When it comes to preventing or stopping a migraine, the tiniest tweaks in your daily routine can make all the difference. Consider the following strategies for keeping the pain at bay:

On the road

Jot down the details. Creating an itinerary for your trip in advance will help alleviate migraine-inducing stress. Keep your hotel confi rmation numbers and the details of your travel arrangements handy.

Fill a pill organizer. This will help you avoid leaving important medications at home — and will make taking them regularly a no-brainer.

Be prepared. Pack a kit full of all the things you need — besides your medication — if a migraine sets in while you’re away. See the box on p. 20 for ideas on what to include!

Ask your doctor for a prescription motion sickness patch. If you’re heading to an amusement park or going on a cruise, wearing a small patch behind your ear will help you avoid motion sickness, a trigger for many migraine sufferers.

Catch enough zzzs. Stick to your usual sleep schedule as much as possible. Get plenty of sleep — but not too much, since that can also bring on a headache.

In the car

Wear sunglasses with polarized lenses. This will help cut down on glare, a classic trigger. Consider purchasing the wrap-around kind to reduce your overall exposure to bright light.

Keep the sunroof shut if bright lights bother you.

Check your rearview mirror’s light settings. You may be able to dial down the bright lights of a car approaching from behind by using the night setting of your rearview mirror.

Drink plenty of water on long trips, since even mild dehydration can bring on pain.

At night, dim the interior lights. If the contrast between the bright lights of the dashboard and the darkness bothers you, check your car’s owner’s manual to fi nd out if you can dim the lights.

Wash your windows. If your car’s mirrors and windshield are clean, they will distribute light better and cut down on glare.