Tips For Enjoying Your Good Day
Do for Others
Migraines affect those who love us and care for us when we are down. Who is there for you during those times and what can you do for them while you feel well? This is next on your list.
Run a few errands for your husband? Cook a special dinner? Pick up your kids early from school to make cookies from scratch or to go to a movie? The point is to celebrate the good day together and make it special.
Volunteer
You might think this is crazy, but helping out others when you can makes you feel amazing and, yes, proud of yourself. The self-esteem of migraine sufferers is beaten down with every attack we get that debilitates us. We don’t feel like a hero very often; instead we lay there questioning our value.
So, if you choose to volunteer during your good days, it goes a long way in making you feel like you still are a person who contributes and makes a difference, and that feeds the soul. Even something small like going into your child’s classroom to read or help with an activity for an hour grants you those good feelings of still being part of something that matters.
Savor Each Moment
While you don’t want to go nuts and trigger a migraine attack, you do want to take advantage of feeling good. This means enjoying every last minute of this good period, even the small things like getting some shopping done or going out with your special someone for dinner.
Keep yourself in check to safeguard against triggers like certain foods and drinking alcohol, but if you feel relatively normal allow yourself to indulge in activities you might normally avoid. And take photos of your dinner out together. Laugh freely, without the shadow of migraine pain on your face. Make memories to sustain you through the next attack.
Just Breathe
Sounds weird, but when we experience pain and struggle our natural tendency is to hold our breath. We are like squirrels who sense danger and we just freeze everything, including our natural pattern of breathing. Take time to take in a few, deep cleansing breaths and pay attention to the feeling of no pain. It is an amazing feeling.
Let the stress and tension you hold onto as you anticipate the next challenge your condition might present leave your body with each exhale. Remind yourself to live in this moment, not in anticipation of your next migraine attack.
Final Thoughts
I believe that if migraine grants me a “good day" and I do nothing with it, afraid I will trigger another bad day, I have wasted a blessing. I have learned the bad days will eventually return no matter what I do, so I celebrate the good when I can.
I remember to keep myself in check on those days by watching what I eat and drink (avoiding known triggers) and I try and let stress and tension go. I think the more good days I enjoy the more I tend to have. Maybe it is the smiles, laughter or release of stress, but seizing the good days has improved my quality of life overall.
I am more than just a person who suffers migraines. My good day list keeps me and my loved ones going. It is my small miracle.
What's on your good day list to do?
