Thyroid Warrior Podcast

This podcast episode is just the beginning of something new... When managing grief, conflict, chronic illness, or life in general, it can be A LOT. My wish for you is that you will be able to check in with your body. I have lived the true definition of you can't be someone else's something if you're nothing for yourself. Can you take some time to figure out the following questions: What do I want? What makes me feel good? What have I said yes to, that I should have said no to? How can I say yes to myself more? It's only up from here friends...

This week is a very important topic - living wills, advanced directives, and healthcare proxies.  It is critical to have a conversation about these topics, and I encourage you to choose a trusted advocate or caregiver who can make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to. Please don't forget to document important information that may be crucial in times of emergency or if you are no longer able to make decisions for yourself: Keep track of passwords, bank accounts, and contact information for renovation workers.  Set up a legacy contact with Apple, enabling access to a deceased person's computer. Check for updates to these documents regularly as you change passwords or as things in your life change These steps can ease the burden on loved ones during difficult times. We also discuss different names for advanced directives, which may vary from state to state. In some areas, they may be referred to as healthcare agents or patient advocates. The key is to ensure you have a documented process for your medical decisions such as preferences regarding organ donation, pain management, resuscitation, ventilation, feeding tubes, and palliative care. By documenting these preferences, individuals can ensure that their wishes are respected and followed. When in doubt, consult with a lawyer regarding these documents and make sure you carry a copy with you at all times/you have a copy in your medical record.    

This podcast episode is about the struggle to manage grief. We are discussing how grief has impacted my thyroid condition, and I discuss the importance of expressing oneself and seeking support during challenging times. Grief will impact us differently, but it is important to connect with people and a care team who will support you throughout the entire process.  

This series is very close to home. This text discusses the importance of advocacy and communication in healthcare, particularly when it comes to end-of-life planning and death. This series is going to highlight the importance of establishing support systems, learning how to utilize clear communication during difficult times, and why it's so important to be open to having difficult conversations around death. Since it is Mental Health Awareness Month, I will also be hosting a kindness and gratitude challenge from May 22nd-May 26th (2023). Sign up at joyfulebony.com/kindness.  

When we think about our health, it can be easy to assume we don't have many options. However, I have been exploring different forms of treatment to support my health from Western Medicine to other modalities, including acupuncture and I must say, it's been great. I have recently been paying more attention to lifestyle medicine because I can't accept that prevention of disease is impossible for many of us. I also strongly believe in starting small and creating habits that will help you sustain your lifestyle. This episode was in part about lifestyle medicine and what is, as well as about how to make small changes (specifically diet in this case) that can help your health outcomes.  If you would like to learn more about lifestyle medicine, please visit the American College of Lifestyle Medicine https://lifestylemedicine.org/ to learn more.

For those of you who may be new to the show, let me reintroduce myself.   My name is Ebony, I have Hashimoto's Disease, I am a patient advocate, personal trainer, nutrition coach and aromatherapist. Through my own struggles, I have learned so much about this condition and have made it my mission to share what I have learned with all of you. As we move forward with the podcast, I am excited to announce that we will be taking a seasons-based approach. Each season will focus on a specific aspect of thyroid disease, from diagnosis to treatment options to self-care. I will be discussing my four step method I use to help clients in detail and I will also be enlisting the support of professionals in the field. I encourage all of you to take the time to get to know yourself and your own unique needs when it comes to managing thyroid disease. Together, we can support each other and thrive. Let me know your thoughts and what you want to hear more of!

Sometimes it can be a challenge to outgrow the things that used to make you feel safe and secure. We all know the struggle even when we're not aware of it: You want to say no to going out because you just don't like it anymore You've outgrown your current circle of friends, but you don't know how to say it Things that used to seem really difficult are merely bumps Don't forget that you can change and each of us will evolve over time. It doesn't make you a bad person, but you'll have to work through what feels safe for you in terms of navigating new spaces. Just like you may experience difficulty when you're adjusting to a new medication or health regimen, everything around you can shift too. If you're interested in learning more about my free monthly aromatherapy classes, click here. Choose Aromatherapy classes and you will be able to book the free class.

