A Natural Alternative to Expensive Supplements!
Do you suffer from headaches or migraines? You’ve probably heard that it’s essential to stay hydrated. More recently, there has been an increasing awareness, along with a marketing surge, of the importance of maintaining electrolyte balance for hydration.
As with most nutritional advice, any information has to be personalised to the individual. For most people who follow a moderate exercise routine and lifestyle, maintaining awareness of basic fluid intake and a healthy diet is a good starting point. You can save your money on the supplements and invest in more Pilates accessories 😉
But if you are one of the 14% of the population who suffer from migraines, then maintaining a balanced electrolyte level can be a critical part of your management plan. The only issue is that many of the well-marketed solutions for electrolyte replacement contain some of the common triggers for migraine attacks. Finding more natural solutions is preferable.
The following Migraine Coconut Drink recipe is one I’ve adapted, and it’s become an absolute game-changer for my chronic migraine management. Now I know the sound of it will put many people off, but two important things to remember here:
- The flavourings do blend – experiment with just the right amount of juice to help find the right taste for you
- Determine how much you need relief – when my migraines were at their worst, taste was the last priority and drinking this regularly still helps keep things manageable.
Migraine Coconut Drink
250 ml coconut water (high levels of potassium)
1 scoop magnesium powder (I use orange-flavoured)
⅛ tsp of salt
1-2 Tbsp of lime juice (I LOVE lime juice, so I use a lot!)
Water to dilute to the required levels for taste
Optional: 1 scoop of orange collagen powder to balance sugar levels and add flavour.
If you have migraine, I challenge you to try this drink daily for 2 weeks and see if you notice a change in your symptoms and comment below.
Reformer Pilates For Migraine Management
Did you know that a healthy exercise routine is also an essential part of migraine management and can decrease both the intensity and frequency of your symptoms? Of course, when you are in the middle of a migraine flare, a movement class may not be appropriate. But the benefit of Reformer Pilates is that as your energy returns, you can match your body’s capabilities to the style of class you do.
When your energy is low or your symptoms are high (we call these ‘red days’), choose a very gentle breathing or Zen relaxation class. On orange days, you can select a mindful movement class (Connection Classes on our Freedom On Demand Studio) to challenge your body with awareness and control. And on those treasured “good days” (green days), you may want to choose a more energetic or strength-style class.
Let Us Help You
At Freedom On Demand, we have Health Professionals who can guide you to better movement and health. If you want to know more, reach out to our team at [email protected]
*The advice given above should not replace any medical advice. If you are on medications or have health conditions, please speak with your medical provider before taking any new supplements.