Daisy Ridley has experimented with a lot of hard things in her life, including rigorous swimming training for her latest film Young Woman and the Sea, which the 32-year-old actress also executive-produced. In the film, she portrays real-life competitive American athlete Gertrude “Trudy” Ederle, the first woman to swim the English Channel. In her personal life, Daisy has navigated some serious health challenges – an endometriosis diagnosis in her 20s and more recently Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder whose symptoms include an overactive thyroid. Yet, she’s not allowing any of her health woes to stop her from living. Instead, she’s learnt to happily co-exist with them. Winners’ attitude right there! Below are some of the quotes from her September/October 2024 cover story that have inspired us to really listen when our bodies send *SOS* signs.
READ MORE: Everything You Need To Know About Endometriosis
On being diagnosed with Grave’s Disease
“I am not super strict about it, but generally cutting down on gluten makes me feel better,” says Daisy.
News of the Grave’s Disease diagnosis landed as somewhat of a random blow to Daisy, who’s generally always taken good care of herself. The silver lining? The diagnosis pointed Daisy in the direction of a routine pattern of daily medication and a more mindful diet. Previously a vegan, she’s also gone gluten-free post her diagnosis, which helps with inflammation for those predisposed to it.
On being more well-being conscious
“I’ve always been health conscious, and now I’m trying to be more well-being conscious,” says Daisy.
Another silver lining? The Grave’s Disease diagnosis has left Daisy with a “renewed sense of body awareness and reminded her that not everything can be anticipated.” The greatest takeaway? She’s now pouring energy into slowing down, resting when her body calls for it and paying more attention to any signs that her body gives off. Integrated into her new self-care routine are things like infrared saunas, cryotherapy, massages, acupuncture, a fair amount of the holistic stuff – plus her much-loved bath time. She adds that being able to do all these things is a privilege she doesn’t take for granted.
READ MORE: Here’s How A High-Fibre Diet Can Improve Your Digestion And Gut Health, According To Nutritionists
On why we should stop normalising feeling unwell
“We all read the stats about women being undiagnosed or underdiagnosed and sort of coming to terms with saying, ‘I really, actually don’t feel good’ and not going, ‘I’m fine, I’m fine, I’m fine, I’m fine.’ It’s just normalised to not feel good,” she says.
Daisy, just like so many of us, is learning to continuously listen to her body, a thing she knows many women are not inclined to do. “In the grand scheme of things, it’s much less severe than what a lot of people go through,” she says. “Even if you can deal with it, you shouldn’t have to. If there’s a problem, you shouldn’t have to just [suffer through it].”
On taking some time off to deload
Pppsssttt: A deload is where you lower the intensity of your workouts or take a bit of a break form exercising.
“Generally, my training stays pretty consistent. And then we (together with her personal trainer Matt Bevan) tailor stuff to what I’m doing. It’s just finding the balance and me understanding now where my tolerance really ends.”
Depending on what project Daisy working on, she’ll either ramp up or tone down training efforts. For instance, she did high-intesity swimming training with Siobhan-Marie O’Connor for Young Woman and the Sea and kickboxing and Jedi training for another high-action role. Following the PR interviews for Young Woman and the Sea, Daisy’s training tolerance dwindled a bit, leading her to take a few days off training (or a “deload’ week” as she describes it. To boost her mental health, Daisy reads….A LOT! An avid reader, Daisy credits her passion for reading as a major reason she’s an actor today.
“I get to the point where, if I’m reading, I can’t hear other people. Reading is my meditation.”
READ MORE: 7 Signs You’re At Risk For Gum Disease – And What To Do
Remember…It’s never too late to start living well. Find the September/October 2024 issue of Women’s Health on shelves now, or buy yourself a digital copy. Happy reading!
