Category: Easy
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Kiddy craft for migraines
OK, so since I’ve finished my PhD and graduated, I have had a bit of spare time on my hands. One of the things that I yap about to myself and others, here and at home, is the healing power of distraction – preferably through simple, hands-on arts and crafts…
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Doodle your pain away
I’ve written before about the art of distraction and how it can help you forget your pain… for awhile. Arts and crafts that have helped me include long-stitch sewing, taking photographs of “glimmers” (the things that make me happy) and making either a mood-board or coloring-in a healing mandala. I’ve…
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Haiku for pain relief
Some time ago, I wrote a post titled “The narrow road of healing” which referenced the seventeenth century writer Matsuo Basho (1644-94) and his book of poems written on pilgrimage. The collection of poems included one that is considered ‘the most famous’ haiku ever written – “The Old Pond”: An…
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Bedroom basics for pain-isolation
When I get migraines, I become extremely sensitive to light and noise. ‘Normal’ sunlight suddenly seems way too bright, and people talking becomes amplified in my head, as if someone turned the volume up to 11 on the 1-10 dial. My traditional treatment was to go to the quietest, darkest…
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ASMR for migraines
Words can’t describe how excited I am that so many of you are reaching out on the CONTACT page of this blog to send me tips and well wishes – it really makes my day! The latest tip comes from Hubert who’s wife is a big believer in ASMR for…
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Bathroom bliss
Bathrooms are one of the most notoriously expensive rooms in a house to renovate, but they can also be one of the most blissful rooms if they’re done right. I’m not going to try to convince you to install a new bidet or advocate the joys of rain-showers or those…
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Wash that pain right out of your head
When I was younger, I used to be a complete sucker for a musical on TV. “The Sound of Music”, “West Side Story”, and “Greece” all come to mind, as well as “The King and I”. As a teenager, I then went through a stage (pun intended) where I loved…
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Face Yoga for migraines
A while ago, when I was at the physiotherapist for my frozen shoulder, I asked her for some advice about the tension in my face. I’ve mentioned before that I wear a mouthguard at night to stop me grinding my teeth, and I also (regularly) talk about ways to prevent…
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Keep smiling as you go under
A gazillion years ago, I remember reading a quote from the Dalai Lama that said something like “smile with your face and your heart will follow”. It seemed a small thing, but during my healing journey I have come to realize that it has powerful implications. Your pain-brain is always…
The Mindful Migraine 