What Can You Do to Live Well with Hypothyroidism?Leading an overall healthy lifestyle—one that includes eating well and exercising—can help you manage
hypothyroidism. But what else can you do to live well with hypothyroidism? This slideshow walks you through 4 lifestyle tips for hypothyroidism.
Having hypothyroidism can make you feel exhausted and sluggish, and it can make it difficult to concentrate, among other things—even when you’re taking levothyroxine (a type of thyroid hormone replacement therapy and the most common treatment for hypothyroidism).
But what else can you do to take charge of your hypothyroidism? Keep clicking to learn 4 lifestyle tips that can help you live well with hypothyroidism.
Lifestyle Tip #1: Fill Up with Healthy FoodsBut What Should You Eat?
While there isn’t a hypothyroidism diet, you should focus your meals around veggies, fruits, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. And to keep your energy levels stable, you can eat small meals throughout the day.
Weight gain is a common symptom of hypothyroidism, so eating well can also help you maintain a healthy weight. Some foods (eg, high-fiber foods) and supplements (eg, iron, calcium) can affect how you absorb levothyroxine, so talk to your doctor about these foods and supplements.
Lifestyle Tip #2: Exercise Regularly, and Mix It UpWalking, Weight Lifting, and Yoga
You already know how good exercise is for you, but are you doing enough of it? If you are, are you mixing it up enough? Exercise can boost energy, decrease stress, and help you maintain a healthy weight (all important benefits, especially if you have hypothyroidism).
Work in the 3 types of exercises: aerobic (aka cardio), strengthening, and flexibility. Exercises to try: Walking, light weight lifting, and yoga. Talk to your doctor before trying a new exercise program.
Lifestyle Tip #3: Get Some Much-needed Stress ReliefFrom Meditation to Massage
Have you been told to relax lately? If so, you were probably thinking, ‘How can I relax when I have a million things to do?’ Well, it’s time to make yourself a priority.
Having a chronic disease—even if it’s being treated and monitored by your doctor—can be stressful. It can take a toll on your overall health. To combat stress, pencil in a weekly massage or schedule a daily 5-minute session of deep breathing or meditation.
Lifestyle Tip #4: Hit the Snooze Button
Go to Bed Early Tonight
If you have hypothyroidism, you probably feel tired throughout the day. What helps? Establishing a sleep schedule and sticking to it helps. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day—including weekends. In general, the sweet spot for sleep is between 7 and 9 hours.
If you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, talk to your doctor about other ways to help you drift off into dreamland.
Take Charge of Your Hypothyroidism
The lifestyle tips in this slideshow are part of any healthy lifestyle. And although there’s no cure for hypothyroidism, taking your medication in addition to incorporating these lifestyle changes can help you lead a healthy life.
