Migraine headaches can vary from mildly irritating to debilitating depending on the severity of the headache. If you often get headaches that land you on your bed in a dark room with serious pain killers or sedatives, here are some triggers of migraines with steps on how to avoid them.
Stress
A big trigger of migraines is stress. We all deal with stress, but when your stress increases to where it’s hard for your body to handle it, you could find yourself forced to relax when a migraine hits. Be sure to take time to manage your stress levels by exercising, which can release stress as well as endorphins that help you feel happy.
Warm Weather
Warmer temperatures are more likely to trigger a migraine as well. If you find that being out in the sun is triggering headaches, try and avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when the sun is the hottest and the strongest. If you are out in the sun, try to stay cool with a hat that blocks the sun, sunglasses, and staying in the shade or in cool water. When possible, stay somewhere that is air conditioned during the day.
Poor Posture
Have you ever thought that the way you sit at the computer might be triggering migraines? If you find yourself dealing with migraines at work, it could be stress and it also could be just how you’re sitting. This could include hunching your shoulders while typing, having a chair that doesn’t support your lower back, having a monitor that is too high or too low, or cradling your phone between your shoulder and your head. If your workplace has an ergonomic specialist, have him or her come to your desk and help you adjust things so you’re aligned properly. This may include a foot rest, keyboard tray, or a new chair.
Other triggers for migraines include strong scents (such as perfume, paint, flowers, and strong lotions), cheese, red wine, cold cuts, not eating regularly, smoking, and caffeine. Avoiding these triggers may reduce how often you suffer from migraine headaches.
