Migraine headaches are a common issue that affects people of all ages. Sometimes migraine pain may be so frequent and severe that it causes sufferers to miss out on work, social obligations, and greatly impedes quality of life.

While most migraine headaches go away on their own with the help of over the counter medicines and by practicing healthy habits, like relieving anxieties and stress, other suffer more severe migraines, or cluster headache, where pain comes and goes in intervals and may cause nausea and vomiting.

Here are some useful ways to manage a migraine:

1. Retreating and rest

Find yourself a calm environment by turning off the lights and sounds, and trying to relax as much as possible. Migraine headaches often worsen with exposure to light and sound.

2. Try a hot or cold compress

Place an ice pack on the top of your head and try to relax. Cold compresses can numbs the pain and dull the ache. Hot compress, on the other hand, relaxes the tense muscles thus relieving the pain in a different way.

3. Sleep well

Sleep at least 6 to 8 hours a day to help prevent migraine onset. Fix a schedule for your bedtime and try to go to bed at that same time daily. Try to unwind before bedtime and do not go to bed with any kind of anxiety. Also shut off any blue screen devices (i.e., television, laptop, tablet, or smartphone) at least 2 hours before bed, as these can affect sleep and worsen migraine pain.

4. Eat wisely

If giving up of junk and spicy food not possible then at least try to limit processed fatty foods and refined sugars in your diet. Rather than large meals, instead take smaller and more frequent meals throughout the day. Be sure not skip meals as hunger can also trigger migraine attacks.

5. Regular exercise

Regular exercise produces certain chemicals (serotonin) in the body that combat depression and anxiety, both of which may cause migraine headaches. Maintaining a healthy weight is also very important to keep migraine attacks at bay. Becoming obese can also cause other health complications that trigger migraine attacks. Try some gentle exercise daily, such as swimming, cycling, and walking to maintain a healthy weight and a blissful mind.

6. Manage stress

As discussed several times, stress is one of the most lethal issues that contribute to the migraine attacks. Though stress and anxiety cannot fully be avoided, you can take measures to control it. Simplifying life and taking a break can ease stress. Never take on too many responsibilities yourself. Sometimes opting out or saying no is a wiser step for a happier, stress free life. Enjoy yourself, practice self care, and relax when you need to.

7. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an age-old method of relieving stress. This process involves inserting needles to specific areas of the body in order to relax the muscles. This relieves a lot of pain and has been shown to help reduce the frequency and severity of migraines.

8. Be healthy

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, cutting down on caffeine and alcohol consumption, and quitting smoking can help relieve stress and reduce recurrent migraine attacks.