Laughing with Hashimoto: Humor as Medicine | Hashimoto Coach

Laughing with Hashimoto:

Hashimoto’s is no joke, but sometimes a little joke is exactly what helps make it just a bit more bearable.

On days when my energy seems to vanish as if someone secretly pulled the plug, I try to use humor. That doesn't mean I don't take the illness seriously; it actually means I'm giving myself some breathing room. And let's be honest: laughter really is the best medicine!

I also don't make plans far in advance, because I can wake up feeling like an absolute wet rag.

When I finally do make plans, my body says, “Nice idea, but I'm choosing couch mode.”

For instance, recently on my way to work, I ended up in a kind of freeze at the station where I literally couldn't take a single step. The only thing that would help was a bed and pajamas. The frustration is real, but sometimes I almost have to laugh because my body says “no” so convincingly.

Someone asks, “Are you tired?” and I think: where do I even begin?

With Hashimoto's, “a little tired” is sometimes the equivalent of “I could easily fall asleep on a concrete paving slab right now.” It remains something that is so hard to explain.

I eat healthy, I rest, I faithfully take my medication exactly as I should—on an empty stomach, half an hour before coffee—I exercise, I do everything right, but still, my body behaves like a senior citizen, creaking and groaning.

It's tempting to sigh, but sometimes a dry remark works much better—something my boyfriend is very good at and happily volunteers for. It doesn't minimize the symptoms, but it definitely lightens the heavy load around them.

Humor = Survival

For me, humor doesn't mean brushing aside the heavy sides of Hashimoto's.

Instead, it means bringing a little bit of light to days that can feel heavy and grey. I try to remind myself that I don't have to solve everything perfectly to still have a nice day.

As I've concluded after a lot of self-reflection: 'There is so much beauty in imperfection.'

Just getting through the day can be a struggle in itself...

Hashimoto's is a challenging condition, but I believe there is always room for a laugh. Not because everything is fun, but because a little breathing room is sometimes exactly what you need to keep going 😄. So keep looking for those small, funny moments in between. With contentment comes enjoyment!