The festive season is upon us, and for the majority of the population, it is a time of joy, laughter, and celebration. Still, for people with migraine, it can be a time filled with stress and anxiety about the possibility of an attack coming amid the celebrations. However, not all hope is lost.
With some advanced thought and pre-planning, everyone can enjoy the festive season. Below are some tips and tricks to try during this time to lessen the chance of a migraine attack striking and ruining your Christmas celebrations.
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Plan and delegate tasks. Planning and delegating tasks can lessen the stress of the season. Plan your shopping in advance and use online shopping wherever possible.
- Delegating non-essential tasks can also be helpful at this time. For example, delegating cooking, decorating, and event planning can lessen stress and the chance of a migraine attack. Keeping things simple and easy to manage can also be very helpful
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Listen to your body. It sounds so simple, but in the rush of the season, it's easy to ignore our bodies and the signals it is giving us. Learning to recognize these signs and appropriately responding to them may lessen the severity of an attack should it occur. Taking time for self-care routines such as taking time for yourself, having a nap, or going for a walk may also be helpful
- If an attack is imminent, stopping, resting, and recovering is okay. However, you can also say no if you feel overwhelmed and need a break. When an attack strikes, keep your emergency kit nearby with preventive medications, ice/heat packs, eye masks, and earplugs.
- Be aware of sensory triggers. While it may be fun to see the Christmas lights or use scented candles to invoke a feeling of the season, this can trigger an attack for some people with migraines and associated sensitivities. Being aware of all sensory triggers and avoiding them wherever possible will significantly lessen the chance of a migraine attack. Using migraine-friendly decorations such as static light displays and unscented candles may also be appropriate.
- Stay hydrated. As the Christmas season is in the middle of the Australian Summer, staying hydrated is critical to prevent migraine attacks. Drinking water regularly and drinking alcohol in moderation will lessen the chance of a migraine.
- Try to maintain a regular sleep routine. This can be challenging when you have visitors or are traveling, but getting enough sleep is paramount to stave off the potential of an attack. Using eye masks and ear plugs may help to get restorative sleep. However, too much sleep may also induce a migraine attack so finding a good balance is key.
- You should ensure you have enough medications to last throughout the festive season and make all specialist and doctor’s appointments in advance.
The Migraine Australia Team wishes you all a Migraine Free Christmas with best wishes for 2025.