In this episode, we are going to talk about exploring this question: "Am I safe here"? I heard this question on a podcast from the Truth Doctor and it has revolutionized my thought process related to how I process my emotions, trauma and my condition.  I also spoke about ACEs or Adverse Childhood Events and I encourage you to be sure to do things that make you comfortable and safe while you explore this concept. For more informationon ACEs, check out: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/index.html  

In this episode, we are going to go deep and talk about some real stuff. For months, it has been a challenge and I often find myself asking the question "Why Bother"? This series is going to be going in detail with this. Updates: If you missed last week's episode, check out Near Country Provisions at nearcountry.com and enter the code "Ebony" for free meat provisions. Today is the last day to grab my Go Ahead, Eat the Cookie program at $197. Head to joyfulebony.com/cookiecourse to sign up and remember to use the code podcast as the price increases to $597 after September 1st Finally, if you love Strong Fitness Magazine as much as I do, grab a discount on a subscription using the code SFC3  

In today's episode, we have a treat of having a different perspective on Hashimoto's Disease. As many of us know, women are at a higher risk of developing Hashimoto's Disease, but that doesn't mean that men can't develop it. We all develop passions for good health in different ways and today's guest, Adam Gerson, of Near Country Provisions shares how he used the information from his journey to develop a subscription-based meat delivery service in the Mid Atlantic region (DC, Maryland and Virginia) that provides nutrient dense and grass-fed meat.  They are also testing out new cuts and other items. You can use the code "Ebony" to provisions with your first order! If you have any questions at all, you can reach out to Adam at adam@nearcountry Visit their website: https://nearcountry.com/ Check them out on social media: https://www.instagram.com/nearcountrydelivered/    

This podcast episode highlights Shalini Arora of Sunny Side of You. She helps busy people on the go, with no time and energy,  nurture a healthy lifestyle using principles of Natural Hygiene so that they become their best versions. We spoke about various ways of living a healthy lifestyle and she talks about different strategies to take care of oneself. You can check out her free masterclass here: https://www.balancethyroid.com/register  

It is very easy for us to focus so much on being self-sufficient. However, we forget that we contribute to our stress. Being aware means more than processing your environment.   It can also relate to your body and how it responds to things, places, or people.   Today, I want to ask you this question…can you change your circumstances when you don't like them? Maybe you can…maybe you can't; however, there are things you can do when you are unable to remove yourself from a situation…   Listen to the episode to learn more and to complete a few visual exercises!  

This podcast episode is calling out some of the feelings associated with things we tend not to say out loud.  Each of us has unique life experiences that will impact how we react to things that happen to us. Today I'm sharing how comments from our loved ones can be helpful and hurtful, especially when it comes to how we manage our conditions or choices related to our health.

Just don't stay there… Take a listen to Kim Walsh of Warrior Forward as we discuss her account of learning about her condition. One big takeaway for me as I listened again has been sometimes we do have to push forward in the moment, but it's so important to take time to grieve and heal. https://www.warriorforward.com/  

It can be very easy to get lost in the "I'm fine" trap.  I often ask my friends, how are you really? I want you to focus on the same thing today.  How are you? What's really going on? It's totally okay if that is something you are struggling with right now in this season, but I want to remind you that you can do it, whatever it is...even if it means going slower than originally planned.

Today's podcast episode is all about vegetable oils.  Yes, we are still in high school chemistry as we review the basic structures of lipids and such. However, when you understand the makeup of plant oils, you can develop an understanding of why some of your favorite products work. Also,  we celebrated Thyroid Awareness Month in January! Visit joyfulebony.com/thyroidawarenessmonth for all of the details, plus, some proceeds will be going to autoimmune.org!

This episode is all about patient portals.  It may be easy to call the doctor's office, but you also want to be able to see your health information at a glance and be able to message your care team.

