The gift of YOU!

The holiday season is officially upon us!

While many are rejoicing, chronic migraine sufferers are likely hiding out in their dark bedrooms with their meds and a cool rag over their head.

Here's the question of the season - why do migraines (or any other chronic illness) tend to flare up during this time of year, the time of year where we so badly want to be out celebrating and not hiding inside in pain?

While there are many factors (food choices, weather changes, cold/flu season, etc.), it often boils down to one thing.

Stress.

Stress.  It gets us chronic sufferers every time.  We think we can make it and then, BAM, stress hits.  And with it, it brings the migraines, the retreating to quiet, to safety, to seclusion.

I know what you're thinking...stress is a factor of life.  How can you escape it??

As simple as the answer sounds, execution of it is anything but.

The solution - take time to take care of you.

I'm not just referring to taking your daily meds or popping your abortive medication.

I'm talking about ALL of you - the physical, the spiritual, and the psychological you.

Yes, my friends.  I said it.  The psychological you.

But how, you ask? How can you take care of the psychological you??

Stop.  Take a time out.  Make time for you.

Craft, bake, blog, read, soak in the tub, write, sing, pray, breathe.

This holiday season, don't forget to give yourself a gift - the gift of a time out.  Time to enjoy, time to think, time to relax, time to breathe, time for you.

Happy holidays!! May the Lord continue to watch over and bless you not only this time of year, but in the upcoming year (bring it on 2013!).