Recurring migraines can happen anytime including when you’re at the workplace. While a migraine could be so painful, you may not be able to just leave the office for such a reason. Some companies have health facilities to treat employees with health issues like migraine but others may even not have a clear policy on treating such conditions.
While leaving your work at the office may not be an option, dealing with a migraine attack would remain challenging even if you have a migraine device in your pocket. Check our tips for managing migraine attacks at work below.
Have a plan B for urgent attacks
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Being prepared for a migraine attack is the best way to avoid bad times in the workplace. You should have plan B for chances if you get urgent migraine attacks. The plan should include how you communicate your situation to your coworkers, who’d take over your work, and how you’d get back home if the migraine pain is unbearable. You may also have an emergency back up whether it’s your friend or family to pick you up if you can’t drive or take transportation on your own.
Always have your portable migraine devices
When you go to work, you should always bring your portable migraine device and other self-care supplies that can ease or relieve the pain due to a migraine attack. When it comes to a portable migraine device, it’s better if you leave the device in your suitcase or bag for work to ensure you won’t leave it. Some supplies you can get from migraine device are also very important to help soothe pain during a migraine attack including mineral water, essential oils, or medicines if you’re prescribed with ones. Ensure they’re accessible whenever you need immediate treatment on a migraine attack. This way, you can have a greater chance to recover or even finish the remaining working hours.
Take breaks at intervals
You can also take short breaks at intervals to prevent the sustained effects of migraine attacks on your body. Get some fresh air, walk around the office, stretch your body a little bit, or simply get up from your seat to refresh your position. These breaks also help you avoid stressful conditions that can worsen triggers of migraine attacks. If a leaving-desk break isn’t possible, you may turn your sight away from the computer screen for a while, close your eyes for a while or distract yourself with other tasks.
Talk to your boss
Talking to your boss would help them understand your position whenever you get a migraine attack. Besides, the boss or team manager should be told if you can no longer do your responsibilities and need other employees to take over. With your upfront communication, the boss can use his/her discretion not only to manage tasks for the rest of the team but also to fulfill your rights as an employee for proper treatment or accommodation. Whenever you can’t have full understanding of your coworkers regarding your migraine issues, the boss or manager would use his/her authority and discretion for the best solution.
Avoid bright light
The bright light can worsen migraine triggers that make the pain even more unbearable. Whenever possible, use warm light for your desk and or use specifically designed light covers to reduce the bright. If you have to view the computer screen, use eyeglasses with glare and blue light filters, or simply use a screen filter. This way, you can prevent the migraine attack overwhelming your body and continue your work.
Conclusion
Managing migraines at work could be more effective if you can elaborate on those solutions. Not only do you need to bring your portable migraine device all the time to soothe the pain but you should be prepared for the worst possibilities where you can’t recover from the attack and have to leave the office. When leaving the workplace isn’t possible, you’d need to avoid bright light and take breaks with intervals to hold back migraine triggers from developing further. If you have to leave office, ensure you talk with your coworkers and/or boss in advance.