If you are someone who suffers from migraines, welcome. As for the rest of you, we hate you. Just kidding! Seriously though, consider yourself extremely lucky if you’ve never experienced the spawn of Satan vigorously crucifying your brain for hours or even days. First and foremost, the obvious thing to do if you start noticing recurring headaches or migraines is to speak with your doctor regarding possible causes, triggers, symptoms and treatment options. No matter what your situation is though, there are some things that you can do at home to help ease that never-ending jackhammer in your head.

Now, I’ve been suffering from migraines for about 7 years now, and I’ve tried everything from prescription medications to acupuncture. Personally, the acupuncture seemed to have the biggest impact on the frequency of my migraines; they have noticeably decreased. Just remember that everyone is different, and what worked for me may not work for you (and vice versa). So again, speak with your doctor! I do, however, still get migraines every now and then, and when I do, it is wildly unbearable as if Satan himself is uncontrollably stabbing my brain with his blade. With that said, I wanted to share some home remedies and products to have handy just in case an unspeakably raging migraine decides to sneak up on you.

Sometimes ice helps, sometimes heat helps, and sometimes you need both. It all just depends on the type of migraine you have. So, one thing I recommend having on hand is a heating and cooling Gel Eye Mask. You can find one of these bad boys on Amazon for as cheap as $9. 

Gel Eye Mask for Sleeping, 2 Pack – Reusable Hot and Cold Compress – Gel Bead Therapy for Migraine, Sleep, Puffy Eyes, Headache Relief – Ice Pack or Heat Pack – by ComfiPak — $8.99

Anytime I feel a migraine coming on I immediately grab the eye mask from the freezer, and put it on my eyes and forehead. This helps a lot. I only keep it on for about 15-20 minutes or until I start to feel some numbness, since I want to avoid any damage to my skin. Depending on the severity of the migraine, I’ll repeat this process every 15-20 minutes for about an hour. Unfortunately, I can’t promise this will make the migraine completely go away, because that’s simply just not the case for me. But it should definitely relieve some of the pain. You might also benefit from having an ice neck wrap to put around your neck, as this helps reduce inflammation in the brain. This Heating and Cooling Neck Wrap on Amazon is just $12 and has both heating and cooling properties. 

Carex Bed Buddy Heat Pad and Cooling Neck Wrap – Microwave Heating Pad for Sore Muscles – Cold Wrap Pack for Aches and Pain — $11.99

Last but not least, I recommend having some sort of heating pad that you only use for the purpose of heating. For example, if you have a heating and cooling neck wrap that you keep in the freezer, you’re going to need another one to heat up. So, I recommend either a heating pad or a microwavable heating neck wrap. Personally, I have both, but I prefer my neck wrap.

I have the Sharper Image Microwavable Aromatherapy Neck Wrap, which is only $18 on Amazon. It is infused with an herbal blend to aid with relaxation during your hellish battle with the diabolical migraine. I absolutely, without a doubt, highly recommend this product. It stays warm longer than other neck wraps I’ve used in the past, it covers both your neck and your shoulders, and it gives off a pleasant and relaxing aroma while you wear it. I almost always wrap the whole thing completely around my head. I. Love. It. 

SHARPER IMAGE Warm & Cooling Herbal Aromatherapy Neck & Shoulder Plush Wrap Pad for Soothing Muscle Pain and Tension Relief Therapy, 100% Natural Lavender & Herb Spa Blend, Use in Microwave or Freezer — $19.99

July 2021 UPDATE:

I mentioned earlier that I had done acupuncture before, so it only made sense that I try out the Aculief acupressure clip to see if it really works. If you’ve never heard of this product before, let me fill you in. The Aculief clip is designed to be worn on your hand and to apply pressure to your LI4 pressure point located between your thumb and index finger. The LI4 pressure point is a very powerful point on your body and can be targeted to relieve head and neck pain. At first, I was a little skeptical about this product, mainly because I didn’t want to get my hopes up for something that might not work at all. Honestly, the reviews aren’t great!

It was a 50/50 shot, but given the severity of my migraines, I decided to go for it. The clip itself is very small and compact, which makes it easy to carry around with you anywhere you go. Since I rarely leave my purse behind, I tend to keep it with me at all times. This is a good thing, because the first time I needed to use it, I was standing in an hour-long line for a ride at Disney World. I could feel a headache coming on and the day had just begun, so I knew I needed to act fast. I put the clip on and within minutes I felt some relief. Whether it was a placebo effect or not, I don’t really care because either way, it worked. The great thing about this product is that no matter where you are, it’s easy to slip on, and it is a lot more inconspicuous to wear than any of the other products I’ve mentioned. Just like with everything else, I can’t say that it will completely take away all your pain, but it helped relieve some of mine and just might do the same for you. It really does depend on the person, but if your migraines are as bad as mine are, then you know that even the slightest ounce of relief from the drilling devil in your head goes a long way. I mean really, what do you have to lose here?

Aculief – Award Winning Natural Headache, Migraine, Tension Relief Wearable, $19.99

It is only fitting that I saved the best till last, so hopefully I haven’t completely lost your interest yet. This last product, the Acurelief headache hat, is the latest addition to my “migraine relief collection” and has easily become my personal new favorite. The headache hat is simply just one big ice pack made to wear on your head. The material is soft as all get out, making it comfortable to wear while in serious discomfort. I had seen it on TikTok (who is surprised?) and received it shortly thereafter as a birthday gift. It became by far one of the best gifts I’ve ever received. I was so excited about it that I almost wanted to get a migraine just so I could use it. When the time inevitably came to wear it, all my expectations were exceeded. It worked so well that I even managed to fall asleep in it. I’m struggling to find the words to describe how much I love this hat, so I hope you know that I mean business when I tell you to get it. 

Aculief Headache & Migraine Relief Hat, $29.99

Overall, whether you’re a victim yourself, or you have a loved one who is, I think we can all agree that migraines are downright miserable. My experience differs every time one strikes, but these products have definitely made my life easier. You should definitely have them around if you suffer from chronic migraines.