Let’s be honest: no one wants to deal with migraines; they’re painful, time-consuming, and a general hindrance.

Many people live with this chronic condition, and sometimes get to the point where they’re prescribed medication by their doctor, or undergo procedures such as Botox to deal with the severity of the discomfort and pain.

There are, however, other less expensive and less invasive options for you to try that may help to prevent and manage your painful migraines.

Migraines are the 3rd most prevalent illnesses in the world. Unfortunately—as with anything—there are still aspects of them that we don’t yet fully understand, and each individual may experience them for different reasons. They may also react differently to available treatments, which makes it more difficult to nail down proper solutions.

Sometimes the simple options can be the most effective, and here we’re looking at some easy ways in which you can potentially prevent and manage your migraines.

1. Stay hydrated

Possibly the most important tips overall are not just for managing migraines but finding ways to prevent them. Making sure that your body is healthy and hydrated is allegedly an efficient way to prevent migraines and smaller headaches, and to keep you alert and ready for the day ahead. A lack of hydration may lead to things like tiredness and migraines, assuming you let it get too far. Carry a water bottle around with you to stay on top of the amount of water that you’re drinking.

2. Less screen time

Those who suffer from chronic migraines often use varying techniques, medications, and procedures to stop them altogether. However, there are smaller things you can do that may help to manage the frequency of your migraines. These days, we spend so much time staring at our devices, and this could cause eye strain and neck tension which may lead to migraines. In an effort to prevent this, you could consider limiting your screen time and making sure to give yourself a break from work, study, or whatever else it is that’s making you look at a screen for too long. If you feel that you’re about to have a headache or a migraine, consider stepping away from your screen and either finding a dark area or taking in some fresh air.

3. Caffeine

It is often said that consuming a caffeinated drink in small amounts may help to relieve migraine pain. This is allegedly most effective in the early stages, perhaps just as you feel the pain increasing. It might also help to enhance any pain-reducing solutions, such as aspirin. Make sure that you are not drinking too much, as having caffeine in large amounts too often can lead to withdrawal headaches down the line. Having caffeine too late in the day can also mess with your sleep cycle, so be aware of when and how much caffeine you’re consuming.

4. Turn off the lights

When you feel a migraine coming on, it might help to find yourself a dark area or to turn off the lights. Migraines could potentially worsen light sensitivity, and when you can’t stop one in its tracks, it’s important that you make yourself as comfortable and relaxed as possible. Lying down in a dark room may help to alleviate any tension in your eyes, head, neck or body.

5. Manage your stress

The American Institute of Stress states that high levels of stress can contribute to having headaches and migraines. You might find that you can’t help the stresses of day-to-day life, but there are some things that might help to keep them under control. Take it upon yourself to look into time management solutions, or to try something new such as yoga or meditation in an effort to manage the intensity of your everyday stress. Take breaks when you need them; whether you’re at work, studying, or raising children, you’re always likely to benefit from taking small breaks for yourself throughout the day—assuming you have the time.

Migraines can be debilitating, and may even stop you from going about your day the way you need to. They can affect your work life, school life, and personal life too. There are medications available and procedures that you can undergo to help you to fight against migraines. There are also small things that you can do daily to help manage the severity of your migraines, to help get you through the day.

Remember to try to stay hydrated, take breaks when you need them, drink measured amounts of caffeine, and decrease your screen time to potentially help keep migraines and headaches at bay. It’s essential to seek medical advice to find the solutions that will work best for you and to speak to your doctor if your migraines persist.