Is Migraine Affecting Your Happiness? You're Not Alone

Welcome to the second episode of our Mindful Migraine Breakthrough. It’s perfect timing for this episode since I am currently in Kihei, Maui with my team on our first ever migraine freedom retreat.

The fact that we're here is quite something, especially considering that not too long ago, such a trip would have been unimaginable for many of us due to the constant pain of migraines.

This retreat is about celebrating our freedom as well as an opportunity to focus on you, our community.

We're here recharging our batteries while brainstorming and strategizing new ways to support you in finding your migraine freedom, just like we have.

Practicing what we preach is crucial, and when it comes to stopping migraines, taking care of ourselves has to come first so we can better support each of you.

We understand that if we don't make our own health a priority, nobody else will do it for us.

I can’t wait to share everything we create for you so make sure you watch my reels and stories for sneak peaks into the amazingness we have in store.

You might be wondering why I am focusing on mindfulness when all you want are tips to end your head pain and symptoms.

It’s a great question and one that's so easy to answer.

What we have learned from supporting thousands of women with chronic pain is that mindfulness is just as important, if not more so, than diet, exercise and hydration, especially when it comes to ending migraines.

Stress and inflammation are closely linked, and both can trigger migraines. It’s crucial to understand how much our mindset affects our health.

Imagine being constantly stressed—it’s like your body thinks it’s in danger all the time, staying in a fight-or-flight mode. This isn't good for anyone’s health in the long run.

Ignoring chronic stress is like ignoring a flashing check engine light; it can lead to much bigger problems down the road.

That’s why we emphasize Mindset Modulation in our Migraine Freedom™ Protocol, helping women understand and manage their stress better.

We've seen some amazing changes: many women, who've been dealing with pain for over half their lives, have greatly reduced their pain by following our whole protocol. ge their stress better.

This isn't just about diet and exercise, which is what a lot of the women I speak to usually focus on.

Our approach includes six key areas of inflammation, one of which is learning how to be more mindful. It’s this whole package that’s making the difference.

In The Freedom From Migraines Method® Program, we include a mindfulness module and a dedicated weekly coaching call focused on brain rewiring and learning techniques on finding the best ways to move from stress to relaxation

The shift from a stressed (sympathetic) to a relaxed (parasympathetic) state can decrease your heart rate, improve healing, and reduce inflammation, which helps reduce migraines.

Managing a hectic life while dealing with migraines isn’t easy, and it certainly adds stress. That’s where our new Mindful Migraine Breakthrough episodes come in. Each month, we’ll share strategies from our work with private clients that help bring more pain-free days.

This week, we’re starting with a foundational exercise from our Freedom From Migraines Method® program to help new members kickstart their journey toward being migraine-free.

We call it our Diamond tip #2: Confronting the Cost.

We covered Diamond tip #1 here so make sure you go take a peak. There are three tips in total that work together.

Grab a piece of paper or your phone and start listing all the things migraines have taken from you over the years.

Planning vacations, nights out with friends, intimacy with your partner, a promotion or new job, quality time with your kids, a clean house, home cooked meals, time to read, energy to enjoy the hours after work, …whatever it is write it down.

This exercise might feel challenging as it asks you to face the losses head-on, but it's a crucial step.

By acknowledging what migraines deprive you of—be it moments with family, personal growth opportunities, or simply the joy of waking up without fear—you are recognizing what's at stake and why the fight for freedom is so vital.

This list will serve as a powerful motivator, encouraging you to push forward whenever the journey becomes tough.

Place this somewhere you will see it everyday and keep adding more to your list!

Everytime migraines impact something in your life, write it down!

I'll never forget the night when my father-in-law was rushed to the hospital and we later found out he’d never be returning home.

My mother in law called and told us to meet her there. I couldn't drive my husband because of a terrible migraine. I was stuck in bed, barely able to move.

Then, my nephew-in-law called from the hospital, telling me I had to find a way to get there.

Somehow I did. Lots of pills and caffeine later I dragged myself to the hospital. I wasn't really able to be there for my father-in-law, my husband, or anyone else in the family like I wanted to be.

I was a shell of me-there in person but emotionally my focus was still on my pain and the grogginess I felt from all of the pills.

This is just one example of what migraines took from me.

I had daily pain for 10 years so my list is long. I have so many regrets which I am working on now by LIVING and making new memories. I want the same for you.

Now that I have no pain it's easy to look back and see all of the hidden costs of migraines.

When I was in pain I only focused on the monetary ones…medications, injections, days missed at work, special diets, ice hats, etc.

But the real cost isn't these things, it's the time we lose and can never get back. The memories that will never be made and the life not lived.

If I can help in any way you know how to find me. Send me a DM or jump into our Women’s Migraine Freedom group for access to free training and resources to get you started today.

And don’t forget to pop in my stories this week-sneak peaks headed your way!!

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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