Make a To-Do List
I don’t know about you, but when offered help, my mind goes blank about what still needs to be done.
Shop When You Can When Stores Are Not Crowded
This is why the list will help. If you have a bit of energy after dropping off the kids at school, head to one store and cross the big things off your list. Basically, pace yourself and tackle that dreaded grocery shopping when the aisles are fairly empty.
Remember Food Is Not Really What the Holiday Is All About
Well maybe for some it is pretty important, but it is not everything. Keep a healthy perspective and remember what really matters: the people sitting around the table with you.
Don't Be Self-Conscious About Wearing Your Sunglasses
Rock those glasses even if it’s cloudy or even in the grocery store! Those bright lights can be the perfect trigger to a migraine that is ready to happen.
Be Ready With Ice
Cryotherapy involves cold temperatures applied for relief of swelling and pain to the body, which essentially removes heat from a specific part of the body causing the pain. So, make sure you have ice packs ready for a sudden onset of migraine pain.
It is believed that during a migraine, the blood vessels inside the head dilate too much, causing pain. These vessels become swollen with blood, which puts pressure on the nerves surrounding the vessels.
Both heat and cooling therapies are often used as temperature manipulation to reduce migraine and headache pain. The use of cold therapy is believed to cause the swollen blood vessels to constrict back to near normal size, which in turn reduces the pressure and pain level of the migraine or headache pain.
Stay Clear of Food Triggers
Foods that typically trigger migraines may include those with nitrates (bacon, sandwich meats and hotdogs) and sulfates (wine and dried fruit). Fermented cheeses and excessive caffeine can also play a role.
Everyone is different so if it does not bother you, than by all means eat (or drink) up. But if every time you eat bacon you get a headache, you might try the all-natural, uncured, no nitrate version — or simply don’t eat it.
Create a Sanctuary
My family can be loud. Very loud. The happier they are, the louder they seem to be. And turkey makes them happy.
Plan a place in your home where you can escape from the noise. Sometimes just knowing my bedroom is there, darkened and waiting if I need a 15-minute break from sound, is just enough to keep me going.
Above all else, do not push yourself into a major migraine attack or make the current one worse than it already is. Be good to yourself.
I send to you a gentle hug and beg you to take your time and do not stress over the holiday and all the cooking, cleaning and preparation that accompanies it. Value everything that is truly important, and that includes being as pain-free as your migraines allow you to be for the holidays.
