Tip 9. Mind Over Matter: Harness the Power of Mindfulness
Living with Hashimoto’s disease is not just about managing physical symptoms. It’s also about managing your mental and emotional wellbeing. Here’s where mindfulness comes into play. Mindfulness, the practice of staying focused on the present moment, can be a powerful tool in your Hashimoto’s management toolkit.
Mindfulness can help you manage stress, a known trigger for autoimmune flare-ups. When practiced regularly, mindfulness exercises can reduce the production of the stress hormone cortisol. Less cortisol means less stress, and for Hashimoto’s patients, potentially fewer and less severe flare-ups.
Practicing mindfulness can also help you tune in to your body’s needs. With Hashimoto’s, it’s important to listen to your body. Are you feeling tired? Do you need rest? Or perhaps, some movement? Mindfulness can help you answer these questions and respond to your body’s needs effectively.
You might be thinking, “Sounds great, but how do I practice mindfulness?” Good news, it’s not as hard as it might seem. Mindfulness can be as simple as taking a few moments each day to focus on your breath. Or you can engage in activities that require your full attention, like painting, cooking, or even washing dishes.
Consider exploring guided mindfulness exercises or methods. There are plenty of apps and online resources available that can guide you through these practices. Regularly exercising mindfulness can help you manage your stress levels, tune into your body’s needs, and ultimately, better manage your Hashimoto’s symptoms. (9)
