Perseverance – How Do You Keep Going?

I'd like to keep up the affirmations to help us stay positive.

The quote for July is from Petrea King “Letting go does not mean forgetting.” There are many variations of this quote, but I could not find the original. I heard it at a conference spoken by Ms. King some years ago now, and I have never forgotten it.

How to Keep On, Keeping On

Last month June brought either the summer solstice for some and the winter solstice for others. I believe there are also peaks and valleys in our own bodily seasons. I mean that our illness or illnesses have their own seasonal fluctuations, too.

Some are random, some can be expected, but certainly having a plan for the bad days is high on my list. And something you hear from me time and time again. Self-care.

A very dear friend of mine, (who works with borderline personality disorders in mental health) a few years back now, said she just sings to herself “just keep swimming, just keep swimming” from Nora in the movie Finding Nemo.

This month I’d like to focus on how to get through the bad days and persevere for a future that is bright and full of things we love. You know, getting over the “migraines suck” phase!

I deal with migraines by taking Naramig, one of the triptans, at my earliest warning signal and give myself permission to just go take care of myself and rest. I know that’s not possible for all of us by any means.

If you get pain at the back of your head, this could be a migraine. Mine come up my neck, and it feels like my head has been hit off my spine with a crowbar. So, please see your doctor as soon as possible if this happens to you.

How to Persevere and Endure Seasonal Changes

1. Have a positive attitude. Look for things you enjoy this time of year. Make a list when you are feeling great, about what you can do when your migraines are going to have you missing in action a bit more often than normal. And learn to delegate your work load.

2. Make sure you walk regularly. I know that’s not always easily done, but exercise really does help the body cope with migraine attacks. And it is well known that it can also stave off an attack in some cases. Do the things you love or enjoy. That’s important.

3. Self care, self care, self care! Schedule in some "me" time, everyday if possible. Have a nice hot bath when you feel stressed with Epsom salt and lavender essential oil.

4. Have a rainy day plan. Have inside activities available for rainy days and winter - books, videos, audio books, whatever you know does NOT trigger a migraine that is easy and gentle. Having a hobby is a great distraction and relaxing.

5. Have some exercises you can do in bed. Yes in bed. Not during an attack. I do lie on my rolled up towel – read easy neck and back exercises. But some stretches you can do after the attack. And definitely stretches in between attacks will help keep that migraine neck and shoulders more relaxed.

Question: How do you keep on, keeping on? ‘Soldier on’ as they say here in Australia? "Go hard, or go home!" I am originally Canadian so have never really warmed to that one. How do you persevere and stay positive?

My Top 3 Articles for Perseverance

• Accepting Migraines

• Coping with Migraine

• The Easiest Neck and Back Exercises Ever

Building resilience all starts with having a plan. A solid pain management plan. These are my four pillars of strength.

Pillar One - Information + Education = Options + Choices

Build Your Own Migraine Tool Kit - Here is my article 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 effective chronic pain management.

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.

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 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 eCourse is much easier than doing it yourself - like I did. It is vital to find our migraine food triggers, and 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

Migraines and Food is so important to me, especially after spending four years studying Chinese medicine, and a few more studying nutrition. I can choose what I put in my mouth. 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.

Remember that your contribution will help others too! We are not in this alone, even though it feels like it most of the time. Our stories and input can help each other.

For example, I heard about Naramig from a client of mine, not my doctor or any of the specialists I had seen! Two years after triptans came on the market. Two years of needless suffering.

This is a safe place to share your challenges and tell your story to people who truly understand what you are going through. Share your art to inspire us all in our time of need.

Find solutions with new treatment ideas specific to migraine disease, and get some professional health advice from others that walk this path. Just click on the links underlined above if you would like more details.

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Did you know that I offer telephone counseling around the world via Skype video or via telephone?

That's right, from the privacy and comfort of your own home you can get professional counseling from me. I am not sure if you know this about me, I have a Masters Degree in Counseling and Applied Psychotherapy (MCAP). I have been counseling people for over 16 years. I would love to be of service where I can.

I have an online booking system to make it easy to schedule a session over different time zones. So, you can contact me anytime on-line, book in 24/7, and we will talk as soon as possible.

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And before I forget!