Migraine

MJ-I go to the beach whenver possible because I love the sound the ocean makes, the smells, it is calming for me...so, I have officially stolen your idea

LOL, feel free to use my idea! Sometimes I visualize that the ocean waves are washing the pain away - like the water does to sandcastles that you build too close to the waves.

Hope that this works for you too!

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Originally posted by LauraM:
MJ-I go to the beach whenver possible because I love the sound the ocean makes, the smells, it is calming for me...so, I have officially stolen your idea

Consider it stolen!!

I love that visualization!

quote:

Originally posted by MaxJerz:
LOL, feel free to use my idea! Sometimes I visualize that the ocean waves are washing the pain away - like the water does to sandcastles that you build too close to the waves.

Hope that this works for you too!

quote:

Originally posted by LauraM:
MJ-I go to the beach whenver possible because I love the sound the ocean makes, the smells, it is calming for me...so, I have officially stolen your idea

Jim Weiss has some recordings where he narrates stories that put the listener in the scene. I originally purchased the Goodnight Stories CD for my children to listen to before bed, but I enjoy them too.

After PJs and stories, we turn down the lights and Jim Weiss takes us to a treehouse for a nap in the rain, the beach at the end of the day, a log cabin for hot cocoa, etc. Each story ends with instrumental music, which is nice.

It's not really self-hypnosis, but it is a good relaxation technique.

I just wanted to update anyone who was interested in on my mindfulness meditation. I've been practicing since September now, and while it isn't by any means a cure for migraines, it has been immensely helpful in helping me cope with chronic migraines. I'm less anxious, less depressed, and less disabled by the fear of the next migraine or the burden of the current migraine. It's been a pretty big lifestyle change for me to live mindfully but definitely a positive one. I've also been reading a few great books by a prominent researcher in mindfulness named Jon Kabat-Zinn. The first book is a real step-by-step how-to guide on how to do mindfulness meditation and it's benefits. The second book builds upon that by talking about using mindfulness in everyday life and giving helpful advice on how to meditate. In case you're interested, the books are:
Full Catastrophe Living
Where Ever You Go, There You Are
Full Catastrophe Living I think is great because it's a mindfulness meditation program specifically designed to help people who are dealing with stress, pain, and chronic illness.

Thanks so much for the update! I'm glad it's been so helpful for you

Migrainuer,
My DH keeps asking me to look into hypnosis or meditation, so I came here, searched, and found you discussing these books by Kabat-Zinn. Can I ask if they focus on the spiritual side of Buddism and meditation? I really want something that is more instructional and doesn't concentrate on the spiritual side of meditation.

Your discription of how mindfulness meditation has helped you really is encouraging. thank you for posting!

blessings,
lisa

The mindfulness meditation taught by Jon Kabat-Zinn does not look at the spiritual side of Buddhism, but focuses on the benefits of mindfulness in its own rights. One of the things I appreciate about his approach is it's not weird and mystical but presented in a very rational and scientific way. It's actually been taught at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center for over 30 years as a part of their stress-reduction program. What's interesting about mindfulness meditation is it's not a means of escaping pain or anxiety or depression or ..., but a way to acknowledge their presence with acceptance and nonjudgment. That's probably not the best explanation, but Dr Kabat-Zinn does a much better job!

The book Full Catastrophe Living is very instructional (step by step) on the how's, what's, and why's of mindfulness. Where Ever You Go, There You Are is a much quicker, easier read, but I think it's a better as a companion guide once you've got the basic ideas down. I also managed to pick up a guide mindfulness meditation CD narrated by Dr Kabat-Zinn. It comes with the book, The Mindful Way Through Depression. I haven't read the book yet (highly recommended by my therapist though), but I LOVE the CD. I ripped it to my Windows Media Player and then downloaded the tracks to my MP3 player so I can take it anywhere.

Out of all the meds and vitamins and therapies I've tried, I think meditation has probably been the most helpful because despite still being sick every day, I feel like I have a better quality of life. Plus, I don't have to deal with any additional side effects from it!

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Originally posted by Migraineur:
Out of all the meds and vitamins and therapies I've tried, I think meditation has probably been the most helpful because despite still being sick every day, I feel like I have a better quality of life. Plus, I don't have to deal with any additional side effects from it!

Same here. Meditation is by far the most important tool in my box.

In addition to Full Catastrophe Living, I also recommend Jon Kabat Zinn's audiobook Mindfulness for Beginners.

Diana