not to mention all the prominently featured booze at parties. Dehydration is a major migraine trigger, so keep the car stocked with water, and if you are attending multiple soirees, for every glass of champagne you cheers, chug 8 oz of water.
2. Stay Rested
It’s easy to focus on everyone but yourself this time of year– it is the season for giving after all. But if you aren’t sleeping enough, there’s a good chance your head is going to start pounding. Set a bed time and stick to it. It will make your migraines all the more manageable.
3. Eat, Drink, and Be Merry with a Few Exceptions
Some migraines are triggered by certain foods and beverages. We’re all for indulgences during the holidays, but if you know that chocolate cake or a spiked eggnog is recipe to send you into a migraine black hole, don’t give in to temptation. You’ll skip the headache and you’ll have a head start on those New Year’s resolutions. Plan ahead and keep your fridge stocked with foods that you know you can eat if a migraine comes knocking.
4. Keep Prescriptions Filled
It’s Christmas Eve, and you should be piling presents under the tree as your littles slumber in their beds, but you’re stuck with the worst migraine because you forgot to fill your prescriptions and the pharmacy is closed. Don’t let this happen. Keep your supply stocked and stay ahead of the pain.
5. Don’t Let Travel Stress You Out
The airports during holiday season are anything but cheery. Delayed flights, overcrowding, angry passengers, it’s enough to give anyone–even those not migraine prone– a serious headache. Some elements, like weather, are out of your hands, but planning ahead and making lists will help keep your spirits bright. Make to-do lists, pack early, head to the airport early, print out your boarding passes ahead of time– whatever it takes to make sure you stay stress free when flying. Stress is a major migraine trigger, so anything you can do to circumvent it will make traveling that much easier.
And remember, it doesn’t matter if the tree isn’t perfect, if the lights are a tad out of place, or you can’t fill every request on Christmas lists. Sit back, relax, and try to enjoy this happy time with family and friends. That’s the best way to avoid a migraine.