Supporting Hypothyroidism with Good Habits

Thyroid disease affects the whole body, affecting heart rate, metabolism, weight management, breathing, digestion, body temperature, mental activity, and more. The thyroid produces hormones that make the body function properly, and if it’s over- and underproducing, things can get wacky. Let’s look at hypothyroidism (aka underactive thyroid), the most common type of thyroid disease, and go over good habits to keep it healthy and functioning optimally.

Eat a Wholesome, Balanced Diet

Having a healthy diet is good for pretty much everyone, so that’s nothing new for chronic illness warriors. The twist is that the thyroid runs off of iodine, so you’ll want to incorporate things like seaweed, fish, dairy, and iodized salt (your usual table salt). However, having too much or too little can negatively affect your thyroid health - ask your doctor for personalized recommendations based on your lab work.

Selenium from nuts, seeds, and legumes helps support thyroid function. Zinc from whole grains, nuts, and lean meats, as well as iron from lean meats, spinach, and fortified cereals, aid in your body’s hormone production. Vitamin A supports the metabolism of your thyroid hormones, and you can find it in dark, leafy greens, orange and yellow vegetables, eggs, dairy, and some fruits.

The usual villain of processed foods, which contain additives that can disrupt thyroid function, should be minimized or avoided. Swap out refined sugars, high-fat foods, and artificial additives for fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.

Consistent Exercise to Kick into Gear

Regular physical activity does wonderful things for your body and mind, including boosting your metabolism and regulating hormone levels. Strength training can create lean muscle mass to help your body burn energy (aka calories) constantly, even after exercise is over. Rotate which muscle groups you focus on each time you exercise to allow them to rest in turn. Having a balanced routine of strength training, cardio, and flexibility exercises is best, so make sure to mix it up.

Yoga and tai chi are also really good exercises for the thyroid, as there are more stress-relieving ones. Stress can negatively impact your thyroid function as well. All regular exercise shows a reduction in stress hormones, so getting it in helps your body and your mind. Stress reduction is also attainable through meditation, deep breathing, and engaging in hobbies that you find pleasing.

Sleep to Reset Your Body

Getting good sleep on a nightly basis is crucial for your overall health, allowing your body to reset itself during your downtime. Hormone production and metabolic processes are regulated each night as you sleep. You need 7-9 hours per night of quality sleep, making sure your sleep environment is optimal to reduce disturbances. Dim or shut off lights, run a cool atmospheric temperature, avoid screens in bed, and have a designated winddown routine to signal your body that it’s time for bed.

Limit Exposure to Environmental Toxins

Pollutants, chemicals, and heavy metals can interfere with proper thyroid function, so such toxins should be avoided. Choose natural cleaning products, filter your drinking water, be aware of environmental pollutants, and maybe adopt some air-purifying plants for your home. Snake plants, spider plants, pothos, and aloe vera are all great choices for improving air quality and removing toxins. Plus, you get a little green friend to brighten your day.

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Check out the new Thyroid Symptoms Bundle in the shop to log health metrics that coincide with thyroid health!

• Weight Log

• BP & Pulse Log

• Sleep Tracker

• Mood Tracker

• Bowel Movement Log

• Period Tracker