There are migraine days… and then there are migraine days.
The kind where everything feels too loud, too bright, too much — and even getting off the couch feels like a full commitment.
On those days, I’m not trying to be productive. I’m just trying to get through it with a little less pain and a little less stress.
What I stopped doing
For a long time I chased every new thing that promised to help. I tried a lot of it. Most of it just added noise — and when you’re in the middle of a bad one, the last thing you need is more to think about.
So I stopped experimenting in the moment and started keeping a small, reliable set of things that I actually know work for me.
What I keep within reach
A cooling eye mask — I keep one in the freezer so it’s already cold when I need it. The pressure and temperature together genuinely take the edge off.
A dark, quiet space — Simple, but it’s still the most effective thing I do. Light and noise are the enemy.
Electrolytes — Way more helpful than plain water, especially on days when eating feels impossible.
Advil Dual Action Pain Reliever — This is what I actually reach for when the pain gets bad. It combines ibuprofen and acetaminophen, so it hits differently than taking one or the other on its own. Honestly, I don’t know why it works so well but I count on it more than my prescribed migraine meds!
A heating pad — A lot of my migraines start with neck and shoulder tension. Heat helps loosen that before it spirals.
Easy snacks nearby — Not eating makes everything worse. I keep something simple and low-effort within reach so I don’t have to make decisions.
What this actually changed
This didn’t cure my migraines. I want to be honest about that.
But it made them more manageable — because I’m not scrambling or trying to figure anything out in the moment. I already know what helps. Everything is already there.
If you deal with chronic migraines too
You don’t need a perfect system. You just need a few things that make the hard days a little easier.
I’ve linked everything I use here in case it’s helpful — no pressure, just sharing what’s genuinely in my rotation.
Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share things I actually use and genuinely recommend.
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