Migraine and heat cause each person to determine their triggers and ways to find relief. Some hear summer’s rising temperatures and immediately start worrying about a migraine attack. Can we love summer and still live life with migraine? Are there times when heat is a good thing? Find answers here and know you are not alone on this migraine road.
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Rising Temperatures and Migraine
For many living with migraine, heat can be a trigger. That means warmer temperatures can cause some concern. The American Migraine Foundation explains that excessive heat can lead to a migraine attack. However, this does not mean you must be confined indoors and miss out on everything outside. So how can we manage the heat and the selfish condition of migraine?
Strategies to Beat the Heat
If being outside is important to you and there are things that you don’t want to miss, there are some strategies that I have found helpful. My boys play sports outside in the summer, and plenty of games have had scorching temperatures. This has caused me to plan ahead. Here are some things that kept me from missing out.
Take Breaks
Find some air conditioning and cool off. Limit your time outdoors, but don’t give up on spending time there altogether. This could prevent some discouragement and missed moments.
Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!
Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your time outside. This step could truly make all the difference. If you feel thirsty, it has been too long. Get yourself a water bottle you love, and maybe allow yourself to splurge on one that keeps your water cold. I have done that and thought so many times to myself…worth every penny!
Select the Best Time to Be Outside
If possible, avoid the hottest hours of the day. This may be more possible if you are doing something like planning to take your kids to the park or you want to go for a walk or jog. However, if there is a scheduled event, like your kid’s baseball game, you may not be in complete control. All you can do is your best.
Find Ways to Cool Off
Our pool time is a favorite, and there have been times when I have just said to myself, “Get in the pool, Mom!” It’s about memories and fun. Forget swimsuit woes or to-do lists for the moment. I have also shamelessly run through a neighbor’s sprinkler during a morning jog. So, find your fun!
Migraine and Heat: Personal Experience
There are some funny things I have done to beat the heat. I love summer, but sometimes I have to be smart about things. There have been baseball games (Royals fans here) where I have retreated to additional restroom breaks or checked out the gift shop for relief. If needed, we left a little early.
This has also motivated me to find other cooling aids and consider those necessities. Finding hats and cooling towels that make a difference are on my list. The ones I have linked here include a hidden pocket in your hat for your ID, and the hat helps keep your head cool. For the person with migraine, so much thought goes into our head. This Mission brand knows that.
In planning our Disney World trip, we learned where to go to be in air conditioning. That information was given to us without any mention of migraine. So you may also find that you don’t have to have migraine to understand the desire to see some cooler air.
As I said, summer is a time I enjoy, and I have been fortunate to spend time doing things I love. We play outside, have gone to the beach, and I have made it to several sporting events. I have to be smart about my choices and listen to my body.
Know This
There may be times when you need to say no. That is ok! There have been games where I felt a migraine attack approaching. I had to choose to sit that one out. I thought it would be better to miss out on one game or event than be out of commission for longer. Communicate with people in your life, and don’t blame yourself. This is easy advice to give, but not always so easy to follow. It is hard not to be where you feel needed or expected.
However, sometimes we have to choose what is best for our health. Choosing health will mean missing out on less of life. I have learned that, at times, the hard way. I have spent many years with migraine, and that is always the truth. You will find more joy in spending more time being present.
Don’t Miss This One
Planning a vacation and thinking of more than preparing for heat? Check out my post, 3 Strategies for Migraine During Vacation. I cover how to ensure you have a great trip without migraine stealing your memories!
Source:
Top 10 migraine triggers and how to deal with them: AMF. American Migraine Foundation. (2017, July 27). https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/top-10-migraine-triggers/
Disclaimer
Although we strive to provide accurate general information, the information presented here is not a substitute for any kind of professional advice, and you should not rely solely on this information. Always consult a professional in the medical and health area for your particular needs and circumstances before making any medical or health-related decisions. For your health-related questions, please seek the advice of a licensed physician or any other qualified healthcare provider immediately.
