Top 10 Tips: Get Through The Holidays with Less Head Pain

Organization is key. Plan as far ahead as possible. Make lists of what needs to be done. Keep these lists on your computer so you can update them and use them again next year. Print new copies as you update them, and put them in an obvious place such as on the refrigerator. Pain fog makes it too easy to forget where we put the list we made. Ugh! As soon after an event or holiday, make notes in your list files to help you make them better for the next time you need them.

Crowded places, fluorescent lighting, chemical fumes, and other annoyances encountered when shopping can trigger head pain. Shopping in advance can help avoid crowds. Many items can be ordered through catalogs or online to avoid stores completely. Catalog and online shopping can even save you money when you comparison shop! Even if it's last minute, thre are sites that will get things there on time. If all else fails, try looking at plants, floral arrangements or other gifts at online florists.

There are always a few tasks we need to do ourselves, a few gifts we need to choose personally. For the rest of it, delegate! Break your shopping list down into smaller lists and give a section to each family member. Set aside a family day for "sprucing up the house." It can be fun if everyone works together. Rent a couple of movies and fix some popcorn as a reward evening when finished. You and your loved ones will enjoy holidays more if you feel better.

Many of us know our head pain triggers, and many of us try to just put up with it "for the sake of the family." Our families enjoy holidays more if we're with them and well. Be honest with your family about your triggers and let them help you avoid them. Think ahead to plan activities that won't expose you to triggers, and have fun.

If you have food triggers, holiday meals prepared by others can be a problem. Offer to bring a dish with you. Make something you know you can eat, then select carefully from other dishes. Explain the situation to your host or hostess in advance. Some of those trigger foods are going to be tempting, so consider the consequences when you make your choices.

Many of us are more comfortable at home where we have more control over our surroundings. Invite people to a celebration at your home to stay within your safety zone. If you schedule an open house, you're likely to have fewer people there at any given time. If fragrance is a trigger for you, and your friends don't understand that, make your event fragrance-free because of your fragrance "allergy."

Holidays can be the worst times to reach your doctor for refills. Pharmacy hours can be different, too. Be sure that you have an adequate supply of any medications you might need BEFORE those holiday periods when getting them could be difficult. If your heaaches and or Migraines are not well controlled, discuss in advance with your doctor what you should do should an emergency arise during the holidays.

When traveling, be sure to take extra medications with you. Changes in plans can be out of your control, so be prepared. Keep medications in their original containers when possible. If not, take the container labels or prescriptions with you. Be sure to take heat and cooling packs or anything else you need to be comfortable.

Two of the biggest triggers for head pain can be improper sleep and not eating at regular times. Try to keep as close to your regular schedule as possible. Carry non-trigger snacks with you so you can have a snack if a meal isn't going to be available when you need to eat.

Even mild ehydration can also be a trigger, so be sure to keep your fluid intake up. Don't get so busy that you don't drink as much as usual. If you're out and about, carry a bottle of water and a nutritious snack with you.