Spring is one of my favourite seasons, however, seasonal migraines are not my favourite and I’m often looking for how to prevent seasonal migraines. When it comes to my health spring typically wreaks havoc with plenty of migraine headaches.
I struggle to find migraine relief for days or weeks at a time. While spring brings birds, flowers, sunshine, and a refresher to our environment. It also brings seasonal weather changes such as unpredictable weather, storms, and low and high barometric pressure systems quickly and unexpectedly.
![Image of spring flowers.](https://chronicallyalexjean.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/how-to-prevent-seasonal-migraines-1.png)
Below are some suggestions of things I’ve learned over the years that have been helpful for me with seasonal changes and helping reduce migraine frequency. Every individual has a different body, everyday health, and lifestyle which means these suggestions may or may not resonate with you.
I hope to provide some help and guidance to those struggling through this season and hopefully provide some migraine relief. This post does not replace or provide medical advice, please speak with a doctor if you need assistance with your cluster headaches or migraines.
Symptom Tracking/ Journaling
When I was first diagnosed many many years ago, I began tracking and logging each seasonal migraine headache as per a suggestion from my neurologist. At the time I used paper and wrote, however over the years I discovered Migraine Buddy, a headache diary tool. Migraine Buddy is an app that literally tracks everything under the sun when it comes to your attack.
Logging and journaling my thoughts and symptoms throughout an attack helped me come to terms with what was happening with my migraine episode symptoms. This also helped with what certain events could be common triggers which mediations provided the right relief.
It also helped with understand my seasonal migraine triggers and how pressure changes to my related migraine. Here’s a deeper look into chronic illness tracking and why it’s important! Keeping a migraine journal, especially during season changes can be telling and helpful for you to understand the weather forecast and your migraine pain.
![Image of journaling to help with how to prevent seasonal migraines.](https://chronicallyalexjean.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/how-to-prevent-seasonal-migraines-2.png)
Seasonal migraine tracking
Symptom tracking leads to migraine relief, as it provides you with an understanding of your common migraine trigger to work with your headache specialist. It provides comprehensive information on what is happening in your body and what actions/items you might be able to reduce or remove.
This can help to provide relief in the future. Knowing things such as lack of sleep and temperature changes are potential triggers is helpful with your migraine attacks.
Grapes & Watermelon for Seasonal Migraines
A weird one I know, but honestly I swear by always having grapes and watermelon in the house during the spring. Why Grapes and Watermelon you might ask? Both are incredibly hydrating – good news for those with chronic migraine pain. So one of the ways to work towards migraine relief and preventing migraine symptoms.
I look ahead to the weather most weeks (when doing my grocery shopping) and see how much barometric pressure changes our weather is predicted to have and buy accordingly as I don’t want to be wasteful. I ensure to wash and cut up my watermelon once it’s home so I always have easy access to it. There’s nothing worse than being in an attack and not being able to cut up the fruit.
For myself, I am prone to summer migraines as well and therefore keep these in the summer in my fridge as well. It’s a good idea if you’re someone who experiences headaches from weather changes, or seasonal migraines I encourage you to look at stocking up and keeping hydrating foods and beverages nearby for those migraine days.
![Image of water and migraine medication for how to prevent seasonal migraines.](https://chronicallyalexjean.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/how-to-prevent-seasonal-migraines-3.png)
Water
This seasonal headache remedy goes hand in hand with grapes and watermelon. It’s important to be well-hydrated before, during, and after an attack. For myself when I’m in postdrome (after an attack) I swear by Bio Steel Sports Hydration Drink. It provides much-needed vitamins and supplements I typically lose during an attack and ensures I remain well-hydrated while recovering.
I tend to go outside more in the spring for walks and runs, I find it critical as a migraineur to always plan and keep water near me or on me. Here are my top tips to help you with staying hydrated to beat migraine pain!
Vitamin B & Magnesium
In the springtime to get migraine relief, I pay extra attention to ensuring I take Magnesium and Vitamin B2 to help my body ensure it has the right vitamins and supplements to fight against attacks. Both were recommended by my neurologist, so I would speak with a healthcare professional before taking vitamins and supplements to find out what’s right for you. Keep in mind your trigger foods as well as everyone has different personal triggers for migraine causes.
