Snow and Hope

Our kids are out of school for a snow day today. It’s the first all year, and I don’t think we had even one last year. I wonder why a snow day makes me feel so hopeful?

   Maybe it's something visual - take a look at the view off my icy deck.   

Snow is not as much fun as it was when I was a kid. I still have to worry about getting my work done to earn a living. I have to cope with clearing it off the walks and driveway. I have to cope with driving in it.  But I have always loved snow, and I still do, despite all the adult hassles it brings. Especially when it’s a novelty. I love waking up in the muted bluish light of a snowy morning, from the deep soft sleep the snow always brings. It must be the extra negative ions that make me sleep so well. But rational explanations aside, it just feels like snow magic.

One snowfall does not herald the end of global warming, but it makes the winter feel right, instead of off. If it’s going to be cold, it might as well snow. My overburdened migraine mind appreciates the peace and quiet, the way the day is simplified. (Shovel, cancel appointments, shovel, get warm, take kid to sledding hill, throw snowballs at dog.) I like the exercise of the shoveling. A good workout. I didn’t get enough sleep and may need a nap to ward off a migraine – lack of sleep is one of my surest triggers. But I know I’ll nap well on a snowy day!

I notice that the aches and pains index on weather.com seems to be low when it's snowing.  Barometric pressure changes trigger migraines for many of us - so I wonder if the pressure is very steady while it's snowing. I remember learning in Earth Science in high school that low pressure makes us hurt - because the pressure inside our bodies isn't balanced by the pressure outside!  Are snowy days high pressure days?  Any meteorologists out there want to chime in?

Here is the big yellow doofus in the big white snow. Isn’t she cute?

Wherever you are, whatever your weather, I hope it’s treating you well.

- Megan

How can I do serious work on a snow day?

Comments

[J]

Someone forwarded me an article on migraines through which I found a link to your blog. I sympathize as I suffered for 7 years with migraines. My friend sent me the article in error though, as I no longer suffer from them. Sure, the occasional headache, but not the debilitating, stabbing pain that came 3-4x/week, always with rain, and after eating onions and canteloupe. After 7 years of increasing intensity and frequency, and trying a bunch of stuff from acupunture/vitamins/cranial sacral therapy I finally walked into an alternative practitioner's office in SF as my last resort before heading for major drugs at a headache clinic. Anyway, he concluded I prob picked up some microogranisms on my travels, gave me some high quality over the counter digestive enzymes, and in two weeks my migraines disappeared, along with muscle spasms I'd been taking drugs for, lack of alertness, and recurring sinus infections. Six months later the trigger effect of specific foods disappeared. I've found other migraine sufferers resistant to the idea that this could be a possibility with them so I'll not push my particular experience and just say I hope you gain some relief and that my experience might help you try some untested avenues that will bring you relief. Good luck and don't give up hope--it's been nearly a year without a migraine for me!

[Megan Oltman]

Thanks for the comment, J. I have tried digestive enzymes and eliminating foods, and for me, they were great for my digestion, energy levels, and sinus problems, but didn't impact my migraines. I have also had migraine-free stretches, sometimes years long. I'm glad you've had such good results and it's certainly worth others giving a try. We have to remember, though, that we are each very different in what triggers us and what helps, and there's no cure-all for everyone.

[Sandy Rees]

Oooh, I'm so jealous of your snow! I have flurries outside my window, but that's about all I'll get today. I can so relate to how still and peaceful everything seems when it's covered in snow. It sure helps quite MY busy mind!