Care coordination is defined as the process of organizing patient care and any activity for that patient to improve health outcomes (AHRQ.GOV).  In this podcast episode, we go over the basics of what that means and I provide you with an overview of how this works. We are also setting the stage for effective communication in the doctor's office. This brings me to a bonus! I'm so excited to share that my health journal is available digitally! Grab yours here: https://www.joyfulebony.com/product/health-journal/ https://soulabeautyco.com/collections/health-and-wellness/products/digital-health-journal  

Today's episode is giving you an actual example of how social determinants of health can impact someone's care.   For me, we have to have a more broad conversation about care. It's not solely on race. If we could focus more on how similar we are despite our experiences and differences.   Yes, health disparities exist.    Yes, minority populations are usually impacted by these structural issues.   However,   WE have all struggled with access to care.   WE come from different backgrounds and have had poor experiences in getting to appointments.   WE have all struggled with watching loved ones get sick because they can't afford their medications.   The question is how do WE work TOGETHER to help each other MORE?   Resources Marmot, Michael, and Ruth Bell. “Social Inequalities in Health: a Proper Concern of Epidemiology.” Annals of Epidemiology, Elsevier, 3 Mar. 2016, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1047279716300400.  Healthy People. “Social Determinants of Health.” Social Determinants of Health | Healthy People 2020, www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/social-determinants-of-health.  Eighty-Six Percent of Primary Care Patients Believe Racism Is Impacting Their Health.” Primary Care Collaborative, 22 July 2020, www.pcpcc.org/2020/06/10/eighty-six-percent-primary-care-patients-believe-racism-impacting-their-health.  Evans, Michele K., et al. “Diagnosing and Treating Systemic Racism: NEJM.” New England Journal of Medicine, 17 June 2020, www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2021693.  PatientEngagementHIT. “Patients, Providers Reflect on Racism as Public Health Crisis.” PatientEngagementHIT, 15 June 2020, patientengagementhit.com/news/patients-providers-reflect-on-racism-as-public-health-crisis.  Nolen, LaShyra, et al. “How Medical Education Is Missing the Bull's-Eye: NEJM.” New England Journal of Medicine, 25 June 2020, www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1915891?query=recirc_mostViewed_railB_article.  Wakefield, Emily O, et al. “Describing Perceived Racial Bias Among Youth With Sickle Cell Disease.” OUP Academic, Oxford University Press, 17 Mar. 2018, academic.oup.com/jpepsy/article/43/7/779/4942298.  Betancourt, Joseph R. “Cultural Competence And Health Care Disparities: Key Perspectives And Trends.” Health Affairs, 2005, www.healthaffairs.org/doi/full/10.1377/hlthaff.24.2.499.  Henderson, Saras, et al. “Cultural Competence in Healthcare in the Community: A Concept Analysis.” Wiley Online Library, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 7 Mar. 2018, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/hsc.12556.  Rukhsana Ahmed & Benjamin R. Bates (2017) Patients' fear of physicians and perceptions of physicians' cultural competence in healthcare, Journal of Communication in Healthcare, 10:1, 55-60, DOI: 10.1080/17538068.2017.1287389  Joseph R. Betancourt, Alexander R. Green. “Defining Cultural Competence: A Practical Framework for Addressing Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Health and Health Care - Joseph R. Betancourt, Alexander R. Green, J. Emilio Carrillo, Owusu Ananeh-Firempong, 2003.” SAGE Journals, 1 July 2003, journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1093/phr/118.4.293.  Crawford, Dana E., et al. “‘LET UP': A Systematic Approach to Responding to Cultural Bias in Health Care.” ZERO TO THREE, vol. 40, no. 2, Nov. 2019, pp. 10–17. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,shib&db=eric&AN=EJ1244159&site=ehost-live&scope=site.  Place, Not Race: Disparities Dissipate In Southwest Baltimore When Blacks And Whites Live Under Similar Conditions 

Health disparities aren't something that impact people of color. Each of us are impacted in different ways. This podcast episode is going to begin the process of exploring how we can all recognize how each of us has much more in common from the perspective of access to care. Today, I will be introducing the basics of social determinants of health. You can reference healthypeople.gov in the US to read more.

