Letdown Headaches: What They Are & How To Manage, From An MD

According to family medicine doctor and headache specialist Susan Hutchinson, M.D., a "letdown" headache describes migraines that occur as a reaction to a change in routine. 

"One thing we know about migraine patients is that we like routine," Hutchinson says, as a migraine sufferer herself. "But that doesn't always happen in our world." 

Amid the pandemic, drastic changes in daily routines and disrupted sleep triggered this cause of headaches in many of Hutchinson's patients. Financial struggles, adapting to working from home with distractions, and the general uncertainty of the world are all causes for stress, which can further exacerbate these "letdown" headaches. 

Pandemic aside, "letdown" headaches tend to affect people on the weekends when sleeping and eating routines may differ from on a typical weekday. 

While there is no cure for migraines, there are helpful management techniques that may help keep them at bay. To avoid "letdown" headaches, in particular, make and stick to routines throughout the day. 

This four-step morning routine from two registered dietitians promotes hydration, gut health, and stress management. Since an unhealthy gut may lead to migraines, this particular routine provides a second layer of support. 

Establishing a midday ritual, to give your brain and eyes a break from the computer screen, is also a good idea. Whether you're going out for a quick walk, taking time to de-stress, or making yourself a soothing cup of tea, be sure you partake in afternoon practice at or around the same time each day. 

Sticking to a bedtime is not just for children. Sleep is essential for brain health and the management of headaches, so getting into bed and falling asleep at a specific hour each night can go a long way in managing pain.