Finding Comfort During a Migraine

By Amanda Workman

3 min read

When the pain of a migraine is crashing down on us, it makes sense that we would seek comfort. While our medications are one form of comfort, there are additional ways to find comfort during a migraine attack. A supportive environment can help convince your nervous system that you are safe. This is feeling of safety reduces the flight or fight response.

Blankets

This is one of my personal favorites and my go-to comfort item. According to my mother, I was always a blankie baby growing up. I have blankets everywhere in my house, yet I will still buy more when I find a good one somewhere. The fuzzy and soft blankets are my kryptonite. My dog even loves blankets!

I also have two weighted blankets. The original use of weighted blankets was for a therapy component to managing sensory issues with Autism. These blankets have been used for anxiety issues for quite some time. I find them comforting about half the time. I believe having a migraine can be a very anxiety-inducing experience. My migraine cocoon will always have plenty of blankets, including one of my weighted blankets.

Migraine-friendly clothing

I am sure this seems like a strange category for most people. There are types of clothing choices that are more comforting to different individuals. Some individuals prefer compression-type clothing, weighted clothing, or soft sometimes seamless clothing.

I personally desire soft, stretchy, and breathable clothing. Being stuck in clothing that is rough, hot, or restrictive will drive me crazy when I have a migraine. It took me time to understand why I would get so irritated with certain migraine attacks. Once I started paying more attention to my irritation, I discovered the fabrics around me seemed to interact with the nerves all over my body. Be sensitive and attentive to your body to determine which fabrics feel soothing to you.

Shower or baths

I do find hot baths to be soothing and a way to destress in a normal circumstance. Despite this, when I am dealing with a migraine, I prefer a hot shower. Even if I spend part of this hot shower on the floor of my tub. For me, dealing with making a hot bath and everything during a migraine feels overwhelming. The hot water can have the effects of a vasodilator. This helps with a migraine because it the pain can be caused by the vasoconstriction of the blood vessels.

Fur babies

One way to find comfort during a migraine attack is to spend time with a pain pal or fur baby. The comfort and benefits offered by a pain pal can be unmatched. A very comforting thing I can actively do during a migraine is to pet my pain pal. It is soothing to me and helps me feel like I am not alone in my pain. Luckily for me, my dog is an incredibly quiet guy. I do not have to worry about him making a lot of fuss that will bother my head.

My cocoon

My migraine cocoon involves many of the previously mentioned comfort techniques. I will start with a hot shower after I take my medicine. I put on clothing that I know will be comfortable for me. Next, I take bottles of water with me and climb into a pile of blankets in my cold dark room. My pain pal climbs in bed with me. I can pet him and even cuddle with him. He is used to being the little spoon! It is my safe haven and what I crave when a migraine hits me. Although, with enough cozy blankets, I can make a temporary small cocoon when I am not home.

How do you seek comfort during a migraine?

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Migraine.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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MrCJF Member
For me, blankets are good for warmth rather than pressure. Getting into bed with a migraine in a dark room psychologically makes me feel a bit better straight away. I had a discussion with my manager a while back about coping strategies (we are mental health social workers) that is too long to detail here, but we talked about the difference and borderline between self care and self indulgence when seeking coping strategies. eg I now choose to cycle commute half my days as a stress reliever, in the past I've sought comfort food - worst example is the half pound bag of sweets or 'sharing' bag of Doritos (sharing? no way am I sharing that!). I've burnt out twice in my career, and poor migraine management has contributed to it so I've had to learn some lessons along the way.
1. MelanieM Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="mrfpb" user-id="3705696"/> , thank you for sharing your experience with us. I imagine being a mental health social worker, you would have to develop some good coping strategies to nurture your own mental health! I found it really interesting to read that you now cycle commute as one of them. I also need to find better coping mechanisms, thank you for sharing some of yours! Warmly, Melanie (Team member)
2. Amanda Workman Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="mrfpb" user-id="3705696"/> I try so hard to stay away from binge eating comfort food. Sometimes it does help get through the pain but then I feel guilty later because I ate a whole bag of hot Cheetos! Learning what coping mechanisms works for you can definitely be a challenge. This makes me appreciate you taking the time to share with us so much. I believe that allowing others to know they things we do or try can be so helpful. Thank you so much for the work you do. You have such an important job. Best wishes - Amanda (team member)
hitesh-goenka Member
Even I find showers soothing. So, I take two each day whether I step out of the house or not. People seem to get confused about why I do it. I like the least amount of clothes and accessories. That's why I have shunned any form of jewelry (rings, chains, and...) and wrist watches. I feel horrible during the winters when I am decked in woolens from head to toe.
1. hitesh-goenka Member
 <inline-mention username="Amanda Workman" user-id="3715820"/> Thanks a ton for this insight. I seem to have a bit of this Allodynia, especially the thermal and touch parts. I find it weird when my skin is brushed against someone else's. I can't tolerate air-conditioned rooms. I hate anything on my skin. I don't know why. Plus, lights and noise has always been a bother for me, making me highly irritable as well. 
2. Amanda Workman Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="hitesh-goenka" user-id="3755282"/> I am really glad the information was helpful. Sometimes it helps to know why you feel the way that you do. I know I used to feel like I was crazy when I was dealing with my allodynia issues. I have also always been sensitive to noises and lights. According to my mother, I had aversions to them since I was a small child. I completely understand how they make you irritable because I have that problem too. It can be so hard to not snap at somebody or something when that happens too. - Amanda (team member)
ChroniKat Member
A friend made me agenerous-sized lap robe quilt, flannel-backed. It hads a bit of weight and warmth to it, which I crave during a migraine. I also use electric heating pads, I just got a new, large, soft one. My "cocoon" is my recliner with pillows, quilt and heating pad!
1. Amanda Workman Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="ChroniKat" user-id="3674804"/> That sounds so interesting! I want to see a picture, lol It sounds like you have a very comfortable spot set up for when you have a migraine! Thank you so much for sharing. - Amanda (team member)
ChroniKat Member
<inline-mention username="Amanda Workman" user-id="3715820"/> I don't think I'll share a picture of me with a migraine in my socks and quilt on my recliner, I would probably have a look on my face like I was in a torture chamber! (Just to clarify, I wouldn't only be wearing socks and a quilt, lol!) 😉
1. Amanda Workman Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="ChroniKat" user-id="3674804"/> LOL. Oh my! You made me laugh! Granted in my defense, I did just mean the specialty quilt you have going on over there! Isn't it crazy that so many of us prefer less clothing while we are fighting a migraine! Though socks would drive me nuts. - Amanda (team member)
2. Melissa Arnold Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="ChroniKat" user-id="3674804"/> I feel like everyone here would totally recognize "that face" though. I recently heard a story from someone with migraine who said the doctor who diagnosed her walked in the room and said, "You have migraines, don't you? I know that face." -Melissa, <a href='http://migraine.com' target='_blank'>migraine.com</a> team

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