1% Thursday: The 1/4 Rule

People with chronic pain, particularly migraine, need some cushion time.  You know, a little time to get a glass of water, or a snack.  A little time to take that medication before it’s too late.  Extra time to get that project done in case a migraine attack hits.

One way to accomplish this in our unpredictable lives is to follow the 1/4 rule.  The 1/4 rule simply means that you leave yourself about 1/4 extra.  For example…

• Don’t wait until the gas tank is dipping below E to get a fill.  Fill it when it’s at 1/4.
• Running low on those supplements you take?  Don’t wait until there are two left in the bottle – when it’s about 1/4 full, get some more.
• You’ve got 4 days to finish the project?  Make it a priority to do it in 3, in case something unexpected comes up.
• For appointments, you can translate this into the 1/4 of an hour rule.  Get there 15 minutes early.

Obviously, doing these things will cut down on the stress in your life, but it’s not just about stress.  It’s about leaving yourself a little breathing room to take care of your body, so that you don’t get caught low on energy and stamina all the time.  (Not all the time – we know it will happen!  And sometimes it’s good for you.  But all the time?  No.)

What is 1% Thursday?

Every Thursday at Headache and Migraine News (weather permitting) we’ll talk about one measurable, practical thing we can do to make our lives just 1% better.  Usually it will be something very easy, sometimes it will be a challenge.  Let us know if you try it, or share an idea of your own – and maybe a year from now we’ll see that things have really changed for the better!