Here’s How Life Changed for Daisy Ridley After Graves’ Disease Diagnosis 

Daisy Ridley is not just Rey from Star Wars—she’s also a warrior off-screen! Over the years, she has faced several health challenges. From battling endometriosis in her teens to dealing with polycystic ovaries in her twenties, the star has been pretty open about her struggles.

But in September 2023, life threw her another curveball: Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder that speeds up the thyroid. This diagnosis came after she experienced several symptoms, like hot flashes, fatigue, and a racing heart.

Initially, she thought these feelings were just part of playing a stressful character in her latest movie, Magpie. But after discussing her symptoms with a doctor, Ridley learned that she was actually dealing with a serious health issue.

Daisy Ridley Found Balance After Health Diagnosis

At first, Daisy Ridley felt irritated, and it turned out to be more than just the world getting on her nerves. With Graves’ disease, the actress felt a blend of sadness and a sprinkle of annoyance. As she said in an interview with Women’s Health:

It was funny, I was like, ‘Oh, I just thought I was annoyed at the world,’ but turns out everything is functioning so quickly, you can’t chill out.

But instead of sinking into despair, she’s finding silver linings. Now, Ridley has developed a routine that includes daily medication and a more mindful diet. Vegan for years, she’s now giving gluten the boot (mostly) after the diagnosis.

She found that reducing gluten helped her feel better, especially since it can help with inflammation. The Hollywood beauty has also become more aware of her body and its needs. Ridley realized that she needs to slow down and take care of herself.

Simple things, like listening to birds or noticing the color of the sky, have become important to her. The 32-year-old reflected on how she didn’t realize just how unwell she felt before her diagnosis. This new awareness has encouraged her to focus on well-being, not just health.

Listening to Her Body Helped Daisy Ridley Cope with the Diagnosis

Daisy Ridley’s health journey also includes changes to her workout routine. For years, she has been active and loved to exercise. But with her new diagnosis, the English actress needed to adapt her workouts to fit her body’s needs.

She started working with a personal trainer, Matt Bevan, who understood her condition and tailored workouts just for her. Her previous high-intensity workouts have been replaced with more functional exercises that suit her current energy levels.

Instead of running or doing extreme cardio, Ridley focused on mobility exercises, bodyweight movements, and strength training that feels good for her body. Exercises like lateral lunges, Bulgarian squats, and coordination drills have become her new go-tos.

Through all this, she is embracing her holistic side too. From infrared saunas to massages, Ridley is treating herself like the star she is. And don’t forget the crystals! She is carrying around rose quartz for emotional balance.

The London native gets that it’s a privilege to care for herself like this. But she’s also spreading the word that women need to listen to their bodies more. It’s okay to not feel fine all the time. No doubt, Ridley is a true advocate.