Setting up the Migraine Life Bedroom

Set up your bedroom to be conducive to your migraine life. In other words, structure your life to fit your chronic condition rather than fighting against it. Do what you can - even small changes make a difference. The point is do do something that you feel is right for your migraine life.

I decided to put all neutrals in my bedroom and strip out any primary colors. When I go in my room it is cool and calming. My black out curtains block out ALL light when I need them to. I used to pretend that facing each new day meant throwing the curtains open to let the light fall in. Wrong. Often what that meant was a striking stab to my brain first thing in the morning. Why in God's name would I do that? I don't anymore.

Part of migraine life is learning to be as true to myself as possible. Sunshine may not be invited in this room, but my husband is of course, and my kids and our three cats, and they appreciate its peaceful vibe. One of the benefits of being authentic in your migraine life is that people who share your life get to also enjoy the serenity you've created.

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For this room we changed out the taupe carpet and wall color for a neutral white. Luckily, some thick, velvet draperies from Pottery Barn were already in place. I bought some inexpensive black out curtains from the Home Goods Store, slipped them up and into the lining of the existing curtains and secured them with safety pins. Now I had some serious black out curtains that no sun could penetrate. Heaven! (Be sure and have a good quality curtain rod that will hold your heavy curtains).

I splurged on Tencel fabric bedding from West Elm, which I love for it's cooling effect. When I wake up to take an Imitrex at 3AM, the coolness of the pillowcases give me hope and I can usually fall back asleep.

This room was never meant to be the primary bedroom. It was a large room the previous owner used as a gym. But what I saw was quiet, darkness, and a safe place for my fragile brain to sleep. Migraine life enhances your third eye for finding ways make the most of what is available.