Plan Better Nutrition:
Diet. It's a nasty word, and it has no place in my vocabulary. To me, that word carries negative connotations of something temporary, depriving me of things I like and want. Ugh. My preference is to use the term "way of eating" or "nutritional plan," and for it to mean an ongoing way of nourishing my body that contributes to being healthier and feeling better. Throw away your preconceived ideas of what foods are for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Look at the food groups and what foods you'll eat in each of them. Want a turkey on wheat sandwich for breakfast? An omelet for dinner? No problem. The point is to eat foods that are good for us, at least most of the time.
Don't Forget Good Hydration:
Something often overlooked is the importance of proper hydration. Not only is it important to our overall health, but dehydration can be a headache and Migraine trigger. You may not like drinking water, but be careful of what you substitute for water. Caffeine can actually be a factor in dehydration, so don't substitute caffeinated drinks for water. For more information, see Dehydration – an Avoidable Migraine Trigger.
Find and Adopt an Acceptable Level of Activity:
Our overall health is better when we have some activity or exercise. And, when our overall health is better, we're less susceptible to headache and Migraine triggers. Thus, it's a win-win situation. That said, I fully realize that what's considered to be a "typical" exercise regimen simply isn't achievable for many with Migraines and headaches. We can't let that stop us though. All of us can add at least some activity; we just have to determine what we're able to do. Even gentle stretches in the shower, or other simple ways to add a bit of activity can be helpful. Just be sure to talk with your doctor in advance about any exercise regimen you may undertake. Need some ideas? Take a look at 10 Ways for Migraineurs To Sneak In Some Exercise.
Improve Your Organization:
Now is the perfect time to make your life easier by becoming better organized. There's no better time to buy Christmas or other holiday cards than right after the holidays. That gives you the entire year to write personal notes in them too. If you're concerned that people may move before it's time to mail them, put sticky notes on the envelopes with the names. Then you can address them later. Do you have a list of birthdays you want to remember through the year? Why not buy all the birthday cards now? Then you can put them in a card organizer or between the pages of a calendar to be ready to mail them at the beginning of the correct month. Get yourself an organizer calendar and make notes of things you need to remember. During the year, if you see something that would make a good gift for someone, go ahead and buy it. Then, when the occasion arrives, you already have the gift. These are just a few examples of how you can use organization to make your life simpler. Do you have suggestions? If so, please email me if you'd like to share them with others.
