Thyroid Warrior Podcast

I thought about saying the actual word, butttt I think that you know what I mean...

I am challenging you in this series, but I want you to take a hard look at what you're doing and think through how to make your life more manageable. I don't want you to continue to live in this vicious stress cycle when your body is dealing with so much fatigue.

In this episode, I talk about 3 things that I want you to work on and I'll give you a hint...one of the points is learning how to say no.

What are you going to release today?

Many of us are too familiar with the concept of being a giver...it has been something that we've been focused on since the time we were young...I'm here to tell you that it wreaks havoc on your body.

You're left with little to give and you can develop resentment, REALLY fast...

On this episode, I share with you some of the things that I've learned about in terms of how to process the stress response cycle.

Also, I mention the book "Burnout" by Emily and Amelia Nagoski...it's a great book and it truly breaks down how to process burnout. I highly recommend it.

Burnout is real...it's easy to dismiss it because for many of us, it mimics the symptoms of our thyroid disease (Psychology Today):

• Fatigue and exhaustion
• Inability to concentrate
• Sense of dread to do things, especially work related activity
• Physical ailments

During this time, it's even more important to pay attention to these signs and symptoms. I could tell you to practice self care, but I want you to become keenly aware of the nuances that can take you from being okay to out of control.

I know it's a challenge, but you can do this.

This episode is all about body image.

We have to remember how much our bodies can change when our thyroid gland isn't functioning optimally and what can happen when our hormones aren't balanced. Being a teenager that has to go through these changes can be difficult.

Help them develop a healthy body image and remind them of their beauty because the world isn't always kind in that way.

I believe in you. I know that it's hard, but you can do this!

In the first episode of this series, we talked about what to look for and how to understand the changes that your teen may be facing.

This episode is all about establishing a new normal, from sleep habits to understanding what their life will look like. It's easy to think the worse at that age...I definitely did.

I want to encourage you to talk to them, get to know them from the lens of what they're experiencing. Relate to them, especially if you have any type of thyroid condition...it goes a long way.

If your teen has a high amount of stress, say due to their academic load or if they're managing home, school and their athletic life, it's important to help them understand how their bodies change and what impact that will have on their abilities, even if it is short term. Stress management in particular will be incredibly important during this time as well.

Lately I've been receiving a lot more messages from teens that are experiencing symptoms. They either have been diagnosed with Hashimoto's Disease or they're having hyper or hypo symptoms.

It's really important to me to provide a voice to talk about a lot of these things because it's important and it's often missed. Far too often we will say one of the following statements:

"Oh, they're just being a hormonal teenager" or

"They're moody, it's that time of the month"

"They've hit puberty" and/or "they'll get over it"

The above statements can be "explained away"; however, you can have a child or a person that is incredibly even tempered. Suddenly they start having symptoms and things aren't quite right anymore.

I want to ask you a series of questions to have you look at the person that is in your life, who may or may not be having these symptoms.

1. Temperament: Is the teenager in your life, usually very even tempered or they're someone that doesn't get easily upset?
2. Current Stressors: What stressors are currently in the life of your family that could be contributing to additional stress or anxiety? Has this person been engaged in a lot of sports/activities? Have you had a death in the family? Has divorce occurred in your family?
3. Other Health Challenges: Is this person going through other health challenges and health issues?

Don't be afraid to talk to that person about what's going on. It's very easy to come to the conclusion that the teenager in your life "doesn't talk", but trust me, they have a lot that they want to share, but sometimes, they just don't know how to. I wish someone would have pulled me aside and took the time to talk to me. Be sure to allow them the space to talk...don't bring up the conversation when you have to hop on a call or you have an engagement in five minutes. Give them the time. Trust me, you'll be happy you did. Also, don't be surprised if the floodgates open. Remember, kindness, love and compassion.

Being a caregiver is tough...

I want you all to take a second and BREATHE.

You don't need to schedule a fancy spa day...

Here are some suggestions:

-Revisit something that makes you happy

-Go back to taking five minutes for yourself

-Don't be afraid to be joyful...we live in a society where people assume that you're not "dealing with stuff" when you have a happy countenance. Yes there is a such thing as toxic positivity, but many of us just choose to be happy.

I read an activity from my good friend Lara Casey on this episode to help you work through some things. Try it out for yourself and you can grab her Book "Cultivate: A Grace-Filled Guide to Growing an Intentional Life" at cultivatewhatmatters.com

Bring a caretaker part 2

You can be as happy as you want to....as long as it fits how others think you should be happy...SIKE

Everyone processes their emotions differently. No one can tell you how to feel. Your feelings are valid. Some tips:

• Write down how you're feeling
• Make sure you have a support system
• Therapy is okay
• Anxiety medication is okay...sometimes we need some help to get us through a difficult time

Takeaway 1

Your feelings are valid. It it's okay to process through your emotions in the way that YOU need to. Give yourself permission to fall apart.

Takeaway 2

As I learned from the Cultivate What Matters conference, each part of your life may demand a certain level of focus...Understand that you can have a vision for the season you're going through. It can change over time and that okay.

Takeaway 3

When you try to be everything for everyone else, you can't show up for yourself. Take off the guilt jacket...as a caregiver, it's easy to feel like you're not enough...I'm here to tell you that YOU ARE WORTHY.

Understand and recognize that you matter, your health matters and your life matters.

Thank you for doing everything that you do for your loved ones.

This series has completely and totally opened my eyes to the role that so many of you have to provide for your families...being a caregiver.

This episode lays the groundwork of how I will be walking you through my experience of caring for someone from a distance.

Here are few tips from this episode:

Get in the habit of writing things down when a loved one isn't feeling well. Get in the habit of recording what happens with your loved one when they leave a clinic visit. If you're provided with information, read it. When they pick up medications from the pharmacy, read the medication labels.

When your loved one goes to the hospital or doctor, ask about being present in the room. Write down any questions that you have about your visit.

Don't be afraid to ask questions! The life of your loved one may depend on it.

I will also introduce you all to two of my favorite humans...their words have helped me tremendously throughout this time.

One is Dawn Barton. She wrote a book titled "Laughing through the Ugly Cry...you can find it here. It helped me so much through my own personal struggles and how to be there for my family.

This episode is near and dear to my heart.

It is VITAL that we understand our roles as a patient. It is not to say that we are less than in the patient doctor relationship, rather, we should see ourselves as a client of the doctor.

I want to encourage you to think about ways that you can be more active in your care. This isn't to say that you aren't already, but I want to push you to feel empowered!

Can you prepare your questions prior to your visit?

If the doctor/healthcare provider says something that you don't understand, don't agree with or you have further questions, will you speak up about it?

If you receive a bill that you don't agree with, will you call the billing office to ask about it?

I'm here for you. I want to encourage you in this. You can live a happy, healthy and joy filled life and I want to make sure that you have the tools and support that you need in order to be successful!