Anxiety: Similar to stress, the overwhelming feeling of anxiety might be the root of your migraines. Anxiety can range from occasional anxiety (like due to anxiety-causing events) to an anxiety disorder (when anxiety doesn’t go away and worsens over time).

Hormones: Women are more likely to get chronic migraines (15 days a month or more) — and that’s likely linked to hormones. Up to 19% of women get menstrual migraines (up to 2 days before your menstrual cycle and 3 days after), and 60% of these women get migraines at other times of the month, as well.

Not Enough (or Too Much) Sleep: Sleep is one of the most important aspects of your health, and not getting the right amount can lead to migraines. Too much, too little, or a lack of a consistent sleep routine can all trigger an attack.

Smoking: The nicotine in cigarettes causes your body’s blood vessels to constrict (or narrow), allowing less blood to get to your brain. This is one of the causes of migraine headaches.

Medications: migraine medications — either prescribed or over-the-counter — can actually make migraines worse. This is called Medication Overuse Headache, and it happens when you take more pain medication because of increasing migraines, which actually ends up causing more of them.

The Weather: Sudden changes in weather can be a trigger for some people getting migraines. For some, it’s one weather pattern, like a storm on its way.

Certain Lights, Noises, and Smells: Overactivated senses may be a cause of your migraines. Loud sounds (like at a concert), bright lights (like flashing lights or intense sunlight), or strong smells (like perfume or paint smells) can trigger a migraine attack.

Specific Foods and Drinks: Certain food sources and beverages, for example: cheddar, cocktails, chocolate and food additive substances like nitrates and fermented or salted foods might trigger up to 30% of migraines.