Everyone has experienced waking up and instantly feeling tired, wanting to go back to sleep. But some people experience that sleepy feeling throughout the day due to a thyroid imbalance. If you’re experiencing daily fatigue, along with other symptoms, you may have hypothyroidism. But there are natural ways to help relieve symptoms of hypothyroidism.
What Is Hypothyroidism?
In simple terms, hypothyroidism is a condition in which your body cannot produce an adequate amount of the thyroid hormone to regulate your bodily functions. Anyone can develop hypothyroidism at any age; it is quite common. On the contrary, if your body is overproducing the thyroid hormone, you may be experiencing hyperthyroidism which can cause excessive sweating, nervousness, and an irregular heartbeat.
The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped organ located in your neck. The purpose of the thyroid gland is to control your metabolism, which converts food into energy and controls other hormones in your body. When the thyroid gland is underactive, it can cause your metabolism to decrease, resulting in weight gain and other complications.
Some symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
- Unexplained weight gain
- Fatigue
- Mood swings
- Hair loss
- Enlarged thyroid gland
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, be sure to talk with your doctor so you can get your health back on track.
Go Sugar-Free
Sugar may be harmful to anyone, but it may be especially detrimental to people suffering from underactive thyroid disease. Your metabolism controls your energy levels, and when you regularly eat high-sugar and processed foods, your energy levels are thrown into disarray.
These unhealthy foods also cause inflammation in the body, decreasing the rate of hormone conversion and worsening your symptoms.
Try the Gluten-Free Diet
Gluten tends to be in a lot of foods that you eat daily. Gluten may mistakenly cause your immune cells to attack your thyroid tissue as a protective response, so gluten may exaggerate your symptoms if you have hypothyroidism. Try adopting a gluten-free diet and track your symptoms to notice any differences so you can ensure you’re taking the proper precautions.
Exercise
Exercise naturally boosts metabolism, but no exercise routine is perfect for everyone. If you feel fatigued every day, you may be discouraged from exerting additional energy for a workout session. But try to remember that exercise can help manage your symptoms and give you more energy.
Working out can boost your mood, prevent weight gain, and decrease joint pain. Although it seems counterproductive to work out when you feel tired, that’s the best time to exercise. Try to create a daily routine around your exercise routines to regulate your hormones naturally.
Manage Stress
Stress is a part of life, but it can be a significant contributing factor to symptoms of hypothyroidism. The stress hormone cortisol can negatively affect your immune system, making your body work harder to produce enough thyroid hormones.
There are many ways you can manage your stress, including:
- Getting enough sleep
- Adopting a healthy diet
- Spending time outdoors
- Working on a creative hobby
- Staying active
Managing your stress will inevitably manage your symptoms.
Talk to your doctor before making any changes to your medication and incorporating natural ways to help relieve symptoms of hypothyroidism. When you take care of your health, your body will thank you.
