Benefiting at work from Brain Based Insights

Over one-third of women have reported that they face greater obstacles at work due to migraines than male sufferers, according to The National Headache Foundation.

The foundation also suggests preventative strategies to stop migraines from interfering with your work and career.

Headache victims often tell you the workplace is often unsympathetic to migraine sufferers. Do you agree?

Out of more than 3,000 migraine sufferers, the Foundation found that:

• 90% have experienced a migraine at work
• 82% said migraines made it difficult for them to work or to interact with colleagues

Most migraine sufferers are forced to miss work occasionally. They estimated that at least 150 million workdays are lost each year due to headaches.

Interestingly, “most people who suffer migraines are aged between 25 and 55, the peak working years. In addition to listening to your doctor’s recommendations and taking prescribed drugs they suggest several helpful office strategies:

1. Try to make sure you work in a comfortable environment: one that’s ergonomic and friendly to a migraineur
2. Check the office for triggers: for instance, does it have fluorescent lighting? Sit by a window if possible. Ask for a non-glare computer screen.
3. Don’t sit for hours in front of the computer screen: get up and walk around
4. If using a headset triggers your migraines, look for alternatives such as using speaker phone somewhere that won’t disturb your colleagues
5. Ask for a work station free of airborne irritants, such as someone else’s perfume
6. Use ear plugs if your workplace is noisy
7. Learn relaxation techniques for stressful situations

8. Take advantage of flexi-time if possible
9. Save easy tasks for “migraine days”
10. Volunteer for extra work or help out a colleague when you feel well

In addition to the national Headache Foundation’s suggestions, I’d like to add that you also do one special thing for you ... which includes ... enjoy your favorite food, walk along a creek at noon, think about or do one favorite pass-time or talk to a close friend during your break, and LAUGH. Humor helps just about everything to do with your brain and your career!  

To do what we enjoy most ... changes the hormones in the brain and that can trigger a the attention your brain needs and may not always get in an unsympathetic workplace. What do you do to prevent or heal headaches?