1% Thursday

1 October 2009

1% Thursday: Back to the Headache/Migraine Diary

It’s been 14 weeks – did you keep up with your headache/migraine diary?

If so, time to pull out the 14 sheets of paper and take a look. What kinds of symptoms are common. Is there a pattern? How often are you having attacks? Does it look like there are different types of attacks (maybe showing different kinds of headaches from different causes)? What about triggers? Are you taking too much medication? Are there other treatments that have worked?

I encourage you to keep up with the diary (and if you haven’t started, now is a great time!). Also, it would be great to talk to your doctor about what you’ve found. Show her the diaries and talk to her about the patterns you’re seeing. It just may lead to a break-through!

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!

17 September 2009

1% Thursday: Make an "Attack Kit"

James Tips 2

This week, create an "Attack Kit" to help you through your next migraine or headache attack.

You feel a migraine attack coming on. Or one of "those headaches". Or another cluster cycle is about to begin. What do you do? Depending on the type of attack, you may do different things. But why not sit down right now and make a list of things that you could make handy, so that when the next attack begins you’re a little more ready?

That kit could include things to put by your bedside. For example:

Bottled water
Emergency phone numbers
Candied ginger (for nausea)
Medication
Power snacks
Easy reading
Favourite music and headphones
Candles
Lip balm or lotion

There are many more things you might want to include – think outside the box. Speaking of boxes, get a box or a bag and put a few things in so they’re always handy (don’t put a thousand things in a big tangle that will frustrate you – a few well organized things please!).

There may be things that won’t fit in a box, but that you can put on a list and quickly get ready when you feel that attack coming on. Need a heater or a fan handy? An open window? A laptop in case you have a few minutes you can use it when you’re feeling better? Something comfortable to change into?

Now let’s add to our list – something other than "things". Is there something you should do before your attack is too bad? Call a doctor? Ask a friend to check in on you in a few hours? Have someone bring over a meal and leave it in the kitchen? Ask someone to pick up the kids? Cancel an appointment?

It might seem overwhelming now, but it’s impossible during an attack. So think it through, prioritize, and make a simplified kit with a short checklist – typed in big easy-to-read print, and have it handy. It won’t take away your pain, but it might give you a lot less to worry about during an attack.

I know you already have lots of ideas – maybe things you already put in your own "attack kit". Share a comment with us!

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!

27 August 2009

1% Thursday: Try a New Massage

James Tips 0

This week, try a different kind of massage.

Maybe you’ve tried massage before, maybe you haven’t. If you haven’t, this one will be easy – just go out to a massage therapist and get a 20 minute massage.

But maybe you’ve tried massage before, and haven’t found it all that helpful. Well, there are many different types of massage out there, and some will help you more than others. There are different parts of the body that can be massaged (and yes, head and shoulders are great, but a foot massage can help your headache too!), there are light massages and deeper massages, longer and shorter, and many techniques.

I suggest you get a professional massage this time, but of course you can have a friend give you a massage, or even try a self massage. You could go to the local library or go online to get some tips (example of online massage tips).

Sometimes we sell massage short because we see it as just one thing. It’s many things, and there may be a massage that can make a big difference for you, even if you only get it once in a while.

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!

20 August 2009

1% Thursday: Find a way to Laugh!

James Tips 3

This week, find something to do for one hour that will make you laugh!

I know, I should be offering some suggestions – a funny video or maybe I should tell a joke… but I won’t. Because the fact is, the things that make us laugh are very specific to us. Our sense of humour has cooked like a stew in our culture and history and comes in rich variety all over the world.

So I’m going to leave it entirely to you. Try and find something to do that will make you laugh. You don’t have to laugh your head off for an hour solid – this is to help you, not to kill you. But do dedicate an hour to something funny. Can’t take a solid hour? How about 27 minutes one day and 34 the next. (I added in an extra minute as a penalty.)

Just take whatever time you can to watch something funny, or get together with family and share funny memories, or go out with co-workers and tell jokes. Read a funny book. Write a funny story.

By the way, just because it’s laughter doesn’t mean it’s pointless. Well, of course it’s good for you, we all know that. But many funny stories make a good point – sometimes we learn more from humour than something serious. And why not share the laughter? You could visit a sick or discouraged friend, tell them you have a project to complete – and find something funny you can do together! The possibilities are endless! Get creative! Have fun!

Oh – and make it a lifelong habit to include laughter in your life. It means more than we usually realize!

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!

13 August 2009

1% Thursday: Breath Deep

James Tips 0

This week, practise taking slow, deep breaths instead of quick, shallow ones.

You might be surprised, but I have heard of people who have basically dealt with their headache issues simply by learning to breath better. That may be pretty simplistic for most of us, but I still believe that for everyone it’s a powerful therapy that very well may be worth more than 1%.

Breathing better isn’t hard, and many of us already know how to do it. The problem is we don’t do it automatically, and don’t remember to do it. But it’s one of the most basic and most important things our body does, so improving this aspect of our health can not only minimize our symptoms and hopefully our attacks, but also help us to cope when the pain comes.

I’m not going to go into detailed breathing exercises today, but let’s just remember the basics. Breath slow and deep. It’s good once in a while to breath all the way in, and all the way out. Breath so that your stomach moves and your chest stays still. Your shoulders don’t need to go up and down. Don’t over do it – keep it slow and easy.

Find ways to remind yourself to relax and breath properly. Can you exchange secret signals with a friend? Or remember every time you see a certain object? Try to keep it on your mind this week, and practise keeping the fresh air in your lungs at a comfortable pace. It might be a habit that sticks with you.

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!