What's Your Secret Pastime?

By Holly Harding

1 min read

Migraine attacks paralyze us from activity and can make every minute feel like an eternity. Because the condition makes it impossible to maintain focus and robs us of stamina, we often must let go of previously held passions and ways we used to enjoy passing time.

What hobbies work around my migraine?

In this What's Your Secret video, Holly shares new pastimes she has discovered to help distract her and hasten the passing of time when she is down for the count with a migraine attack.

In the comment section below, we invite you to share pastimes you had to part ways with as well as the ones you've discovered to help manage life with migraine. We look forward to learning more about you!

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.

Join the conversation

Please read our rules before commenting.

azreynolds Member
Great topic! I use a lot of different ways to spend my time, depending on the severity of the pain. Sometimes I use distraction therapy if the pain is low to moderate. My mandolin offers me a purpose to "wasting" time when I can't get outside to garden, or do my house chores, and playing all the songs I've memorized can distract me for an hour or so. Painting is another perfect distraction therapy because I can lose myself for hours, totally absorbed in the colors. I'm an orchid mama, having several babies to watch grow and bloom. Since my house is set up with sheers and room darkening curtains, I can pull the sheers over my plants, protecting me from harsh light while allowing the plants plenty of light, but I'm able to still enjoy their blooms through the sheers. But if the pain is too intense and I have to drop my darkening curtains, I'll just bring the blooming plant over to the coffee table to enjoy. A lot of people find orchids a challenge, but I have not. Cooking for me is a chore, but one I enjoy if I'm not in pain. Baking on the other hand is fun for me! Great rewards too. Lol. I also love to watch movies, old B&W, fantasy, mysteries, romance, etc. Curtains are dropped, I'm in my recliner, heating pad is on, and I'll sit peeking out from underneath my icehat. But when the pain is too intense, or the vertigo is so bad I can't sit up, driving me to the bed, I'll play my collection of the quiet movements from my favorite classical pieces and meditate. Meditation helps keep me calm so I don't stress out over the excruciating pain. And if I'm lucky, I'll eventually fall asleep. Here's my last painting I did for a friend of his trip to Denali State Park in Alaska. <img src="/content/images/2024/10/16/829d050a43e7692953834051819b403e_medium.jpg" alt="Last painting" class="uploaded-image"/>
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="oildoc" user-id="3850291"/> It is interesting to hear about our various individualized lists of limitations. I'm most impressed (and envious)that you can read (when the pain is not too severe). That is one thing I cannot do anymore. I have to use audiobooks which is limiting as not all books are available in that medium and they are much slower to consume. That said, I can still enjoy walks and am grateful for that. As I said, we are all different in how migraine limits us. And, like you said, we also all have the variable of age working against us. It can't be understated how people living with chronic pain are faced with joint and muscle tightness due to the way we often curl up in the fetal position and hold ourselves in that protective stance for hours on end. As we age, our bones, muscles, and joints tighten and fold inward- keeping us in that posture. It takes a lot of concerted effort to untie those knots and work against those well-worn tendencies. Do you employ any strategies to stay upright? I find it difficult to do things like stretching and yoga as the exercises often involve inverted poses where the blood rushes to the head. Thanks again for sharing more about your journey. Glad you're with us. Warmly - Holly (team member) 
2. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="azreynolds" user-id="3677307"/> Do you use audiobooks? I think we talked about this before, Annzie. I do- but find the a bit slow-going and sometimes the books I'd like to read aren't available in audio format. How do you keep from getting tight from all the pain and ways that we hold our muscles and joints in a brittle way so frequently? I can't seem to find or stick with a way to keep stretched out. I'd imagine that would be so much harder given the sciatica and other issues you mentioned. Perhaps the nerve blocks, etc do the trick to help you from folding inward? I guess botox similarly helps keep my neck more mobile than it otherwise would be. Warmly - Holly (team member)
azreynolds Member
<inline-mention username="Cody Leach" user-id="4536970"/> I'm a fan of cookies! Oatmeal Chocolate Chip, Zucchini Chocolate Chip, Carrot Cookies, Olive Oil Cookies, and especially Shortbread cookies because just by changing the flavor you can create a bunch of other cookies. Lime, lemon, Chocolate, or Snickerdoodle.
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="azreynolds" user-id="3677307"/> YUM! I'm gluten-free but these days they make a wonderful gluten-free flour that replicates normal flour well in taste and bake-ability. My fave currently is lemon bars. What are olive oil cookies?? Big love and thanks!- Holly (team member). 
2. azreynolds Member
