The Bright Side of Migraines

Sure! Right! The bright side, there is no bright side to migraines. I just wanted to write that to get your attention. You all know by now that I think migraines suck.

I really should find a better word to describe migraines, but they are all really bad. And I just don’t want to swear in case it offends you!

Now I want to share with you 3 amazing things that I thought of when I wrote that headline. Are you ready?

The Bright Side of Migraines

Bright by definition means giving out or reflecting much light; shinning, brilliant, sparkling, flashing, glowing. Pardon the pun but bright lights and direct sun light trigger an attack for me. So, on one hand, the bright side is a migraine trigger.

OR it can mean: intelligent and quick witted – clever, genius, quick, smart, inventive, resourceful, proficient, accomplished, gifted, brilliant, keen, perceptive, just to name a few more.

So the 3 just turned into 6 amazing things – I truly believe that migraines have made me:

2. They have made me become: inventive, resourceful, and much more perceptive and aware.

I have learned things I probably never would have bothered studying had it not been for the migraines.

3. I have much more compassion for those around me who are also suffering. And I have WAY more compassion for myself. That took a while, I might add.

4. Weed out draining relationships leaving me with truly loving friends and a wonderful amazing husband.

5. Take greater pleasure from a good pain free day. Enjoy the simple things in life.

6. They have made me find what is really meaningful to me and in my heart, and let go of all the rest. This effects all my decisions and makes me focus more on spending my time on things that bring me joy.

Now don’t get me wrong, I would much rather NOT have migraines. But I am asking you to spend some time and think about the bright side and some ways you have grown as a person.

What are your 3 things? Please click here to share your answer(s) in the Facebook comments box at the bottom of the home page.

If you have not yet found effective pain relief with medications, it might be helpful to integrate some alternative migraine treatments into your routine.

Using Alternative Treatments for Migraines can give you more options. Also, this is a must read post - How to Treat a Migraine with ice and heat.

Essential Migraine Tools

Pillar One - Information + Education = Options + Choices

Build Your Own Migraine Tool Kit - Here is my post with eleven steps on exactly how to do it yourself! It has all the forms you need to print out and step by step instructions to navigate your way through building an effective chronic pain management strategy.

Pillar Two - Meditation and Biofeedback Training

I highly recommend reading Cynthia Perkin's Mindfulness Over Migraines e-book that explains the science behind mindfulness and why it helps migraines. And she explains the method step by step that she uses to eliminate her migraines in 15 minutes. Yes, you read that correctly ... eliminate in 15 minutes. It will be the best $6.99 you ever spend!

Timing is everything when aborting a migraine attack. Do you know your tipping point? You will after you read her book. It changed everything for me.

Wild Divine Biofeedback is an essential part of keeping my migraines at bay. Learning to control breath and body temperature could assist in reducing migraines or eliminating them all together, especially if they are stress related. Meditation is proven to help reduce migraine attacks. This system will teach you all of that. I love mine.

Pillar Three - Eliminate Potential Food Triggers

Dr. Amy Myers Elimination Diet e-Course is much easier than doing it yourself - like I did. It is vital to find our migraine food triggers, and then avoid them where ever possible. Dr. Myers is an autoimmune expert. Just what we need! This e-course will guide you every step of the way.

Pillar Four - Use Food As Medicine

Food is so important to me, especially because it is the one thing I can control. I can choose what I put in my mouth. And after spending four years studying Chinese medicine and a few more studying nutrition, I know how crucial it is to healing.

I can be proactive and help my body with nutritious foods and staying hydrated. I have a whole migraine food section that I hope you enjoy. Come check out the migraine safe recipes.

Post Your Story

What do you struggle with most? Have a place to vent your anger and share your pain here at Migraine Savvy. Post your story with those of us who understand completely. The good, the bad and the ugly!

I hope you ENJOYED this issue of Surviving Chronic Migraine!

Please share this with your friends and family.

It’s time to spread the word about Migraines and educate our loved ones!