Your Plan of Attack

Of the many effects that migraine and/or headache can have on your life, one of the worst is feeling a lack of control.

For many, this is a time of year to reflect on the past, and plan for the future. Pain is indeed a powerful motivator, but so is migraine's effect on your career, the affect of headaches on your family life - and the list goes on.

So as you reflect this year, this is my challenge to you. Don't just jump into a new treatment that you hear from your uncle during Christmas dinner. Don't just wait for your doctor to prescribe yet another medication. And most of all, don't fall for the lie that you just have to live with it.

Instead, find at least one way to carefully plan to take control in the coming year.

Here are some simple yet powerful ways to take control:

Eat: For years, looking at the world of modern migraine research, I've been convinced that changing the way we eat is one of the most - if not the most - powerful treatments. Many migraine patients are testing the incredible benefits of quitting sugar - see How To Quit Sugar (1) and How To Quit Sugar (2). Also check out Do "Migraine Diets" have this in Common? and our readers' opinions in I cut this out of my diet – and had fewer migraine/headache attacks
Move: It's the notorious failed New Year's resolution - the gym membership. But for many migraine patients, exercise seems to bring even more headaches. One of the secrets of success for many is - don't take drastic measures, take small steps. Just plan how you will move more in your daily life. Little by little, it can transform your health long term. Check out 23 and 1/2 hours: What is the single best thing we can do for our health? and End exercise induced headache and finally Exercise Fights Migraine (a study of comparison)
Organize: If you want to succeed in any of these things, organization is key. But there are some important things you can do to take control just by being prepared. Do you keep some kind of headache diary? Do you know how to communicate with your doctor? Do you know your medical history, and family medical history? See also 10 Things to Tell Your Doctor
Prepare: This past spring, as a part of a giveaway contest we had, you shared your "migraine kit" ideas - check them out here!

There are many ways you can fight back and take control. How you do it is up to you - but I encourage you to take at least one step as we head into a new decade!

"Fight Back" Articles of 2019

Here are some of the top "fight back" articles from the past year, to further motivate you to take that step that will empower you to conquer headaches:

Say what?! Empowerment

According to the Oxford Dictionary, empowerment is "the act of giving somebody the power or authority to do something". It's easy to wish that we had the power to take control - to complain about doctors or insurance companies or governments. But the hard part is actually taking control of our own lives - building, instead of talking.

So - empower yourself! Educate yourself, and take those small steps you need to take. I look forward to hearing your success stories in the year to come!

Thanks for reading! Remember, if you have feedback or ideas for future issues, visit the HeadWay MailRoom. Your password is nomoache.

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