 <inline-mention username="Holly Harding" user-id="3755969"/> Olive oil cookies replace the butter with olive oil. They don't really taste any different than regular cookies. Search online. I've made oatmeal and chocolate chip. Check it out.
azreynolds Member
<inline-mention username="Nancy Harris Bonk" user-id="3845796"/> What a coincidence! I was just talking to my sister about her sourdough bread. She made it for years. I was told it would be good for dealing with my SIBO. I haven't made a starter yet, but most likely will tackle it next year. 
1. Tracy Hannigan, MOstMed, ACE-HC Moderator
 <inline-mention username="azreynolds" user-id="3677307"/> I am inspired by you/your sister and Nancy - I've never started the process though I wished I had during 2020 when I had the time (I understand it's time consuming!). If you do try it, come let us know if it helped with the SIBO! Warmly (like nice yummy bread!), Tracy (Team Member)
2. Tonya Henry Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="azreynolds" user-id="3677307"/> Wow!! In the medical world, it may not be good to have all kinds of health issues, but I can relate to you having SIBO!! I have gastroparesis and deal with SIBO flares on and off. I actually just finished a 1x weekly dose of 2 antibiotics for 6 months!! I am sorry to hear that is another one of your issues. I saw that someone said your sister's sourdough bread may be good for SIBO. That is interesting. Since you mentioned sourdough bread, have you ever made Amish Friendship bread? I have once and it turned out great for all the neighbors. I also wanted to mention that you may find more information on SIBO and all things related in the IBD group as many with those illnesses, often have SIBO as well. Here is the link for that: <a href='https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/?_sp=3db59cfc-8752-4367-9d29-70cbb97b7469.1731131657547' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/?_sp=3db59cfc-8752-4367-9d29-70cbb97b7469.1731131657547</a>. I would be interested in if the bread helps your SIBO. Again, thank you for being a part of the community. (Tonya, team member).
Sunriser Member
This is such a great post, thank you <inline-mention username="Holly Harding" user-id="3755969"/> I am also a crazy indoor plant mama, I have even managed to recently repot my orchid and cacti. I have grown Spider Plants too and I just love to look at all of them on my plant stand. I can't go out much due to pain and chronic fatigue, plus I discovered a tick in my garden during the summer and that's a no from me! I had Lyme disease which I suspect made the migraines a lot worse. I also love to cook, since I adopted the low histamine diet I can see a real improvement in the frequency and severity of the migraine attacks. I have right limb weakness so can't do any crafts or play the piano. I struggle with that but enjoy listening to music and watching good tv shows to pass the time. I've also found a great online community radio station and I love being part of that. I find it difficult to try and find meaning in the mundane... In real life I have only one friend now and it's good to make those connections online, it certainly helps me to feel less lonely and isolated. 
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Sunriser" user-id="6620443"/> Woohoo! A fellow plant mama! I love hearing about your plants! I'm trying to raise my first orchid (I was given one that was on its last legs to see if I could revive it - so I researched it and it's coming around but slowly). And I've never tried a spider plant - but I know they are good for providing oxygen inside the house. My favorite indoor plant is my Monstera. I just love it. I've had it three years and let it live on my screen porch in the summer and bring it in during the fall for the rest of the cold months. I didn't realize how much it had grown this summer. I love how my house looks like a jungle now. I'm afraid I've overdone it with 35 plants and counting! I don't fault you at all for being weary of ticks! They are awful things. What purpose do they possibly serve? I wonder about this regarding mosquitos as well. My best friend got lyme and it has really messed her up. I hear it can wreak havoc with those who have migraine. There are ticks everywhere where I live (in NC). I walk my dog on trails and she carries the ticks inside- then they jump off of her (because she is treated with tick preventive) and crawl onto me! It's a wonder I've not had lyme yet. It's a dangerous risk I'm taking. Thank you for sharing the ways that you find comfort in your life. I resonated with what you said about having a hard time finding meaning in the mundane. What a great statement. I think this has become only more true with age. Perhaps for those of us who struggle with chronic pain- it's harder to engage in that which has little meaning. Our rare well-time feels so precious. Your online community radio station sounds unique and engaging. And I agree- when in-person relationships can be challenging- seeking out connections with others online can be incredibly meaningful and fortifying. We really must curate our lives to find and make meaning and joy where we can find it. Managing chronic and complex pain conditions (of which it sounds you have more than one) makes us dig deep to find meaning and make connections. I've come to find that those who live with challenges are often the most deeply intriguing, reflective, and compassionate of others. I'm so pleased you're with us and looking forward to coming to know you more. Warmly - Holly (team member)
