Overcome Depression with Migraine- 4 Lifestyle Habits that Help

Depression is often a comorbid condition of migraine disorder, as continuous crushing headaches, nausea, and fatigue feed into feelings of helplessness and despair. While antidepressants help to reduce migraines and depression at the same time, many natural alternative treatments are also beneficial for keeping symptoms at bay.

Please note that you should never discontinue use of antidepressants for migraines or depression without consulting in your doctor. None of these suggestions are meant to take place of prescription migraine treatments or medications for depression, and do not constitute medical advice.

Still, the following natural strategies have been proven to help significantly, and are recommended by physicians as part of a multi-pronged approach to combatting depression that occurs with chronic migraines.

#1 Choose an exercise that feels good

Countless medical studies confirm that regular physical activity has the power to curb mood disorders, enhance neurological health, and impart an overall sense of wellbeing.

Daily exercise reduces stress, boosts pain-killing endorphins, and regulates healthy serotonin and dopamine levels for improved relaxation response and more restful sleep.

Additionally, exercise is also recommended as a natural way to reduce migraine attacks, as stress is one of the most vicious trigger of migraines.

To benefit from exercise as a means of fighting depression, start small- try walking for twenty minutes each day, and work your way up to longer sessions.

#2 Sleep, but not too much

Getting enough restful sleep at night is instrumental for fighting migraines, as well as depression. Good sleep habits include going to sleep at a reasonable hour each night, avoiding electrical gadgets several hours before bedtime, and keeping it consistent.

Too much sleep can backfire, though, as migraine headaches and depression are often made worse by irregular sleep schedules, such as napping in the afternoon or hitting the snooze button on weekends.

#3 Think positive thoughts

Keeping your chin up and hoping for the best isn’t just great advice for conquering depression; it also helps with migraines. In studies that focused on patients who suffered from chronic pain, scientists noted that participants who kept a positive attitude and refrained from dwelling on their pain symptoms were most likely to achieve better results in pain management.

#4 Stick to routines

When chaos reigns, depression and anxiety are not far behind. While reckless abandonment of your daily routine may appeal to your spontaneous side, resist the temptation to drop your most basic healthy lifestyle habits. Following a regular routine adds an element of structure to your life that soothes the nerves and fends off feelings of melancholy and despair.

Some good routines that help with depression and migraines may include:

Getting fully dressed each morning before you leave your bedroom, including shoes
Sticking to daily hygiene, including showering, tooth-brushing, and hair-combing
Fixing your bed every morning
Check your calendar
Keep dirty dishes at bay
Do one load of laundry each day
Taking your vitamins and minerals
Exercising
Allowing time to fix a healthy, nutritious meal
Devoting some time to personal reflection, relaxation, or positive affirmations