Migraines can make you a lot more sensitive to lights, sounds, and smells. Something that ordinarily wouldn’t bother you can make you miserable when you have a migraine. If you’re at work or school and can’t fully relax or take a nap, do what you can to minimize sensory stimuli around you. For example, you might go to the bathroom for a few minutes and turn the lights off.

At least one clinical trial has shown that lavender oil was a safe and effective treatment for managing migraine severity. You can also dab the oil on your temples and under your nose so you can inhale it without having to hold the bottle. Dilute the oil before applying it topically so you don’t irritate your skin—just use 1 drop of oil per teaspoon (5cc) of carrier oil (vegetable or nut oil) or water. [3] X Research source

Both hot and cold work to ease pain, although one might work better than the other for you. Try both and see which one gives you the most relief. Always wrap your compress in a dry towel before you place it on your body—otherwise, it could burn or irritate your skin.

If your mind turns to something else, that’s fine! Just acknowledge the thought, then turn your attention back to your breath. Studies show meditation and deep breathing are particularly effective at relieving tension and stress, which are key migraine triggers. [6] X Research source

In the US, there are 3 OTC drugs specifically approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating migraines: Excedrin Migraine, Advil Migraine, and Motrin Migraine Pain. Follow the instructions on the bottle carefully regarding dosage and don’t take these drugs more than 3 times a week—you could develop a dependency. If you have more than 3 migraines a week, prescription drugs might be more effective for you.

Before you order that espresso, though, check the ingredients of any medications you’re taking to make sure they don’t also include caffeine. If you’re taking a drug for migraine relief that includes caffeine, you don’t want to add more on top of that. When it comes to caffeine and migraines, a little goes a long way. Too much caffeine can actually trigger a migraine for some people, so you’re walking a fine line here. Limit yourself to a single drink or a few bites of chocolate to play it safe. [9] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source

The herbs butterbur and feverfew are also sometimes recommended for migraines. You can take them in capsule form or drink a tea. There’s some clinical evidence that they work, but the results are mixed. Butterbur, in particular, has safety concerns, so only take this if your doctor recommends it. [11] X Research source

Yoga practice typically includes deep-breathing and relaxation exercises as well, which are beneficial in and of themselves to treat migraines.

Massage helps reduce tension in your body and release stress, which likely contributes to its ability to treat migraines. Self-massage is also helpful when you feel a migraine coming on. Use light pressure with your fingertips to massage in gentle circles or a back-and-forth motion on your temples and scalp. Focus on the muscles underneath rather than simply letting your fingers glide over your skin. [14] X Research source

Once you’ve identified possible triggers, avoid them if you can and see if you have fewer migraines. For example, if you get a migraine every time you eat a hot dog, you might find that if you don’t eat hot dogs anymore, those migraines go away. Sometimes a trigger is unavoidable. For example, suppose you discover that you always get a migraine when there’s a thunderstorm. You can’t exactly avoid thunderstorms (since you can’t control the weather), but if you know thunderstorms trigger migraines, you can take preventive action when you know a thunderstorm is coming.

Triptans: available as pills, shots, or nasal sprays, taken at the onset of a migraine to alleviate symptoms Dihydroergotamines: available as a nasal spray or injection; most beneficial to alleviate symptoms of migraines that would normally last more than 24 hours Tricyclic antidepressants: prescribed to prevent migraines Anti-seizure drugs: prescribed to prevent migraines