I cannot stress the importance of having a filing system in place to keep track of your health information. It is key that you take the time to get your after visit summary printed as well as your records together. Utilize your electronic patient portal if you have one and don't be afraid to ask questions. I always stress the importance of keeping a health journal,but you need one now more than ever!

We are continuing the conversation about health literacy, but this time the focus is on what's called limited English proficiency. Being able to understand what is being discussed with you is key, especially if English is not your first language.  In this podcast episode, I also discuss why a medical interpreter may be needed and what to expect. Share this with a friend! For more information, visit: lep.gov https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/special-topics/limited-english-proficiency/index.html https://www.ojp.gov/program/civil-rights/limited-english-proficient-lep    

How do you like to receive information? Verbal Written  Video In this podcast episode, we are starting he process of discussing health literacy, which is a very important topic! We often miss opportunities to truly understand concepts when we don't fully grasp what is being told to us during our healthcare visits. For more information on health literacy, visit the following sites: https://www.hrsa.gov/about/organization/bureaus/ohe/health-literacy/index.html   https://www.cdc.gov/healthliteracy/index.html    

In this episode, we are going to set the stage to talk about all things advocacy, SDOH, and health literacy. It's time to start the process to dig deeper into the healthcare perspective so that you can be an advocate for yourself and your loved ones. In the meantime, grab my advocacy checklist and video series by going to joyfulebony.com/advocacy

A recent flare up has taught me quite a bit. 1. The lessons learned throughout the show's history prove to be true. 2. It is incredibly important that you advocate for yourself. No one knows your body the way you do. 3. Understand that there are now changes in legislation that offer insight into what you can now view as a patient.  Hello 21st Century Cures Act in the States. At a high level, this act seeks to do two primary things: 1. It helps you as the patient have the ability to access your electronic health information easily and securely at no cost. 2. It helps to provide more technology that helps you to gain access to your health information.  You may have noticed that you can now see the notes written for many of your health visits. Please check out healthit.gov to learn more about the rule that went into effect as of April 2021. https://www.healthit.gov/curesrule/

There is a lot of controversy about essential oils and the first trimester of pregnancy. It's important to talk to your doctor about all alternatives methods you use to help with your symptoms. I err on the side of caution and recommend to use essential oils after your first trimester, but use oils like ginger, neroli or sweet orange. Always make sure you check out the botanical name, which company you're looking into (I love Plant Therapy, Simplers Botanicals and Pranarom).  With children, always keep your dilution LOW. I don't recommend to use essential oils with babies until they are around six months old, but again, every aromatherapist is different. I tend to be a lot more conservative. If you choose to use essential oils, dilute them in a carrier oil and apply them to you. You can hug your child or use no more than five drops of an essential oil in a carrier oil (you can store this in a rollerball). Always conduct a patch test and remember, if you notice nausea, vomiting, skin irritation or extreme discomfort, contact a medical professional immediately. Essential oils are wonderful, but we have to make sure we use them responsibly.

Our skin is incredible. It protects us from many things and does some amazing things! On today's episode, I'm focusing on how to nourish the outermost layer of our skin and I'm talking about the benefits of three carrier oils: Sunflower Safflower Flaxseed Oil Why are these vegetable oils so important? They are high in linoleic acid, which is a fatty acid that protects our skin from losing water (in the most simple terms). I also provide a simple recipe for a body oil (2 ounces): 1/2 ounce of flaxseed oil 1/2 ounce of safflower oil 1 ounce of sunflower oil If adding essential oils: 7 drops lavender oil (Lavandula angustifolia) 1 drop of peppermint (Mentha piperita) 7 drops of tangerine (Citrus reticulata) or sweet orange oil (Citrus sinensis)  

Essential oils have wonderful therapeutic actions. In this podcast episode, we are exploring two essential oils that can be used for hormone support (think cramps and mood support).  As always, please check in with your doctor to make sure that the essential oils used do not interfere with current medication or medical therapies. 

We know about the common essential oils to uplift your mood, but what about others? In this podcast episode, we are exploring three: Cypress Sweet Marjoram Mandarin We walk through the therapeutic properties, where they're typically harvested from and how you can blend them with other essential oils.  Of course, I recommend that you conduct your own research to determine what works best for you and please check with a physician prior to adding essential oils to your wellness regimen as they can have a negative impact on medications.

