Migraine is one of the most common neurological disorders worldwide. It affects more than 1 billion people and can significantly impact daily life routines. If you are a 40-year-old stay-at-home mom with 4 kids and chronic illness, migraines can be particularly debilitating. Migraines are characterized by severe headache, nausea, and light/sound sensitivity. The throbbing pain can last for hours to days, making it hard to perform daily activities. However, there are ways to cope with migraines. One such approach is the Alarm Method by Jennie Potter in her book Self Sabotage No More.
The Alarm Method is a five-step process that aims to raise awareness of migraines and help sufferers cope with them. The five steps are Awareness, Location, Ask, Release, and Mantra. Let us discuss each step in detail.
First, Awareness involves recognizing the very first signs of migraines. Keep a diary of your migraines and note the triggers (such as stress, hormonal changes, or food). By being aware of the triggers, you can take steps to avoid them or limit their effect.
Second, Location involves noticing the location of the pain in your body and just pay attention to it with curiosity.
Third, Ask entails questioning when you have felt this before and what were you thinking about or doing when it first started.
Fourth, Release involves breathing in and relaxing into the location of the pain and tension along with the action of moving your right hand down your left arm from the shoulder to your hand and the same on the opposite side.
Fifth, Mantra entails visualizing and stating how you want to feel and moving that feeling in using the same action with your hands/arms as in the Release step. You can repeat positive statements to yourself such as "I am strong enough to overcome this" or "I am in control of my body and mind." Such affirmations can help you overcome negative thoughts and feelings associated with migraines.
Migraines can be challenging to cope with, especially for stay-at-home moms with chronic illness and multiple children. However, by using the Alarm Method by Jennie Potter, you can take a more proactive approach to managing your migraines. The five-step approach emphasizes awareness, location, ask, release, and mantra, which can help you cope with migraines more effectively. Remember, managing migraines is a personal journey, and what works for one person may not work for another. However, it is essential to maintain a positive attitude and never give up hope. With the right tools, support system, and self-care practices, you can start reducing the impact of migraines on your daily life and live your best life.
For those who suffer from migraines, the pain can be overwhelming. But we have the potential to break free from that pain and reclaim our lives. It’s a journey, to be sure, but one that’s worth taking. So let’s get started. Join the encouraging Facebook community of moms who are going from Debilitated to Liberated! Click Here
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