Holiday Migraine triggers?

I have many holiday triggers, fruit cake, red wine, smoked country ham and milk chocolate,  all of which I love. The only steps I can take to avoid the Migraines is to avoid eating them. Another holiday trigger are strong odors from some air freshners and the usual holiday stress.

Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate!!! My favorite thing of all is one of my triggers! I am lucky enough that I can eat a small piece and be ok. Too much alcohol is a trigger. Too much sleep is as well. The way I see it, too much of a good thing is a bad thing for me. The best way I can avoid migraine in these cases is moderation. During the holidays, as crazy as it sounds, I will allow myself to be a little more indulgent and if it causes a migraine, then so be it. As long as I have proper medication and time to deal with the problem the next day, then I deserve to have a little fun.

Even apart from specific food triggers, I think for many people just the change in stress or intensity level is a holiday trigger, whether coming off intense work period and/or entering into stressful family dynamics. For many it also simply the biochemical changes that come from over eating generally - and over drinking (caffeine or alcohol). and there is the change in sleep pattern too. 

Trying to get everything finished on time and the expectations of everyone.

My big stress this holiday will be our only child, daughter, and her Aussie husband and our 3 grandchildren will be moving for good back to Australia on Thanksgiving day.  I usually have giant headaches on the holidays anyway because I get anxious about those relatives who don't get along all being there together.  I am already stressing and taking too much medication because of my daughter.  But what can I do?

worst migraine trigger is foods and wine and exhaustion.

no wine, simple food, lots of sleep.

Great question, AHDA friends!

I find that the added work and worry load of the holiday season tends to put me in a place where Migraines are likely. It's easier to forget to eat while frantically running errands, or to eat the sweets all around that make the blood sugar spike and drop off. There are also the many loud, crowded gatherings, whether holiday parties or family celebrations, that contain noise triggers and sensory overload.

My best tools for avoiding Migraines in the holiday season are planning and moderation. Making lists of what needs to be done and planning everything into my calendar, and then frequently asking "how important is this?" and cutting back. If I am careful in my planning I can keep eating times and rest that I need in the schedule. If I keep moderation in mind it helps me to remember that the holidays are not all about "things" and perfection, they are about spending special time with those we love, and there is no one perfect way that has to look.

- Megan