context: Migraine is an actual condition and headaches are symptoms of that disorder. If you get migraine headaches, you know all about how tough they can be to get through. Not knowing when one will strike can make it worse. Some things around you can trigger a migraine. You can control a lot of them. Sitting in front of your laptop or desktop for a long time can trigger migraine and tension-type headaches. This is especially true if you have a low-resolution monitor. They put more strain on your eyes. You can: Put a glare screen over your monitor. Make sure no reflection from the sun hits the screen. Use a bigger font size. Good posture is important, too. It'll ease stress on your head, neck, and shoulders. Don't forget to get away from your computer for a few minutes every hour, too. Sensitivity to light is called photophobia. Fluorescent lights or flickering lights can bring it on. A slow flicker, in particular, can irritate your brain cells. When you're outside, sunlight reflecting off snow or water or suddenly breaking through clouds can also start a migraine. Sunglasses with polarized lenses can help dim the glare. The day-to-day stuff is more likely to bring on a migraine than stress caused by something sudden or life-changing. You can help avoid this if you: Eat healthy Exercise Get enough sleep Practice relaxation exercises, like yoga, or tai chi Staying out of stressful situations also can help. For example, if driving to work puts you under pressure, consider the bus or subway. That'll also let you relax by reading or listening to music. A loud or bothersome sound can bring on a migraine. It can often add to your stress level. Certain patterns of noise also can be a trigger. If you know you're going to be where loud sounds are common, wear earplugs. You could also listen to calming music or sounds with earbuds. What you eat could cause headaches. Some common culprits liked to migraine headaches include MSG and alcohol, especially: Chinese food Red wine If you think what you eat and drink may be the cause of your headaches, keep a food diary to track what you've eaten before a migraine hits. Then, see if staying away from those foods or drinks helps. It's important to know that migraine headaches can also come if you: Skip meals Eat unhealthy snacks instead of a meal Don't drink enough fluids Stop drinking coffee abruptly (withdrawal) Eat small, healthy snacks, and make sure you get enough water. Changes in humidity, temperature, or barometric pressure are among the most common weather-related triggers. They can cause chemical changes in the body that can bring a migraine. Extreme cold, high winds, and storms also can bring them on or make them worse. Changes in pressure, such as what happens when you're flying or deep-sea diving, can also bring migraine headaches. Spending a lot of time above sea level can cause them, too. The nicotine in cigarettes affects your brain. That can lead to lower brain activity and some pain. Breathing in secondhand smoke can have the same effect. If you smoke, quit. Even if you don't, stay away from smoky areas. It's good for your overall health, and it may ease your headaches, too. Migraine headaches can sometimes happen when you get out of your normal routine, like if you: Are away from the structure of work and everyday life, even if it's for a vacation Drink more or less coffee or tea than usual Get too much or too little sleep