The Migraine Freedom Blog by Debbie Waidl

Teaching Through the Pain: A Guide to Managing Migraines in the Classroom

One of the ways my team and I support women in achieving migraine freedom is to get to know them… truly know them. Not just their migraine symptoms, not just their health history, or the pills they are taking… but really get to know them.

We want to know about their daily life, what they wish it could include, and the other challenges they are tackling beyond migraine pain.

It's crucial for us to grasp the full picture to support each woman effectively, not just in easing their migraines, but in improving their overall quality of life.

The more we know about each person, the more education we can share that pertains to their circumstances.

Speaking of education, one of the largest groups of women we support is educators. From Pre-K teachers to college professors, migraines do not discriminate. In this blog post, we’re diving into how teachers can manage migraines in the classroom and start thriving!

The Educator's Burden

Imagine a day filled with non-stop activity that starts early in the morning and sometimes, continues late into the evening. From navigating the chaos of a bustling classroom and parent-teacher conferences to grading papers and creating next week's lesson plans, a teacher's work seemingly never stops.

Our teachers are under immense pressure, managing not just the curriculum, but being the custodians of their students' safety, mental health, and overall well-being.

With resources often stretched thin due to budget constraints, the burden only intensifies, making migraines an unwelcome, yet frequent visitor.

But why is this issue so prevalent among educators?

The answer lies in the unique demands of their profession - the long hours, larger classroom sizes, individual needs of each student, and the environmental conditions of classrooms ALL contribute to the stress that triggers migraines.

Add to this the emotional toll of nurturing young minds in today’s world, and the picture becomes clear - the life of an educator is both demanding and draining, a fertile ground for migraines to thrive.

So, short of quitting their professions or loading up on medications to push through their days, what are teachers to do?

Tackling the Six Key Areas of Inflammation

It's about making practical, sustainable changes across the six key areas of inflammation that align with your busy lifestyle.

Because, let's face it, there's barely enough time in the day to meet your responsibilities, let alone carve out moments for elaborate self-care routines.

Implementing just a few minor adjustments to your daily routine can start to alleviate your migraine pain and help you recover some of the energy that migraines have been taking from you.

For instance, taking just 5-10 minutes daily to prioritize your own well-being can significantly reduce chronic inflammation.

While your dedication to your students is commendable, it's vital to also focus on self-care to enhance your ability to support them.

Remember the principle of the oxygen mask on airplanes: you need to secure your own before helping others.

Consider what personal wellness practices could also benefit your students.

Daily meditation for five minutes before classes begin, performing breathing exercises at your desk midday, or even sharing a quick laughter break to elevate oxytocin levels could be beneficial.

These short intervals dedicated to self-care could profoundly influence both you and your students’ day.

The Role of Environmental Toxins

Another area to consider is reducing environmental toxins.

While it might seem difficult to tackle this at school, there are certainly efforts you can make to improve your environment.

Look into improving the air quality in your classroom. A straightforward step like using an air purifier or setting up a diffuser to clear out the harsh chemicals left behind after cleaning can make a surprising difference.

Consider requesting support from your school for modifications such as installing new light bulbs, providing a fan to better control your classroom's temperature, or relocating your classroom away from damp or mold-prone areas of the building. All of these measures are valuable.

The Magic of Movement

Then, there is movement. No, not the walking from class to class kind, but intentional stretching, strength exercises, and some cardio. These don't have to eat into your day; just a few minutes here and there can contribute significantly to your well-being.

While you may need to schedule regular exercise outside of your school day, you can schedule in a few breaks during your day that will not only benefit you, but your students as well.

How about a stretch break mid-day, a walk outside for some sunshine during science class, or even a quick march in place at your desk to get the endorphins flowing?

These tips mark a good starting point for educators aiming to enhance their well-being, both inside and outside the classroom.

If you want to hear firsthand from 4 teachers who have successfully navigated their way to migraine freedom, click here for their stories.

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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