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Osnaživanje, stil i inspiracija spajaju se u svakom izdanju našeg magazina.
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December 2, 2025
If you’re a working woman, your chances of having migraines are three times higher. First, simply because you’re a woman — migraine prevalence in women is twice as high as in men. And second, because you’re juggling endless responsibilities, living under constant stress, and your lifestyle is anything but orderly — because how could it be? All of this creates perfect conditions, research shows, for migraines to become your unwelcome long-term companion.
A migraine is a neuromuscular disorder that causes recurring, intense headache attacks, most often pulsating and usually on one side of the head, though it can affect both sides. It’s not just a headache — it’s a complex neurological condition affecting the nervous system, blood vessels, and brain chemistry. Migraine attacks last anywhere from a few hours to three days and are often linked to fluctuations in estrogen levels. They typically present as a throbbing pain that worsens with physical activity, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Many people also experience aura symptoms such as flashes of light, zigzag lines in their vision, numbness, or speech difficulties.
Migraines occur due to temporary dysfunction of brain networks that regulate pain, blood vessels, sensory signals, and stress hormones. This leads to increased brain sensitivity and an exaggerated response to triggers such as stress, hormonal changes, lack of sleep, skipped meals, bright lights, strenuous physical activity, or weather changes.
In women, migraines are most often tied to hormonal fluctuations — changes in estrogen and progesterone during menstruation, ovulation, pregnancy, and perimenopause. Beyond hormones, chronic stress, overload, and a fast-paced lifestyle are some of the most common migraine triggers. Poor sleep or irregular sleep patterns also contribute, as the brain becomes more reactive when it’s not well-rested. An imbalanced diet, skipping meals, dehydration, excessive caffeine, and stimulants further increase the risk. Sounds familiar? That’s exactly why working women are particularly sensitive to migraines.
The answer most people don’t want to hear is that lifestyle changes — alongside medication — are the only truly effective approach. Migraines can be eased through a combination of healthy habits, avoiding triggers, and targeted practices that calm the nervous system and stabilize hormones. The most important step is sleep regulation: insufficient sleep or frequent nighttime awakenings heighten brain sensitivity and make attacks more frequent and intense. Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, with at least seven hours of sleep, should be a priority.
Your diet matters too: no skipping meals, and aim for protein-rich, balanced meals. Since stress is one of the strongest triggers, techniques like slow breathing, gentle walks, meditation, stretching, and short breaks during the day can help reduce attack frequency. It’s also important to avoid bright lights, loud noise, sudden temperature changes, and strong scents if you notice they provoke symptoms. Keeping a migraine diary can help identify personal triggers and plan prevention strategies. If attacks become frequent, severe, or progressively worse, a neurologist can recommend preventive therapies that significantly reduce both frequency and intensity.
If a migraine strikes while you’re at work, the key is to react quickly — before the attack fully escalates. Move away from noise and bright light immediately. If your workplace has a quiet, dim room, take a short break there. If not, close your eyes, dim your screen, and turn your head away from direct light. A cold compress on your forehead or the back of your neck — even a chilled water bottle or a damp paper towel — can bring quick relief.
If you use migraine medication, take it as soon as you notice early warning signs: visual sparkles, pressure in your temples, nausea, or sound sensitivity. The earlier you act, the milder the attack will likely be. If you don’t have prescribed medication and your migraines recur, it’s worth discussing treatment options with your doctor.
Limit screen use during an attack: close unnecessary tabs, reduce contrast, and step back from the monitor. Even a few minutes of slow, deep breathing can ease neck and shoulder tension, which often worsens the pain. Drink at least a glass of water — dehydration is a common trigger, especially in heated office spaces.
If you know your triggers — strong perfumes, fluorescent lights, skipped meals, or deadline-related stress — try to reduce them or step away temporarily. And if the migraine becomes severe, completely disables you, or keeps worsening despite your efforts, you won’t be able to function normally. A migraine is not “just a headache” and it’s not a sign of weakness. It’s entirely reasonable to take the rest of the day off, go home, and recover in a dark, quiet room.
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