“Managing migraines in hot weather can be a real challenge, but these tips are a lifesaver! From staying hydrated to finding cool, dark spaces, beating the heat is key to keeping those headaches at bay.”
I am so glad these tips were helpful! Hydration and staying cool are so important!
I had a.tough time with migraine as a young adult. It was hard because I didn’t even know what it was then. It’s so nice of you to share this information. I have also gained more from reading.
this was so helpful, I really struggle with migraines in the summer time but the family loves outdoor activities. I always try hydrate will try and use a few of your other tips as well.
Heat seems to trigger all of our weak spots, including if you’re prone to migraines. I don’t get migraines, but I get sinus infections a lot, and I’ve had 2 flare-ups since this intense summer heat started.
Heat is an enemy of any pain. I have a neurological disease, and I feel pretty bad during summer too. Now my favorite time is late spring and early fall. I know I don’t drink enough water too—ill try to do better.
Super helpful thank you for sharing!
I couldn’t agree more! This article about migraines and the impact of heat is spot on for the current weather. The scorching heat can really take a toll on us, and knowing how to manage migraines during these hot times is crucial. We all want to feel better and stay healthy, especially when the temperature is soaring.
Yes, hydration is so important! I ended up having to get a Toradol shot for a migraine that developed while I was at the doctor today for something else. I hate taking ‘too much’ medicine so I just kept saying “I think I just need some orange juice” to try and get out of it. I definitely felt dehydrated at the time and your post is a great reminder to pay special attention to our migraine triggers during this summer heat. Thanks for the post. 🙂
I like how you mention the importance of hydration. Even people who don’t suffer from migraines can get bad headaches when not taking in enough water. Great post!
This is very useful tips, as I’m already having issues with the heat these 2 weeks. Thanks for sharing.
This was very helpful. Congrats on your first book!
These are great tips! I haven’t had a migraine in a while but when I got them in the past, they were usually triggered by the heat. I’m going to make sure I follow your tips this summer 🙂
Wonderful tips on managing migraines during the heat of summer. I’ve had my fair share of migraines brought on at the pool. These are really great and helpful ideas – especially to stay hydrated!
I’m lucky not to suffer from chronic migraines, but I’ve had two doozies in my life and they were both after spending a prolonged period of time outside in the heat. It’s just now occurring to me that my dislike of hotter weather may come from how it makes me feel.
It is such a bummer to be a migraine sufferer during the warm summer months. I love being outdoors and enjoy the warm temps but it definitely can spur on a migraine. Love your tips to help mitigate the onset of yet another episode. Staying hydrated seems challenging for me as I am always thirsty. I always keep a water bottle with me and refill it constantly. Thanks for sharing your journey, I know it is not an easy road.
This is just the article I needed to read. My migraines kick in a few times every summer – I think the best advice here is learning to say ‘no.’ Thanks for all the info.
Very informative!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on how to mitigate the heat and navigate the summer with migraine. Hope you have a fun summer full lots of memories and few migraines!
I loved the option of running through your neighbors sprinkler.
Awesome
From a migraine suffer, I wanted to let you know that I appreciate this post!! I especially struggle with them during the summer months
Great tips helpful here! We all need to hydrate this summer!
Great tips here! We all need to hydrate this summer!
Great suggestions, I’ve got another huge suggestion for you. Place an ice pack on your neck, or inside your left armpit(yes weird, but it works)! Migraines are the worst!
This is such a helpful post! Living in Florida, I would be miserable if I didn’t find strategy to navigate the heat with my migraines. These days I’m at the pool daily for my workout, because walks are just too dang hot! I definitely need to hydrate better though, thanks for that reminder! On a different note, I am SO excited for your trip to Disney with your family and am praying for those migraines to stay away so you can enjoy the time with your family! I can’t wait to hear more about your experience! Thank you so much for sharing these strategies and ideas!
Love this article and sending to my husband who struggles with migraines. Such great information in here.