Let’s Talk Thyroid Symptoms:

sleep + hashimotos

How can something so fundamental and simple be so hard?

This is a long term struggle of mine, so know if this is you too, you’re in good company!

Insomnia, difficulty falling asleep, waking during the night, sleep apnea & night sweats are all associated with thyroid disorders. They contribute to fatigue, lack of energy, lack of motivation and many other symptoms of thyroid disease and of course they can be related to other conditions too which is why it’s important to know if you are dealing with a thyroid related issue or not.

Disrupted hormones, circadian rhythms, cortisol, obesity, an enlarged tongue or thyroid, sluggish respiratory muscles are many of the things that can impact our ability to have deep restorative sleep. Not to mention an overactive mind, anxiety or depression.

I encourage you to dig deep into this topic if this is a struggle for you. I’m constantly reading, researching and adapting my sleep routine. My personal issue is falling asleep, once I’m out I’m good for the night but I can have trouble winding down my brain to sleep.

I have recently come across this sleep course by Dr Mark Hyman. At the time of writing it’s free and very comprehensive. Worth a try! 

Here are some tips based on my experience:

📅 Have a sleep routine. Just as kids need one (bath, book, bed), so do we. Actually bath, book bed is good for adults too! My current routine is below.

🛁 A bath with magnesium flakes and some calming essential oils is a lovely way  to wind down. Good for the restless legs too (if no bath, spray your legs with magnesium spray and I like to use the massage essential oil blend or cypress essential oil rubbed on my legs).

🧠To stop ‘thinking’ I like to watch fictional TV with Leigh. Then when I’m in bed I play Candy Crush. I know. No judging! Then I read myself to sleep.

👄I’ve started wearing a mouthguard at night made by a holistic dentist. Helps me nose breath and not grind my teeth.

📱Phones are kept out of our bedroom but i do have an ipad on sleep mode that I read on.

📚 Read a good book but not a great book (or it will keep you up!!)

🍓Ideally stop eating a few hours before bedtime.

🍵Calming tea before bed.

💦Diffusing or topically applying calming essential oils. My personal favourites are Vetiver, Cedarwood, Roman Chamomile, Magnolia, doTERRA’s Lavender Peace blend, Clary Sage. doTERRA have put together a Bedtime Bliss Kit with some of these. Click here to purchase.

💊Magnesium – topically and or a supplement.

💊 Melatonin. I have found a tiny bit of melatonin at bed really helpful.

☀️Get out into the natural sunlight first thing in the morning. Salute the sun!

🕶Try blue light blocking glasses a few hours before bed-  good for the circadian rhythm.

☕️ Limit caffeine. For me I do 1 coffee a day before 11am. 

🎧Mediation apps can help too. I’d love a recommendation of a good one.

My current sleep routine:

📺 TV after dinner. Something fictional so I don’t have to ‘think’ too much.

🚿 Shower (or occasional bath). 9-9.30pm

🧴 Rub some vetiver & clary sage essential oils over my body after the shower. Spray magnesium oils on my legs.

💊 I  take 1-2 Serenity soft gels which is doTERRA’s restful sleep aid plus I take a small amount of melatonin.

🍬 Play a few games of Candy Crush…. Totally mindless.

📚 Read myself to sleep. When I’m almost asleep I put in my mouthguard!

💤 Then hopefully I drift off to sleep.

✅ Join the discussion in the group, Let’s Talk Thyroid.

Suspect you have a thyroid issue? PLEASE trust your instincts and get it thoroughly checked out with your health practitioner. This thyroid basics page has an overview of what tests to ask for and an affiliate link to use a private lab if your doctor won't order them.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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