The Migraine Freedom Blog by Debbie Waidl

Merry and Bright, But at What Cost? The Toxins Hidden in Your Holiday

As the weather cools and the air turns from warm to crisp, many people spend more time indoors.

Instead of opening the windows wide to let in the fresh air in, we pull out the blankets and get cozy by the fire.

I LOVE the fall and actually enjoy the winter months because it’s time to slow down and reset. I think of it as my time to rejuvenate before the busy, active schedule of spring and summer.

While slowing down and embracing this time of year can be super healthy for us, what we don't always realize is how this shift affects us.

The not-so-wonderful world of winter chemicals.

This season often brings us into closer contact with chemicals that we don't necessarily encounter throughout the rest of the year.

For many of us, these extra toxins lead to increased inflammation, which can cause an increase in health issues and migraine headaches.

So, while we're getting into the holiday spirit, we've also got to think about what these changes mean for our migraine pain.

The effects of holiday decorations.

Let’s start with holiday decorations.

Many holiday decorations, like your artificial Christmas tree, contain toxic chemicals, such as lead, flame retardants, tin compounds, and phthalates.

These chemicals can be linked to health issues like asthma, birth defects, cancer, and migraines. These are all things triggered by increased inflammation.

That pretty artificial snow you use on your holiday scenes may contain acetone or methylene chloride. When inhaled, these can be harmful because they trigger inflammation.

And then there is a fan favorite- those festive, scented candles. Scented candles release VOC [Volatile Organic Compounds], which can trigger allergic reactions, asthma, and neurological issues. This is due to Toluene, a chemical found in some candles that can cause headaches, dizziness, and confusion.

And if that isn’t enough, certain fragrances in your scented candle can interfere with hormonal balance.

If you are concerned about hormone balance, it is also essential to examine the amount of plastic you come in contact with. Many of us don't realize that plastics can disrupt our hormonal systems, leading some to mistakenly attribute hormone imbalances to a need for HRT or birth control.

In reality, reducing plastic exposure can be a more direct and effective approach to resolving these hormonal imbalances that can influence migraines.

The effects of holiday treats.

Now, onto those holiday candies and treats.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but some of your favorites may contain xylitol and artificial flavorings. Ingesting these can cause digestive issues like bloating, gas, and diarrhea. A higher level of xylitol in the blood can be associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, along with long-term cardiovascular health risks.

And we can’t forget about the alcohol.

While I know many women with migraines don’t typically drink, which is a smart idea while you are trying to reduce your inflammatory load, beverages like Eggnog or Champagne are highly inflammatory and can cause dangerous drops in blood sugar, blood pressure and body temperature.

So, how can you enjoy the holiday season migraine-free?

Our Freedom From Migraines Method clients are taught that chemicals in our environment can be a significant migraine trigger. This is because they contribute to what we often refer to as a 'toxic load.’

In our programs, we discuss 'toxicity mitigation,' which is one of the six essential keys in our protocol.

When we combine this with the other 5 keys to reducing inflammation, we strengthen the body's defenses and enable it to handle occasional toxic exposures better.

Overall, they learn how to keep inflammation, and therefore migraines, at bay!

When your system is resilient, and your detoxification process is working properly, your liver is more equipped to process occasional encounters with toxins.

This is the level of support and relief we aim for. The Freedom From Migraines Method isn’t just about management – which is the route often taken by many in conventional medicine. It’s about getting to the root cause of your migraines so we can heal them in the long term.

Our livers are central to processing toxins, but these vital organs can become overloaded with migraine medications and injections.

Through our protocol, we reduce environmental toxins and support liver health, helping to lessen the total toxic burden, which is crucial for achieving lasting migraine relief.

In the Freedom From Migraines Method, we're not just helping you make better choices to avoid these toxins.

We're also building your body's ability to cope when you do encounter them, ensuring that these exposures don't derail your everyday life and your journey to lasting migraine relief.

If we can help you determine how to enjoy this holiday without worrying about toxins lurking around the corner, remember we are here.

Book a free call with us today!

Also, if you’re ready to step into the holidays knowing how to keep your hormones and inflammation in check, join our 3-Day Challenge!

We’re giving away our easy-to-follow plan, completely free, to keep your migraines at bay this holiday season (and beyond) so you can focus on making precious memories with the ones you love most.

The challenge starts TODAY, but there’s still time to join! Grab your spot here!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Debbie Waidl is the Owner of In The Balance Health Coaching LLC, and Founder of The Freedom From Migraines Method™ & The Migraine Freedom Protocol™
She supports busy moms living with Migraines.

Debbie will uncover what is holding them back from migraine freedom so they can live their life pain and symptom free, work productively, spend the time they want with family and friends, and stop missing out on the things they enjoy.

A message from Debbie:
"I was once right where you are now. 100% believing there was NO WAY to end migraines and my only option was to learn how to live with them or find that magic pill that maybe would work for a while. If anyone told me back then that I could end my pain once and for all, I would have called BS and popped another pill!

Skeptical times 10 was my middle name for sure because when you try it all and everyone tells you they can help you and they don’t. You stop believing… you lose HOPE!

I now realize I was approaching my migraines all backward.

I was trying to cover up symptoms versus trying to end my pain."

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