Migraine

We're often told that we need to exercise for better health; told that our Migraines and headaches would improve if we exercise. We all understand that, BUT how are we to exercise when we feel as if our heads might explode? Good question!

Here, you'll find some ways to sneak in a bit of exercise... some simple exercises that we'll be able to manage even on some of the days we're in pain. They may not seem like much, but the effects of them will build up...

Continue reading 10 Ways for Migraineurs To Sneak In Some Exercise.

Thanks for the tips, Teri!

Another would be to lose the remote and walk across the room to change the TV channel. Or use the bathroom at the other end of the house instead of the closest one. Walk every aisle at the grocery store instead of skipping the greeting card and shampoo aisles.

Unless it's a horrible attack and the light hurts my eyes when I look out the window, walking outside often makes my head pain go away. My dog makes sure I get in my daily walk. He walks me every day.

Gretchen in Mississippi. 38 on Monday. 74 today. So far, no major attack, and my head feels better after my walked by myself. As Sparky has gotten older and more arthritic, our walks have become shorter and shorter. Around the block is a long walk. So I usually take myself for a nice walk after we come home.

Teri, these tips are great!

Like Gretchen, I try to go for walks if the weather is cooperating. Nothing strenuous, just trying to spend some time in the fresh air. It's a lot harder this time of year, with cold, rainy weather and much less daylight, but it does make a big difference when I do it!

I have started wearing MBT tennis shoes. They burn a few more calories and improve your posture. Every little bit helps.

Hi Teri -

I read this a few days back and it helped get me back on track.

Three issues that I have around exercising are: 1) interruptions in my routine due to migraines and illness; 2) getting back on track after an interruption; and 3) making the time for exercise in my schedule when I am feeling well (since I still push myself too hard to make up for my down-time - which leads to more illness and more down-time!)

But when I read your article I got back in touch with how important this is, and that a little bit makes a big difference. So I got out my "work-out without weights" routine and did about a quarter of it per day for the last few days, even tho I've been sick in bed.

- Megan

No elevators, if possible. If you work on the second floor, take the stairs if possible (Yes, this is a reminder for myself!)

My biggest "Sneak" is hyperactive leg jiggling. It drives people crazy, but it helps me concentrate at work and it burns lots of calories (or so I read somewhere that hyperactive movers burn calories.) But I really can't help it - I'm worse than a little kid in church with my swaying, hand tapping and fidgeting.

Also at work, we have to check stuff going out then print a delivery receipt to go with it. The check station is about 20 yards from the printer. So if I'm feeling fat and bloated, instead of effiently checking lots of stuff and printing all the delivery receipts at once, I do them one at a time. Drives people crazy as I make this circle around and around and around. Oh, but they get used to me.

And since I just very recently went from working 2 days to 4 days, I'm missing out on my gym time. So now I try to get in a little walk every morning. (Makes the dog happy too - talk about spazzing out!) Granted, If I take a little longer route around the block, I may be a few minutes late for work, but I figure it's good for my health and the benefit is that sometimes if I wake up with a mild headache, it might go away if I get that walk in! Though if it's really cold and damp, my head might feel worse, but a good hot shower often helps that. I've gone from 15-20 minutes to 30-35 minutes pretty much guaranteed every day as long as the weather is good. I'm very proud of myself b/c before I might have gone back to bed on cold mornings and never made it to the gym. So maybe work has been good for the wallet and my waistline - just bad for the kids.....

Diane