How to Live Well with Hypothyroidism

March 24, 2015 / Thyroid Health / Source: Health

Having lived 12 plus years without a thyroid I know a bit about hypothyroidism. :-) I have my ups and downs, but through it all I have learned what it takes to live well.  If you suffer fromy hypothyroidism you know that sluggish, exhausted feeling that I like to call "thyroid tired" and you may have experienced what many of us call "foggy brain," where you essentially have difficulty focusing or concentrating.

Sometimes I forget that it took me several years to learn what I've learned and I forget that others may not have all the info yet either. So, I've decided that if I am truly going to be an advocate for those with thyroid issues then I need to start sharing some of the tips that I have learned over the years. Therefore, I wanted to start by sharing this simple article:  4 Lifestyle Tips for Hypothyroidism: What Can You Do to Live Well with Hypothyroidism?  This article explains why healthy eating, exercise, stress relief, and a good night's sleep are essential components for living well with hypothyroidism.

In all honesty, I believe these four tips are essential to anyone who wants to live well.  I have definitely found that nutrition plays a key role in how I feel.  In fact, it is probably the single most important factor in living well with hypothyroidism and contributes to all the other factors. However, exercise can also have an impact on reducing stress and sleeping better too. So, focusing on your fitness and nutrition are very vital. 

First, let's start with the fitness factor and why exercise is so important.  Exercise helps to boost our metabolism and energy levels, but as with anything we need to have a little variety to change things up so that we don't plateau.  Change is truly the key to avoiding plateaus (both in exercise and nutrition)!  So, make sure you include a combination of cardio, weight lifting, and flexibility type workouts (e.g., yoga) to receive the maximum benefit.

Lastly, but definitely not least, eating healthy foods is great advice for everyone...including those who have well regulated thyroid functioning.  All can benefit from focusing meals around vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, whole grains, and lean protein; however, it is extremely important for those working to improve their thyroid functioning. This article states that there is not a specific hypothyroidism diet, but there are foods (goitrogenic foods) that are noted to inhibit thyroid functioning and others that appear to help increase our metabolism. So, I would encourage you to take time to research and learn more about which foods tend to help or hinder thyroid functioning.

Note:  I am not a physician, but I am a real live person who has dealt with many thyroid related issues...and have learned how to overcome them and live more optimally.  So, if you ever feel you need to talk to someone or want to know how I have overcome all of my issues depite living without a thyroid, please feel free to reach out to me because I truly desire to help others live more optimally too.  To contact me through this website click HERE, or email me directly.