kateymac Member
 <inline-mention username="Holly Harding" user-id="3755969"/> I like this post, and this topic, Holly. I seem to have moved through various creative outlets over the years since the migraine became chronic & daily. Started with knitting, as it was the only thing I could think of at the time. I made dozens and dozens of plain, long scarves. I couldn’t focus on anything more involved. Later moved on to jewelry making. Bead stores were all the rage at the time. The focus & fun of working out interesting patterns really helped distract from the pain, even seemed to decrease it sometimes. Now, when I’m up for it, art of various types helps me get by. Painting, doodling, drawing, collage, sometimes gelli-prints. Like the jewelry, creating things really held distract me and, likely, releases pain-relieving endorphins because it’s fun. Often I use movies or tv, when I can tolerate it. What have I had to give up? I’ll keep it down to two. One is physical activity. I was very active, athletic, strong, and fit. I miss that terribly. Yoga was the only thing I still managed - for a while - but eventually that was also too difficult. My body seems to be falling apart, now, after 25 years of managing pain by staying still. The other, the biggest thing I’ve had to give up is spending time with PEOPLE. I miss my family and friends so much. I often like the solitude, as I’ve always needed some amount of it. But it’s also been my nature to get out, enjoy people & loud music & crowds, or even quiet visits that I often can’t manage. I try to nurture gratitude for all the time I DID have with such lovely people before I was sick. Some people never get that. But if you ask about loss - that’s the biggest. And it always hurts. Thanks for this topic and for everyone’s replies- so full of more ideas to try. Kate🌷
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="kateymac" user-id="3784217"/> Hi Darling Kate. I always appreciate hearing your insights and wisdom earned from many years navigating chronic migraine. I find your creativity to be inspiring (specifically your collage work and the books you create). You seem to have a way about you that finds art in all that surrounds you - and such a unique way to pull it together. I think collaging is fascinating in that way. If you gave the same art magazine to 10 people and asked them to create a few collages from its content, it would be wild to see the resulting variety. It reflects what's within, how we see the world, what resonates, etc. The connections you make are surprising and breathtaking, and I always love seeing what you've made. I'm not on social media often so haven't seen your painting, drawing, or jewelry making (if you've shared it- I'd love to see). I'm guessing it's equally beguiling. I completely agree with your point about the healing nature of these kinds of pursuits. Whether it be how they can distract us from the pain, or the endorphins they release- it seems at times we emerge with less pain than when we started. I also relate to your point about physical activity. We are working against the aging process (I think you and I are in a similar age range), but that doesn't hold a candle to the very tough degradation on the body that happens as a result of severe chronic pain. I can feel my body curling inward unconsciously while I'm awake and asleep. I've become less flexible and more rigid- my body is beginning to feel somewhat brittle. I majored in dance in college and remember all the time I spent stretching, warming up, and cooling down. At the time, my body was so flexible and well-conditioned that I frequently wondered what the point was of all that stretching. Now, I can barely move in those ways and have lost so much function. It's very upsetting to think about. I walk every day- and that feels important to maintain. Fresh air and movement (sometimes at a slow pace) help work against all the stillness. But, it's not enough to address all the pain. I've just pulled out my exercise ball and am trying to use it to stretch my rib cage and sternum back open again to work against all the curling up. It doesn't take much motion to trigger nausea so it's very tricky to find ways to do the minimum. Have you found any small ways to pursue body care in this way? And finally, yes. The social piece is huge. I like your inner work toward acceptance and gratitude both for what was and for solitude regarding your current life. It's also important to acknowledge what you are missing so that you are not in denial. Like the challenge of finding new ways to pursue exercise with a smaller footprint, I'm seeking to find ways to connect socially that work within the confines of chronic migraine. I've recently taken to exchanging voice text/recordings with people who are dear to me. It's a way to stay up to date - and to exchange support and information in small increments and on my terms (that I can choose when to listen and share). Chronic migraine changes/limits the way we move through the world - but hopefully we can find ways to still have impact, pursue our passions, take care of our bodies, and connect with others - just in different ways than we used to. Sending love and gratitude to you, as always. Thinking of you, too. Warmly - Holly (team member)