Let’s talk about essential oil safety. There are so many misconceptions about essential oils and in this series, we’re going to try to tackle some of those so that you can make informed decisions. Keep in mind that essential oils are not a cure all and should not serve as a medical alternative. You should always speak to a healthcare provider about your unique needs. When we think about essential oils, the key is understanding their power and volatility. Essential oils are extracted from plant matter and depending on the way that the plants are harvested, the climate in which they’re grown, and the region where they’re grown can impact the stability of the compounds. To start, like supplements, the essential oil industry IS NOT FDA regulated and it is important that you understand the following: How were the plants grown and harvested? Does the company have a safety data sheet (SDS) that they can provide related to the essential oil (and even carrier oils)? Always pay attention to botanical names (Citrus bergamia for Bergamot). If you see an essential oil that simply says “Lavender Oil”, run! Trust your nose. Once you become familiar with smelling essential oils,  Diffusing an oil….if when you add an essential oil and it’s cloudy in the water...most like a solubilizer has been added to it Pay attention to the price of essential oils. If you see an oil such as rose or jasmine that is only $10...run... When you are working with essential oils, ALWAYS dilute them. You want to make sure you’re protecting your skin and I want to make sure you exercise caution. As much as I love Pinterest, the recipes aren’t always calculated appropriately and some oils are rather potent, which makes sense as to why many people end up with burns or skin irritation. My favorite essential essential oil companies   Pranarom  Plant Therapy Simplers Botanicals New Directions Aromatics Phibee Aromatics     References https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1541-4337.12006   https://sfamjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1046/j.1365-2672.1999.00780.x

In order to really promote our well being and just kind of boost our wellbeing from a physical, spiritual, and emotional perspective.  It is also not just about “Oh, do you want some lavender oil with your massage?” No. That's not all that it is nor is it an air freshener. There is a lot more research coming out to review the efficacy of essential oils.  However, we have to remember a few things: Lavender and tea tree oils aren’t the only essential oils that you can use (or should) on your skin (please don’t add tea tree or peppermint oil directly to your skin and lavender isn’t a skincare cure all) You should always visit a doctor or dermatologist if you are experiencing issues Never use an undiluted essential oil unattended or without the supervision of an aromatherapist Understand that some citrus oils are considered phototoxic and can cause burns on the skin. If you do decide to use them, it’s best to wait 12 hours after using these essential oils (with a carrier oil of course) Certain essential oils are not good for pregnancy, small children, or pets   Books! The Encyclopedia of Aromatherapy by Christine Wildwood Aromatherapy for Women Book by Maggie Tisserand Advanced Aromatherapy Book by Kurt Schnaubelt

Our sense of smell is incredible. It's connected to emotions, it can drive behavior, and it triggers memories for us. I've learned how important it is for us to practice enhancing our sense of smell. However, you now have context as to why I started with the discussion of our brains...our sense of smell is directly connected to our limbic system. As we explore this sense, we will also review the benefits of essential oils in a safe manner. As always, please be sure to consult a physician before getting too excited about essential oils. While there is a lot of growing research on their efficacy, it’s important that you discuss how you can benefit from them.

Don’t forget friends, stress is not our friend. In the midst of finding more ways to be more accepting of who we are, we also have to acknowledge what our needs are. Are you playing the comparison game because you feel like you’re not organized enough? We all know that brain fog is real and sometimes it can be really difficult to keep our thoughts straight.    As a bonus for this week, check out a free video on why our health is so important, plus you’ll get a free planner to keep yourself on task. You can either print it or use it in your favorite note taking app!   Head to joyfulebony.com/stressfree today!

We are continuing on the journey of kindness, love and compassion for our bodies and who we are. Today, we interview Devon Rodriguez, a certified personal trainer and encouragement coach as I love to call her. We talked about the importance of affirming and advocating for yourself as well as loving your body no matter what stage of life you're in. She also shared some intimate details about her journey that will definitely encourage you if you have had food struggles in the past. We discussed the importance of community and recognizing that you are never alone. When in doubt, reach out!

