This post is sponsored by Nurtec ODT. All thoughts are my own.
Are you a person with migraine? You may be and you don’t even know it! For those curious, they are different from your run of the mill headaches, causing throbbing pain (for me it’s usually in the front right side of my head, and behind my eye socket). I also become very sensitive to sound and light during a migraine, and you can usually find me curled up under my bed covers waiting for it to pass. Other friends I know suffer from nausea, or loss of appetite. If this sounds like you, keep reading.
While the direct causes of migraine are largely unknown, there are triggers that you begin to recognize as you continue to manage them as they arise. For me, stress is one of my most tangible triggers. As a business owner, content creator, frequent traveler, and cyclist (often dodging traffic on rides), you can see how this might be a bit problematic! So, over the years, I have developed a morning routine that helps me proactively combat stress. I’m sharing with you what works for me, and maybe you can take away a few ideas that will help you, too!
Hydrate
I am admittedly pretty bad at consuming water throughout the day, but I do my best to set the tone by drinking a big glass of water as soon as I wake up. This is one of those habits that took practice, and doing things like investing in bottled water because I just like how it tastes better, using an app that I can track my water consumption, and having citrus on hand (mostly lemons) to add a smidge of flavor has made all the difference for me. Other creators I follow love those giant water bottles that encourage your drinking throughout the day…no harm in giving those a try!
Go For a Walk & Stretch
A practice that I’ve implemented more recently is morning walks, and movement. Admittedly, in the winter time in Maine, walks were hard. On especially cold days, I compensated with extra movement in the mornings. I love finding TikTok videos with different stretches and mobility tips to mix things up. But, as the weather has gotten warmer, I have been taking advantage of living 10 minutes from the beach and walking a couple miles a day. If walks are something you’re looking to incorporate into your routine, I recommend finding a local park or esplanade to head to. I think it’s more motivating than just going straight out your front door. But! For all of my city dwellers, especially as you return back to the office, a walk to work is a great alternative.
Have a Cup of Matcha
Because I’m not a coffee drinker (crazy, I know!), I fell in love with matcha many moons ago. What I didn’t realize until I did a little research is that my morning habit was actually contributing to mitigating my stress for the day. Packed with L-theanine, my morning sips of matcha have actually been proven to reduce stress markers in the body.
Acupressure
Acupressure is acupuncture’s more accessible counterpart, and something you can do from home, or even bed, every morning. Having worked with a lead integrative health specialist and doctor for nearly 5 years, I learned a few tricks, including points on our body we can press that can help relieve and prevent stress & anxiety. The two points I press frequently are your GV17 (governing vessel 17), which you can find on the back of your head at the base of your cranium, and HT7 (heart 7), which lies at the place where your arm meets your wrist. I use two fingers to press down on these points and make very small circular movements for 1–2 minutes.
Make a List
Once I’ve checked in with myself and my body, and given it some movement, hydration, and L- Theanine, I always make a list of my most important tasks. The first two tasks on my list are “must- do’s” and usually the tasks I’ve been putting off the longest. By accomplishing those first thing in the morning, I set myself up for the rest of the day feeling accomplished and ready to tackle the remainder of my to-do’s. These items don’t always have to be about work — sometimes they’re calling to make appointments, or paying a bill. Having this road map helps me approach my day with less stress, and makes me feel like I have a plan.
If All Else Fails…
Realistically, you aren’t going to be able to prevent stress at all times, and for me, that means that I eventually find myself suffering from a migraine. While the preventive steps I’ve mentioned before are important, I do always have a plan for when the inevitable migraine comes: Nurtec® ODT (rimegepant) 75 mg. This is what I’ve been using now for several months to stop my attacks. It is also approved for the preventive treatment of episodic migraine. Bear in mind, medication affects everyone a bit differently, but my experience is that it has diminished the impacts and symptoms of a migraine attack for the days that I can’t keep my stress at bay.
Disclaimer: You can review safety information here. Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) 75 mg is for the acute treatment of migraine and the preventive treatment of episodic migraine in adults. Prescription only. Individual results may vary. Don’t take if allergic to Nurtec ODT. The most common side effects were nausea and stomach pain/indigestion.
In those moments of need, this has been my saving grace, and if you suffer from migraine attacks, I recommend chatting with your doctor about having this as a potential treatment. Any questions? Drop them in the comments. Happy to share my experience.
Venture travelist 