Studies have found that stress can significantly affect those with thyroid problems. Stress has been known to worsen thyroid problems and affect those with thyroid issues. Stress is a natural human response we've all experienced, but its negative impacts on us go much further than just a worried mind.
Is stress contributing to your thyroid problems? Given the constant pressure we’re under to have successful careers, be supermoms, have a spotless home, and look Instagram-ready 24/7, it’s little wonder that stress affects us more than we imagine. And that’s not to mention the stress caused by troublesome world events, family emergencies, or even the traffic you’re stuck in on your daily commute.
In this post, we will discuss how that stress adds up, damages your thyroid and overall health, and how you can minimize the impact stress has on your health.
How Stress is Linked to Your Thyroid Problems
Of course, stress alone won't create thyroid problems, yet it doesn't help when thyroid problems already exist.
When stressed, your body produces more cortisol, affecting your thyroid. As cortisol increases, it sends signals to your thyroid to slow down the production and conversion of thyroid hormones.
But we obviously can’t simply avoid being stressed, so here are a few ways you can manage stress and support your thyroid during especially stressful times.
How to Prevent Stress From Causing Thyroid Problems
Although it can be difficult at times, the good news is that stress can be manageable, despite stressful circumstances! Now the question is, how can you minimize stress? Although there are many ways to destress, today we'll talk about three things you can focus on that positively impact the way stress hits you.
Three Steps to Managing Stress to Support Your Thyroid
When your mind and body are healthy, you can better combat stress. What are some ways you can care for your health? From getting the right amount of sleep to eating right to journaling, the list goes on and on. Let's take this step by step.
Mental Health - Self Care
Although learning that keeping a healthy headspace is a vital part of minimizing stress might not surprise you, we can't undermine just how big of a role the state of your mental health plays in combating stress.
Taking time each day to focus on activities that improve your mental and physical health is essential to the self-care that will help you manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy. Some things you can do to keep a healthy mindset are:
Journal.
Taking moments to reflect.
Prioritize sleep.
Develop gratitude.
Focus on being positive.
By taking these simple self-care steps, you can gradually improve your mental health.
Eating Habits
Your diet plays a vital role in your health! From living longer to lowering your risk of heart disease, developing good eating habits can help your body to handle stress in a less stressful way. What are some steps you can take to grow healthier eating habits?
Variety! Mix it up with different healthy foods. This will help prevent your meals from becoming dull, whether fresh fruits and veggies for a snack or a healthy meal consisting of balanced portions of foods you enjoy. Varying your meals keeps eating fun and is necessary for a healthy and balanced lifestyle!
Create a meal plan! Not only will this help you to keep track of the foods you eat, but it will also help you to be consistent with foods that are good for you. This healthy and fun eating lifestyle is, understandably, quite popular! Check out our Custom Macro Service to get started!
Eat slowly! This one might be confusing at first, but hear us out! Taking the time to chew food longer breaks the food down, which, in turn, helps with digestion and tells your body that you are in a safe, stress-free place!
Don't skip meals! Not only does skipping meals slow down your metabolism, screw over your blood sugar, and lead to less energy and weight gain, but it can also affect your mood! Leaving you feeling gloomy and unproductive.
Exercise
Exercise on its own is one of the best ways to destress. How?
Endorphins. These chemical signals released by your brain help you to feel at ease and happy. They're also released when you exercise! It makes sense then why exercising can help relieve stress.
Lessen the harmful effects of stress. Mayo Clinic simply states, "Exercise can provide stress relief for your body while imitating effects of stress, such as the flight or fight response, and helping your body and its systems practice working together through those effects." This, in turn, can help your body learn to combat stress healthily.
Have a positive effect on your mood. Exercise's benefits are endless, from better sleep to better self-confidence. A better perspective leads to a better way of dealing with stress.
Why Managing Stress is so Important for Your Thyroid
The connection between a healthy lifestyle and stress is highly intertwined. That's why it's so important to find the relationships between them. We live in a world where stress is bound to arrive. Knowing how to combat stress can help your day-to-day health and overall health.
At times though, it can be hard to figure out how to create a healthy lifestyle alone. Are you trying to determine what meal plan would work best for you? Maybe you're looking for a workout routine that's effective and doable. Or perhaps it's both at the same time!
Whatever steps you take to live healthier, we're here to help! We know how hard it can be to figure out these life changes independently. That's why we offer our Custom Macros, Custom Strength Training Programs, and more, all created with you in mind!
We know each person is unique, meaning each person deserves a personalized experience. That's why our services are customized to fit you and your life! Learn more about us today!
Kommentarer