In your bedroom:
Hang thick curtains. Your bedroom can be an ideal migraine retreat. Thick or black-out curtains will keep the room dark and cool, and can even help dampen outside sounds.
Consider a humidifier or dehumidifier. Aim for a continuous 35 percent to 50 percent humidity inside. That means a humidifier in winter and a dehumidifier in summer. A normal humidity level has been shown to reduce the likelihood of getting sick.
Get an air purifier. Dust and dander can be a migraine trigger for some. Find a free-standing air purifier for as little as $40 in home improvement stores. Change the filter in your furnace, too, and have your vents and ducts cleaned professionally once every three to five years.
In the kitchen:
Turn off the light in your fridge. You still need to eat when you have a migraine. But the fridge light can make the pain worse. Remove the lightbulb and keep a small flashlight handy. The smaller light beam will help you find food without triggering migraine pain.
Stop drawers from slamming. Any noise can send a bolt of pain through your head when you have a migraine. Buy rubber drawer stoppers (or make your own by cutting up pencil erasers) at a hardware store. Attach them to the inside of drawers of cabinet doors to muffle the noise made when they close.
In the rest of the house:
Decorate carefully. Paints and carpets that contain volatile organic compounds can start or worsen a migraine. The compounds get released into the air over time and can lead to irritation and inflammation in your body. Look for VOC-free paints (Benjamin Moore Natura or Low & Zero) and find green label rated carpets.
Change lightbulbs. Low-watt incandescent bulbs produce a warm, steady stream of light that’s less likely to kick-start a migraine than the bright, flickering caused by halogen or fluorescent bulbs.
Seal windows and doors. A sudden shift in temperature—like the kind caused by a drafty window—can spark a migraine. Close drafts (think caulk, draft guards and insulation) to keep the temperature steady. Bonus: You’ll lower your heating and cooling bills.