Migraine Headache Warning Signs - My Action Steps
The key for me in managing my migraine headaches was to learn how to identify the triggers that caused my migraines and try to avoid them.
Unfortunately, I couldn't avoid all of them - stress for example-so I had to learn how to take action to reduce the severity of the migraine.
Warning Signs If you suffer from migraines you probably know by now that most migraines don't just "happen" all of a sudden with no warning.
I usually get warning signs a day or two before and if I am paying attention I can recognize them and takes steps to lessen or sometimes avoid my headache.
Many migraine sufferers may recognize some of these early warning signs:
Steps to Take When you recognize your early warning signs you need to take action.
When you first begin to feel a migraine is nearing try some of these techniques that work: Deep focused breathing - we all breathe without thinking about how we do it.
But focused deep breathing is the key to most relaxation techniques, making sure to fully exhale as you bring in and tighten your abdomen.
To make it easier for me to focus on my breathing I count as I exhale.
First I inhale deeply through my nose and then begin to slowly count to four as I exhaled.
This technique helps me to clear my mind and focusing on my breathing.
Scan your body and focusing on relaxing where you hold tension.
We all hold tension in our bodies, whether it's in a common place like the neck or shoulders as I do, or some other part of the body.
As you focus on breathing you can also learn to relax specific parts of your body.
Learn to identify where you hold your tension and practice on relaxing.
For example, I learned to slowly raise my shoulders up as far as I could and then allow them to quickly drop.
I do this about 20 times - it really works - but you have to focus on letting go of the tension.
In summary, the key to preventing or lessening the severity of migraines can be as simple as learning to identify your trigger points, take action early, and learning to use techniques that help you to relax both your mind and your body.
Unfortunately, I couldn't avoid all of them - stress for example-so I had to learn how to take action to reduce the severity of the migraine.
Warning Signs If you suffer from migraines you probably know by now that most migraines don't just "happen" all of a sudden with no warning.
I usually get warning signs a day or two before and if I am paying attention I can recognize them and takes steps to lessen or sometimes avoid my headache.
Many migraine sufferers may recognize some of these early warning signs:
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Easily Irritated
- Particular food cravings
- Stress response- I get tension in my neck and shoulders
Steps to Take When you recognize your early warning signs you need to take action.
When you first begin to feel a migraine is nearing try some of these techniques that work: Deep focused breathing - we all breathe without thinking about how we do it.
But focused deep breathing is the key to most relaxation techniques, making sure to fully exhale as you bring in and tighten your abdomen.
To make it easier for me to focus on my breathing I count as I exhale.
First I inhale deeply through my nose and then begin to slowly count to four as I exhaled.
This technique helps me to clear my mind and focusing on my breathing.
Scan your body and focusing on relaxing where you hold tension.
We all hold tension in our bodies, whether it's in a common place like the neck or shoulders as I do, or some other part of the body.
As you focus on breathing you can also learn to relax specific parts of your body.
Learn to identify where you hold your tension and practice on relaxing.
For example, I learned to slowly raise my shoulders up as far as I could and then allow them to quickly drop.
I do this about 20 times - it really works - but you have to focus on letting go of the tension.
In summary, the key to preventing or lessening the severity of migraines can be as simple as learning to identify your trigger points, take action early, and learning to use techniques that help you to relax both your mind and your body.
