Spring in the Midwest is a strange kind of beautiful—and for me, it also brings a familiar set of spring migraine triggers. The light gets softer. The air shifts. You can feel something waking up again.
And then… the storms roll in.
There’s nothing more peaceful, while inside, than watching a spring storm.
A warm drink, a quiet room, rain against the windows—it’s relaxing.
Unless you dread it like me, especially when spring migraine triggers are at their peak.
Then that same storm?
Not your friend.
I’ve had migraines for most of my life, and spring is when they tend to show up the most. I don’t get auras, so I don’t get a warning.
When it hits fully, it hits—light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, and a sense of smell that could probably qualify me to be the star on a search and rescue team.
Everything intensifies.
Louder. Brighter. Stronger.
Even things that shouldn’t be.
🌧️ My Personal Spring Migraine Triggers
I don’t know if everyone has the same ones, but these are the typical triggers that cause my migraines in spring.
- Rain or that “about to rain” feeling in the air
- Aspartame
- Extremely strong smells (this one is immediate)
- Garlic (which feels unfair, honestly)
- Food brines
- Fresh paint
- Extreme loud noise
These spring migraine triggers aren’t always predictable, but I’ve learned to recognize them when they show up.
Some of them are easy to avoid.
Some… not so much.
You can’t exactly ask the sky to hold off.
People get to choose their own colognes and fragrances.
Some folks think a whole lot of garlic is a good thing.
However, during spring migraine season, what must be my inner vampire… disagrees.
🧊 The Reality of It
Migraine days aren’t productive days. They’re “close the curtains and try to exist quietly” days. Over time, you learn your little survival tools. I do have a prescription, and sometimes I’ll try over-the-counter options. I’ve even explored things in the gummy family… but that just wasn’t my thing. So most days? I grab an ice pack and ride it out. I have what I like to call a designer collection of ice packs.
Different shapes. Different sizes. Options. I’ve got scalp massagers, quiet routines, and a deep respect for a dark room. Dealing with migraine triggers during spring sometimes means just relying on these routines for comfort.
You don’t fight through it.
You move with it.
🌿 A Gentle Thought
Spring is still beautiful to me. Even with all of this. Because I’ve learned to take it in pieces—the calm before the storm, the quiet after, the small moments in between. Interestingly, spring migraine triggers can make the season challenging, yet I find beauty in moments of relief. Some seasons don’t arrive gently. But that doesn’t mean they don’t bring something good with them. Even with these spring migraine triggers, I’ve learned to take the season in pieces.
dragonflies & honey
simple goods for the spirit.