C.S Lewis said it correctly "We are what we believe we are". I am urging you today to be careful how you speak to yourself. In this episode, I share three ways for you to practice kindness, love and compassion with yourself. In a society where we are bombarded with messages of not being enough, I want to remind you that you are perfect just the way you are. See yourself as the queen or king that you are and adjust your crown. You are handling your body going against what it was meant to do...the fatigue, the confusion, the joint pain.  Give yourself grace today and remember how strong you are!

Saying no gets a bad rap. I am going more in depth with the true things to say no to:  Toxic people Things online that don't make you feel good about yourself Not reviewing the triggers behind why you don't feel good about yourself Tune in to this week's episode for more These things can take up space and can live "rent free" in your mind and these things GOTTA GO! Your mental health is so important and your brain is an important aspect of signaling to keep your body healthy.  This series is important, not just for you, but for everyone that interacts with you and your future.

It's time to get REAL.  I'm noticing a pattern here...as we are moving through this continued pandemic, we are being bombarded with more and more images/media about where we should be, how we should look and how we should feel.  I want to have conversations about this with you all because while I don't have a solution per se, but I want us, as a community to have the difficult conversations about body image, self worth and self esteem...and not necessarily in the woo woo way of light a candle and practice self care. You all know that I'm a proponent of taking care of ourselves, but I want to make sure we see all sides of it, including being comfortable getting uncomfortable. 

On the last day of Thyroid Awareness Month, I wanted to talk about the last structures related to endocrine function.  We will of course bring everything together next week, but i want you to understand the more in depth concepts of our neuroendocrine system so that we can move forward with understanding the full body approach to wellness!

I am incredibly excited about this episode! We get to hear from Kirstyn Brown, the Editor in Chief of Strong Fitness Magazine! We are talking about everything from self care practices to what Strong as a company is up to.  The most important thing that we discuss is the importance of acknowledging where you are and recognizing that you are STRONG in every way! Learn more about Strong at strongfitnessmag.com Follow them on Instagram at strongfitnessmag Follow Kirstyn at kirstyn_brown

This week we're going to talk about the pituitary gland as well as the pineal gland. It's very important that I break this down because this will begin to highlight the why behind so many of my previous episodes.  For example, now you can understand why the type of food is important or why movement is important and what we can do to really, truly support our bodies, as well as our thyroid gland.

In this series, we are going to talk about your brain as it relates to your limbic system/thyroid gland. Your brain is incredibly powerful. It is composed of your pituitary hypothalamus your amygdala hippocampus, mammillary bodies your thalamus, as well as other structures. Each week we are going to break down a part of your brain and this week we are starting with the hypothalamus.

It is no secret that 2020 has been difficult. I could go on and on about it actually, but it won't really serve any of us. I touch *briefly* on events of this year, but what's most important is that you did it...WE did it...together. I want you to focus on what you did do...how much time were you able to spend doing things you forgot you loved or did you talk to your loved ones more? I had the opportunity to "feel" this year. It was nothing short of horrifying and amazing at the same time. So many things came to the surface for me. It is my hope that you will love a little harder and recognize your worth in 2020. You deserve it and remember...you're never alone.

Plant Diversity is becoming my new favorite thing to talk about! Now that I've learned all about the benefits that fiber brings to our lives I want to reap the benefits all the time! In this episode, I give you a challenge of adding more color to your plate. Increase the plant diversity, get all of the good fiber and watch how much it changes you for the better! This series provides you with information from the book Fiber Fueled!

This series will be based upon the book "Fiber Fueled" by Dr. William Bulsiewicz. In it, he talks about how to rebuild your gut and he breaks down very difficult concepts into easy to understand topics. We are all struggling with trying to find a "new normal" and now is the perfect time to start the basis of understanding how to truly build a solid foundation, especially because our gut is the largest endocrine organ in our body! This episode gives you a snippet of a concept of Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs). 

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.    Temperament: Is the teenager in your life, usually very even tempered or they’re someone that doesn't get easily upset?  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?  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