Migraines and exercise have a complex association. Exercise can trigger a migraine, but consistent exercise can act as a migraine headache natural treatment by minimizing the intensity and its frequency of occurrence. However, it is essential to exercise safely to treat or deal with migraines.

Exercising while you’re having a migraine headache is prohibited by doctors as it may worsen the condition. Stress is the primary trigger of migraine. Exercise can assist in controlling the migraine attacks by stress relief and be a migraine headache natural treatment for many.

Exercise releases enkephalins and endorphins. As migraine headache natural treatments, these are natural, feel-good hormones, natural antidepressants, and natural pain killers.

Below are some exercise tips that act as a migraine headache natural treatment:

1. Choose an activity you enjoy
Be it brisk walking, swimming, jogging, cycling or anything that you associate with or like; stick to it consistently as an everyday activity. Begin with low-level impact exercise that does not overexert your body a lot.

2. Build up your stamina slowly and gradually
Once you feel comfortable and at ease with your everyday routine, slowly increase the intensity of the exercise. Certain exercises such as hopping, jumping jacks, box jumps, and running stairs can build the muscles, joints, bones as well as ligaments. If you are a beginner then restrict your high-level impact exercise to a day per week. Increase it only when you are comfortable enough. The objective is to move more and sit less.

Your goal:

• Aerobic exercise of moderate intensity
• Strength training for two or more days
• Add stair climbing, jogging a little and some other small bits to the count

3. Snack smartly to manage migraine headaches
Since the glucose in our blood diminishes while exercising, an energy source is needed during exercising. Protein bars, nuts, and other protein foods are good snacks to eat before exercising. You must eat the snack 90 minutes before exercising as eating too close to a workout can result in cramps. It is essential to snack because long hours of not having anything can trigger a migraine attack.

4. Remain hydrated pre, during, and post workout
A migraine attack can occur when exercising, if you’re not sufficiently hydrated. About 64-80 ounces liquids have to be replaced within the body which one loses within a day. It can be more if you live in an area where the climate is hot. It is observed that people who consumed sufficient water had lesser chances of a migraine attack while exercising.

5. Warming up before exercising
It is important to warm up before exercising; a five-minute stroll before cycling, jogging, running, resistance training or weight lifting is essential to avoid triggering a migraine attack. Gentle stretches can aid in lowering your BP and heart rate post workout.

6. Keep cool
Exercising in a temperature-controlled atmosphere to cool is the best option. Exercise generates heat and an overheated temperature can trigger a migraine.

7. Observe your posture
Having a wrong form while exercising like placing stress on neck or head or shoulders can trigger migraines.

8. Medicines
Consult your doctor to know if the migraine medication has to be taken before your workout as some medicines can raise blood pressure and heart rate.

Include exercise in your everyday routine by following the tips to make it safe. When followed properly, exercising is an effective migraine headache natural treatment.