I also ensure during this time I eat magnesium and vitamin B-rich foods such as nuts, dark chocolate, legumes, oats, kale, spinach, broccoli, and eggs. Paying special attention to making recipes that include these ingredients also helps me survive unfavourable weather conditions by giving my body an extra boost of what it needs at a time it really needs it.
Be mindful of food triggers and to not eat those if they will cause more pain than good. When thinking about seasonal migraine treatment it’s important to think about vitamins and minerals year-round to support your system not just when you’re experiencing an increase in headaches from weather patterns and warm weather.
![Image of a bath for natural pain relief of migraines.](https://chronicallyalexjean.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/how-to-prevent-seasonal-migraines-4.png)
Take a Bath for Seasonal Migraines
Taking a bath is one of my favourite activities and it has so many benefits. You can read all about them here in my reasons you need to take a bath tonight. Taking a bath helps reduce your stress level, and relaxes your system, as well as the warm water, relaxes sore and tired muscles.
When I have a migraine I find my stress goes off the charts thinking about all the things I wanted to do and now can’t. I mainly sit or lay on the couch which leads to back pain and my entire system feels off-center. Letting my body sit in a warm bath is incredibly relaxing and helps my pain lower.
It also helps with weather-related triggers when there is dry air outside as it helps replenish the moisture in your body.You can add essential oils to help with migraine pain as well.
I use aromatherapy in the bath with essential oils to help also reduce my pain peppermint, lavender, or clary sage. I try to have a bath once a week in the spring, to help reduce my stress and pain overall but also increase if I have a really bad week. When I’m having a horrible week my loving fiancé will draw the bath for me. Safety Note: don’t get into a bath if I’m drowsy from medications or the migraine.
Loved Ones/ Work Relationships
When it comes to spring and migraine relief, I find a huge burden I have is usually the guilt I feel when it comes to work and personal relationships and how I’m typically more of a flake during this time with canceling last minute or taking more sick days than usual. New to chronic illness and dating – check out my tips here for chronic illness dating!
When it comes to stormy weather and being at work with a migraine this can be challenging. Different people experience symptoms and pain differently. When possible be open with your employer about your history of migraine so they can be aware of seasonal headaches and warmer temperatures/ dramatic changes being triggers. Here are some tips on how to navigate working with migraines and chatting with your health care provider.
![Image of essential oils to help with how to prevent seasonal migraines.](https://chronicallyalexjean.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/how-to-prevent-seasonal-migraines-5.png)
Essential Oils for Seasonal Migraines
As I mentioned above in my baths I love to use essential oils. I also use them in my water daily and in rollerballs that I use topically. It is advised individuals do their research and or speak to a healthcare professional before using essential oils to ensure they’re right for them. Here are my favourite 5 essential oils to use for migraine relief.
I have a peppermint roller & headache relief roller that I use as needed on my temples. Another thing I do is I ensure to order them in the winter so I have them on hand for the spring and keep one in my purse in case I’m out and about and need it.
As mentioned above clary sage rollerball on my stomach/pelvis when I’m a couple of days away from my cycle. I use it all the way through to help balance my hormones. I swear by Dr. Mariza Snyders’s book about Hormones and Essential Oils, I can’t count the number of times I’ve read it and the number of times it’s helped me over the years.
Medication Preparation
To prepare for spring I always ensure I have a good stock of my migraine medications on hand and ready for attacks. I ensure to keep the medication at home, in my purse, at the cottage, and on my work desk so I always have it and can take it whenever I need it. Planning ahead will help get your migraine relief faster and this is critical in the spring.
![Image of a woman playing with flowers for self care from chronic pain.](https://chronicallyalexjean.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/how-to-prevent-seasonal-migraines-6.png)
Be Gentle with Yourself
Spring is a tough season for those who experience seasonal migraines, here are 25 positive affirmations for good health. I try to limit the number of big activities I have during this season and keep my schedule very flexible. Instead of setting goals for each day, I typically set weekly goals because I’m easier on myself if I’m unwell for a day or two it’s easier to not feel guilty. Now, there are some weeks when I’m unwell and then I try to shift what I can.
Here are 8 ways to help improve your mental health to try while being gentle on yourself.
Leave a Reply