Counting Backwards To Relaxation

I'm prone to migraines and sometimes the only thing that really helps me to combat them is to lay down, put an ice pack directly on the spot that seems to be hurting the most, and tuning every thing out and make myself relax.  I'm lucky that my kids are older and have no problems keeping themselves entertained quietly with their iPods.  My husband is great about it, too, and encourages me to stop trying to work through the pain and to lay down and relax to help it pass.  

I'd like to say that just relaxing will get rid of my migraines, but nothing really touches them except for prescription meds, which sometimes comes with side effects that makes me wish I hadn't bothered taking them.  The same pill will affect me differently each time, so I have idea if it will bother me or not.  I take them when I need to and hope for the best.

Counting backwards is a way I've found that I can force myself to relax.  I'm very scatterbrained and my mind goes in every direction constantly, and forcing myself to count backwards takes real, concentrated effort for me.  It actually sounds like it's not relaxing if it takes so much effort, but it really is.  It takes me a while to actually count from 99 to 0, but usually by the time I get there, I'm feeling better.  

I woke up with a migraine today and tried to take care of it more conventionally with OTC meds, an ice pack, heating pad, and eating something good and filling.  Nothing was working and I was even getting an upset stomach, possibly from stressing about it, so I decided to take the stronger meds, lay back in the recliner with the ice pack on my forehead, and the heating pad on my belly.  Once I got comfortable, I started counting to myself in my mind and this is some of what it's like for me:

99

98

97

96

95, this ice pack isn't as cold as it could be.  I didn't have it in the freezer long between uses.  I have that extra rice in the cupboard, I should make several of these so I can switch them out and always have a cold one.  I like this shape, like a horseshoe, and it will be easy to copy to make more. STOP.

94

93

92

91

90

89

88

87

86, 1986.  Our 30 year high school reunion is this year and I don't think there have been any concrete plans made for it yet.  I haven't been to a reunion since our 10th and had really wanted to go for our 25th but didn't then wished I had after seeing all the pics that were posted.  I want to make sure some of my old friends will be there so I need to make sure they... STOP.

85

84

83

82, I need to change the cat litter today.  And what was Widebutt wanting earlier? She usually only bites my ankles and tries to trip me when their food is empty, but it was fine.  Maybe she wants her litter changed, too.  STOP.

81

80

79

78

77

76

75, I would love to start hosting a monthly if family dinner and have all the kids and grandkids come out once a month to eat and visit.  Everyone is so busy, I don't know I'd they'd even be interested, then I'll be so disappointed if none of them want to come out, and what if I wake up with a killer migraine on the day we are supposed to do it, I'd still want to do it but I'd also be miserable.  STOP

74

And on and on like this until I finally get to zero.  It takes a lot of effort for me to not let my mind wander and worry about things that don't even need worrying about.

Do you have any tips or tricks you use to help you relax?  Please share them in the comments below.  I'd love to try out some new ideas.

I like to have pics in my posts but nobody would want to see me kicked back in my recliner with an ice pack and heating pad!  So, here is a stock image of a 99 to 0 chart to keep you entertained. 😉

Also, I'm usually very good with my grammar, but look at the first paragraph and tell me if lay is the right word.  I'm thinking maybe it should be lie, but the more I say them the dumber they both sound.  Grammar nazis, help me out!