Managing day-to-day life

Working with migraines

Working with migraines can be challenging. It’s important to communicate with your employer. Think about what you feel comfortable doing at work:

• Do you need to work full time?
• Could part-time working be a better fit than full time?
• What might help you work better?

The workplace can have many triggers for migraine:

• Bright or fluorescent lights
• Loud noises
• Shift work or working irregular hours (this may affect sleep, which may be a trigger)
• Strong odours including perfume, candles, or air fresheners

Consider asking about changes that your employer may be able to make to help you do your best work. For example, employers can switch lighting types, or have policies to limit the use of perfumes and colognes in the office. They may also be able to organise more flexible working arrangements.

Migraine and your relationships

Living with migraine can impact on every relationship in your life, having an influence on everything from interpersonal dynamics to your psychological health and well-being and even financial stability.² That is why it is so important to share how your migraines affect you with those around you so that everyone can know what to expect and how they can help.³

Although managing migraine on your own terms is important, knowing you’re not alone in the challenges it presents can help.  In a recent study 43.9% of individuals with chronic migraine in a romantic relationship indicated that headaches had an adverse impact on their current relationship and 37% of those not in a current relationship had indicated that headaches had impacted their ability to establish and/or maintain a relationship.²

If you’re unsure about how to talk to someone or need help and support then The Migraine Trust may be a good alternative. Their helpline is open 10.00 am – 4.00 pm. Monday to Friday, (details on https://migrainetrust.org/ or call free on 0808 802 0066).