Even as migraine headaches are frustrating to anyone affected by it, they can be prevented. We can reduce the chances of having migraine and also lessen the severity of the headache pain when migraine occurs.

Migraine is a condition characterized by severe headaches to one or both sides of the head frequently accompanied by nausea, and altered perceptions. It occurs when certain conditions or triggers become present. It is therefore wise to know what these triggers are and how they can be avoided, and in the process avoiding migraine altogether.

Preventing migraine could be achieved through a number of ways:

1. Managing one’s lifestyle
2. Preventive medications and supplements, and
3. Other preventive methods

Managing Lifestyle

• Avoid triggers. If certain foods or even odors, have seemed to trigger your migraine in the past, it will be well to avoid them.
• Reduce medications containing estrogen.In some women who have migraines, estrogen may trigger or worsen their headaches. They should avoid or reduce the medications they take that contain estrogen, which include birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy..
• Avoid sources of stress. Too much stress triggers migraine so avoid it. Reduce your caffeine and alcohol intake and avoid tobacco.
• Establish a daily routine with enough sleep at regular patterns and regular meals.
• Exercise regularly. It has been determined that aerobic exercise done regularly reduces tension and can help prevent migraines. Just remember to warm up slowly, as sudden, intense exercise can also cause headaches.
• Maintain a healthy weight or lose weight. Obesity is also thought to be a major factor in migraine headaches.

Doctors advise migraine patients to keep a migraine diary to help them identify possible triggers and also monitor how well any medication they are are taking is working.

Preventive medications

There are medications available to help prevent migraines. These medicines are used as a recourse  if you one has tried avoiding known triggers and still experiences migraines. These medicines may also be prescribed if one experiences very severe migraine attacks, or if the attacks happen frequently. Doctors must be consulted in all migraine-related cases requiring medications.

Other Preventive Methods

• Transcranial magnetic stimulation. In 2014, the use of a treatment called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for the treatment and prevention of migraines was approved by the  the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
• For patients where medication is unsuitable, or it doesn’t help to prevent migraines, acupuncture may be considered. NICE has stated that an acupuncture course of up to 10 sessions over a period of five to eight weeks may be beneficial.

• Essentials oils that come from flowers and leaves of plants can stimulate brain function and help soothe the mind and the body. Aromatherapy is done in several ways including bathing and massage among others.

Recognizing the things that trigger migraine attacks and trying to prevent them is one of the best ways of preventing migraines.  A healthy lifestyle where stress is avoided is key in doing this. To a very large extent, our health and wellness depend on our ability to manage our lifestyle. Doing what is beneficial for our health will keep not only migraines at bay but other ailments and illnesses as well.

Stress is a common cause of many ailments in the body. One particular example is migraine, a condition where an excruciating and sharp pain is felt on the one side of the head. Migraine can be very troublesome and may prevent you from completing your tasks when it attacks.

All people encounter stress-inducing agents day in, day out. Work, school, family, or even just day-to-day life experiences in traffic, smog, or rainy weather may cause stress to anyone.

How does one avoid being stressed? Or if one is already stressed, what can be done to lower stress levels in order to prevent migraine and other sickness, too? It’s not easy, and it may well be impossible to avoid stress, but we can at least try to alleviate what is already there.

Identify the Root Cause

To avoid being stressed out, first you have to find out what makes you stressed. Evaluate your activities everyday. Does your boss pressure you too much into closing more deals with clients? Do you have a major exam today? Did you fight with your parents? After you discover what stresses you out, address them properly. Strategize and then design a plan that will make you think about these stressors less, or at least be affected less by them.

If it’s about work, think about ways to make yourself more productive, so that your boss will not criticize your performance too much. If it’s school-related, such as exams or projects due on a certain day, make sure that you study for that exam or work on your project at least a week before the day it is due, depending on how hard it is for you to concentrate on that subject or task. If you discover that you simply have too much to do on any given day, make a list of what you have to do, and then allocate your time accordingly.

Relaxation and Breathing Techniques

If you are already stressed out, or you feel that your stress levels are building up, and you need to unwind in a hurry, you can try to do some simple breathing exercises to help you relax a bit. Inhale deeply, hold your breath for about five seconds, and then exhale. When exhaling, make sure that you relax your body from head to toe. Do this several times.

Another quick relaxation method would be as short bath or shower at the end of the day.  Fifteen to 20 minutes of soaking in a warm bath or standing in a warm shower helps relieve stress at the end of a long and tiring day. For long-term stress relievers, you can incorporate simple stretching exercises every morning and at night in your daily routine. Also, if you are an animal lover, having pets to cuddle and play with in the house can also help in making your stress levels drop.

Take a Break!

Finally, we should always remember to give ourselves a break. A well-planned short vacation every now and then would help a lot in maintaining a stress-free life. Feel free to explore new places, and make sure that you do not bring whatever stressors you have with you (meaning, leave your work at the workplace, leave your problems at home). Just relax and enjoy.

Does your head hurt every time you are in a stressful environment? Do you feel a throbbing pain when you are anxious or depressed? These symptoms could be migraine and it’s not as simple as you think. Migraine can be a complicated and recurring condition when not treated or prevented properly. One sure way to avoid migraine is to engage in relaxation and breathing exercises.

Benefits of Breathing Exercises

Breathing exercises have many benefits. They regulate a person’s breathing, making you more relaxed and calm, in spite of demanding situations. They also allow you to have a healthy circulatory system by allowing more oxygen to get into your blood stream. With all these benefits, you should not ignore any chance you have to engage in breathing exercises. After all, when you compare these exercises with other workout routines, these are virtually expense-free and very easy to do.

Breathing exercises are usually found among the Eastern practices of tai chi and yoga. These exercises are very simple and easy to follow. Whether you are a working student taking up full load in college or a single mom who works two jobs, you can easily do breathing exercises to reduce stress and avoid migraine.

What You Need to Know about Breathing Exercises

The most important thing you need to remember when doing breathing exercises is timing. Concentrate on breathing from the abdomen first, allowing your ribcage to expand. This process will enable you to take in the deepest breath.

Breathing exercises are best to perform in a warm place. In addition, it would give you maximum comfort and benefit if you wear comfortable clothes and position yourself securely.

Breathing exercises can be performed lying down, standing up, or sitting down.

Two Types of Breathing Exercises

There are at least two types of breathing exercises: alternate nostril breathing and abdominal breathing.

The first one, nostril breathing, can be done by closing the right nostril with the thumb then breathing out through the left nostril. This should be repeated with the other nostril. After which, you should close both nostrils and hold your breath for a count of sixteen before exhaling. Repeat the procedure several times until you feel that you have released all tensions from your body. This can also be repeated several times a day when necessary.

Abdominal breathing, on the other hand, is better performed lying down. First, you should lie on your back with your feet turned outwards and palms facing the sky. Then, breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.  Make sure that you breathe from the abdomen, then breathe in and out slowly. This exercise is best done for at least fifteen minutes.

With these simple steps that require no amount of thought at all, you should be able to achieve a more relaxed and calm sense of being which will relieve stress and prevent conditions such as headaches and migraine. So, why spend money on medications or spend time going to the doctor? As long as you know how to get rid of stressors in your life, you can bring back a happy and healthy sense of being.