Running a business when you live with migraine disorder is a balancing act that calls for planning, communication and action. Migraine can have a ripple effect on your daily productivity and overall business goals. As a business owner, you can’t afford to take the day off every time migraine strikes, so what can you do?
Keep reading for the top tips to reduce the occurrence of workplace migraine attacks and strategies to handle them while still maintaining your business functions.
Why being a business owner can trigger migraine
Being a business owner is a rewarding path, but it also comes with a lot of mental and physical stress that can trigger migraine attacks. Here are some examples of demands that might trigger your migraine:
- Stress: Business owners may experience migraine attacks from stress. Whether it’s dealing with busy environments and staff or tension from handling so many responsibilities, stress is everywhere as a business owner.
- Poor sleep habits: A fully packed calendar may not include sufficient time to destress and get enough sleep. Business owners may find it challenging to develop a consistent sleep schedule, which could trigger more migraine attacks.
- Caffeine and alcohol: For some people, caffeine is a trigger, but for others, it can help relieve pain associated with migraine disorder. Do you rely on caffeine to get through the day and/or consume alcohol at social events? Excessive caffeine and alcohol can lead to dehydration, which is a significant migraine trigger.
- Light: Bright light can be triggering, and light sensitivity, also known as photophobia, is one of the most common migraine warning signs and symptoms. Business owners often spend a lot of time in front of a screen, which could lead to more migraine attacks.
- Diet: Everyone has different migraine triggers in their diet. Some common examples include cured meats, caffeine, cheese, artificial sweeteners and foods with a strong smell. Business owners have a busy lifestyle and may not always be able to avoid these trigger foods. They may also not have time to eat consistent meals, potentially lowering blood sugar, which is another top trigger.
Proactive migraine prevention strategies
Although business owners are likely to encounter several potential triggers on a daily basis, there are ways to be proactive in preventing migraine attacks while working. One of the best techniques is tracking. Logging your migraine symptoms and potential triggers can help you find patterns and avoid them to reduce migraine attacks. The CeCe Migraine Management app offers a convenient way to log and track triggers and symptoms.
Prioritizing self-care is also crucial to proactive prevention. Stick to consistent eating times and avoid skipping meals to keep your blood sugar stable and prevent hunger-related migraine attacks. Invest in a large water bottle and set reminders throughout the day to hydrate.
Some triggers, like light exposure and stress, can’t be completely avoided. Try limiting exposure to bright lights, taking regular breaks away from screens and setting designated screen time to give your eyes a break. Engage in stress-relief techniques like meditation or exercise to deal with the stress in a healthy way and prevent excessive tension.
The CEFALY medical device is another excellent option for preventing migraine attacks. This FDA-cleared device has a 20-minute PREVENT setting that you can use daily. It’s clinically proven to reduce the frequency of migraine attacks.
The power of delegation and support systems
Business owners can prevent migraine attacks and make it easier to handle by asking for more support. If you’re stressed because of a high workload, identify tasks you can delegate to employees or outsource stressful and tedious tasks to reduce your tension. Remember that carrying all the weight on your shoulders isn’t what makes you a good business owner. Delegating tasks isn’t a sign of weakness — rather, it’s a hallmark of quality leadership.
You can’t take care of your business if you don’t take care of yourself. Look for a support group of fellow entrepreneurs or connect with your mentors. Talk to your support staff about ways they can help when you have a migraine attack. Don’t hesitate to take a few hours off where needed and direct staff to contact you with concerns on the next business day.
Creating your “migraine at work” action plan
Research shows that 25% of people with migraine disorder report that the attacks cause interruptions in their daily lives. Many business owners have to deal with migraine symptoms while working, so it’s important to have an action plan. Here’s an idea of what a migraine at work action plan might look like:
Recognize early warning signs
The pre-headache phase, also known as the prodrome phase, is the beginning of the migraine attack and typically occurs a few hours and sometimes days before a migraine attack begins. Pay attention to how you feel before a migraine and log it. For example, if you get nausea or yawn more, being aware of these signs can help you act fast before your migraine attack takes its full form. For maximum effectiveness, CEFALY’s ACUTE treatment should be started at the earliest sign of an attack.
Create a work triage system
Predetermine which tasks are critical and which ones can be delegated. When you feel a migraine attack coming on, communicate with your team and delegate tasks where possible. It’s a good idea to have a prewritten email that you can send to key contacts in the event of a migraine attack. If possible, identify tasks that can be postponed well in advance so you’re better prepared for emergencies.
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Assemble your migraine survival kit
A migraine survival kit is something you can turn to for relief when you get a migraine attack. Here are some things you might want to include in this bag:
- Medication: If you have painkillers or any other medication prescribed by a doctor, be sure to stock them in your kit. Take them at the first sign of an attack.
- Water and hydration sachets: Keep a bottle of water and hydration packets to stay hydrated when you need it most. It will also come in handy when you need to take your pills. Hydration packets contain electrolytes, which can be more effective than drinking water alone.
- Sunglasses, migraine glasses or eye mask: If light exposure triggers your migraine attacks, carry a pair of sunglasses or migraine lenses to prevent the light from worsening your pain. An eye mask can also help you take a small break in the dark.
- Comfort items: Add items like essential oils, headphones and other things that bring you comfort when you have a migraine attack.
- CEFALY: Keep the CEFALY medical device in your migraine kit for relief on the go. This medical device works by directly targeting the nerve pathways involved in headache pain. The 60-minute ACUTE program provides relief during migraine attacks.
Treat migraine attacks with CEFALY
When you’re a business owner, migraine attacks can get in the way of essential tasks. CEFALY is the #1 FDA-cleared device for migraine treatment. It’s clinically proven to provide migraine relief, and you don’t need a prescription to use it. It’s a dual-purpose device that you can use daily to prevent attacks and for relief during an imminent attack.
The portable size and nature of CEFALY mean it’ll easily fit into your migraine survival kit. All our devices come with a 3-year warranty and a 90-day money-back guarantee.
Try CEFALY today and enjoy portable migraine relief.
