Help for Migraines: 5 Painless Tips for Migraine Relief
Migraines can cause a lot of problems. They can make everyday life difficult. And they can affect a person’s employment, relationships, and overall well-being.
They can mean missing out on special events, parties, and other fun activities. They can even lead to mental health issues like depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and more.
This is why it’s so important to look for ways to find help for migraines
What can trigger a migraine?
When we know what triggers our migraines, we can find ways to avoid these things. However, migraine triggers can vary drastically from person to person.
It might take some time to figure out what your specific triggers are.
Read through the following common triggers for migraines and consider what might be causing your own.
- Alcohol.
- Certain foods.
- Caffeine (This can be a trigger OR it can even be a cure in some people.)
- Strong smells like scented candles, perfumes, etc.
- Stress.
- Poor sleep.
- Bright lights (such as blue lights from screens or even sunshine).
- Environmental stimuli like weather, air quality, or the barometric pressure.
- Hormonal fluctuations (especially for women with their monthly menstrual cycles).
- A spiritual attack (the devil loves to use pain to derail us).
- Or something else.
Because there are so many things that can trigger a migraine, it can be hard to narrow them down.
The best way to figure out what your particular triggers are is to keep a migraine diary. Or find a good app on your phone to help you keep track of things like:
- What you ate.
- Your activities on that day.
- Environmental factors.
- And other items that may have triggered your migraine.
This in turn can help you see patterns to help you figure out what your particular triggers are.
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
-Psalm 34:18 NLT
What are the symptoms of a migraine?
Did you know you can have a headache and a migraine at the same time on opposite sides of your head?
You can!
This is because a migraine is so much more than just a really bad headache.
Some common symptoms of migraine are:
- Head pain (although this is not always present).
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Sensitivity to noise and/or light.
- Vision changes or aura (strange light effects generated by the brain).
- Dizziness.
- Fatigue.
- And other symptoms.
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
-Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
What helps with migraines?
Just like there are many different migraine triggers and symptoms. There are also a lot of different coping strategies people use.
Because what works for one person may not help another person at all.
So, keep an open mind and keep trying to find what works best for you.
Common migraine coping strategies are as follows:
- Medications or supplements.
- Wearing sunglasses or blue light-filtering glasses.
- Regular massages or acupuncture.
- Heating pads or ice packs.
- Eating healthy foods and drinking plenty of water.
- Engaging in regular, moderate exercise (this has been shown to reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines, although if you currently have a migraine then the physical activity may make it worse).
- Essential oils. Many people claim that peppermint oil can help with headaches and migraines. For others, strong smells can be a trigger.
- Pray and ask Jesus to take the migraine away. Or ask Him to show you what you need to do to make life with migraines easier.
“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
-Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
5 PAINLESS Tips for Migraine Relief That REALLY Work
The following 5 tips for migraine relief are some of the best ways to enjoy more migraine-free days.
- 1) Lower your levels of stress.
- 2) Prioritize sleep and rest.
- 3) Experiment with your diet. And drink more water.
- 4) Try supplements or medications prescribed by a licensed professional.
- 5) Spend time with Jesus.
While it isn’t always easy to make lifestyle changes, if it means living with less pain, then it’s worth it! So, let’s dive into these 5 tips a little further.
1) Lower your levels of stress.
You can’t do everything. And if you try to do too much, you may end up with a migraine.
This is why it is essential to decide what is most important to you. And then focus on those specific things.
This also makes it easier to say “no” when other enticing opportunities come along.
Everything you say “yes” to means saying “no” to something else.
Because you only have so much time, energy, and resources every day. So, use them wisely.
2) Prioritize sleep and rest.
You weren’t designed to keep going all the time. If you burn the candle at both ends, eventually you’ll burn out.
This is why it is important to make regular sleep and rest a priority.
Rest is how we recharge.
By prioritizing sleep and rest we can take care of our families, careers, and other activities to the best of our abilities.
3) Experiment with your diet. And drink more water.
Food is fuel for our bodies. And everyone’s body is different. So, it makes sense that what one person can eat may not work for another.
For me personally, avoiding gluten, lowering carbs, and eating smaller meals have made a huge difference in decreasing the frequency of my migraines.
For someone else, it might help to focus on eating more fruits and vegetables. Consuming more protein. Or cutting out sugar.
Experiment with different diets and keep a journal of how the changes make you feel. And how they affect your migraines.
Then come up with a healthy plan that works best for you.
Another great way to prevent painful migraines and headaches it to stay hydrated.
There are apps with alarms to remind you to drink. Or you can even get a water bottle with encouraging messages to inspire you to drink more water like this one.
It’s a simple thing. That can have a big impact.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
-Matthew 5:4 NIV
4) Try supplements or medications prescribed by a licensed professional.
I heard a pastor once say he believes in the power of people, prayer, and pills.
- People can give us great ideas and advice.
- Prayer connects us with the One who knows our bodies even better than we do.
- And pills can help our broken bodies function better.
God created the doctors, scientists, pharmacists, etc. who created the prescriptions and discovered the natural supplements that can help our bodies thrive.
So, don’t be afraid to experiment with different medications and supplements.
They may be the one thing you need to find lasting migraine relief.
5) Spend time with Jesus.
When we are in pain. Or the symptoms won’t let up. What we need more than anything is Jesus.
Spending time in His presence reminds us that He is with us. He loves us. And He is working all things out for our good.
Even the things that don’t feel so good.
Just like sitting close to a tree in the heat of the day provides us with comforting shade. As we spend time in God’s Word and prayer, we draw closer to Him.
And He provides us with the encouragement and strength we need to keep going.
Even with a migraine.
What’s the best thing to relieve migraines?
The best thing to relieve migraines is whatever works best for you.
Because every person is different. So, every person will respond differently to medications, supplements, lifestyle changes, etc.
Many people find they must try a variety of things before they figure out what works best for them.
So, be prepared for the fact that it may take some time and experimentation to find what works best for you.
But don’t give up.
Eventually, you will either find help for your migraines. Or you will find ways to make it all more manageable.
Through it all keep in mind, that Jesus is right by your side.
He has not abandoned you. He did not cause this pain. But He may choose to allow it.
And if He does then He has His reasons.
Reasons you may not understand. Reasons you may not yet see.
But your pain will not be wasted.
He can use ALL things for His glory and your good. (Romans 8:28)
Keep trusting God. Keep growing in your faith.
And keep leaning on Him to help you find the strength to get through each and every day.
If you found this encouraging, then please share so it can help someone else!
And check out these other inspiring and helpful reads:
- What is Spiritual Health? (It’s more important than you think!)
- Faith and Healing: It Doesn’t Mean What You Think
- 10 Convincing Reasons to Trust God in ALL Circumstances
*Here at “Rich Faith in Poor Health” we do not provide medical treatment, diagnosis, or advice. We just share what has worked best for us in our own health journeys. No information published on this website is intended to be a substitute for medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. We highly recommend that you talk to your doctor before taking any action or making any healthcare changes.