Daisy Ridley, known for her fierce portrayal of Rey in the Star Wars saga, is now shedding light on a more personal battle—her journey with Graves’ disease. In a recent interview with Women’s Health, the 32-year-old actress opened up about her health challenges, lifestyle changes, and how she’s finding balance in her life.
Ridley was diagnosed with Graves’ disease in September 2023, just after wrapping up filming for Magpie, a psychological thriller in which she plays Anette, a wife and mother navigating a tumultuous relationship. Reflecting on the period leading up to her diagnosis, Daisy shared, “I thought, Well, I’ve just played a really stressful role; presumably that’s why I feel poorly. 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.”
For those unfamiliar, Graves’ disease is an autoimmune condition that affects the thyroid gland, causing it to produce too much thyroid hormone, a condition known as hyperthyroidism. Symptoms can include everything from anxiety and irritability to weight loss and rapid heart rate. It’s a condition that can be challenging to manage, but Daisy is navigating it with a mix of practicality and grace.
One of the immediate lifestyle changes she made after her diagnosis was altering her diet. Daisy decided to go gluten-free, a move that has helped her manage some of the symptoms. “I am not super strict about it, but generally cutting down on gluten makes me feel better,” she explained. This shift has been part of a broader effort to listen to her body and prioritize her well-being.
Reflecting on how her new lifestyle has affected her, Daisy shared, “I didn’t realize how bad I felt before. Then I looked back and thought, How did I do that?” It’s a sentiment that many can relate to—sometimes, we don’t realize just how much our bodies are struggling until we make changes that help us feel better.
To support her health, Daisy has incorporated various holistic practices into her routine, including infrared saunas, cryotherapy, massages, and acupuncture. These treatments are part of her commitment to not just being health-conscious, but well-being conscious. “I’ve always been health conscious, and now I’m trying to be more well-being conscious,” she said. “I do a fair amount of the holistic stuff, but I also understand that it is a privilege to be able to do those things.”
Daisy’s journey with Graves’ disease has also heightened her awareness of the importance of listening to her body—something that, as she points out, many women are not inclined to do. “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 normalized to not feel good,” she explained.
Despite the challenges she’s faced, Daisy is not one to wallow in self-pity. She maintains a refreshing perspective on her health issues, stating, “In the grand scheme of things, it’s much less severe than what a lot of people go through. 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].”
Part of Daisy’s self-care routine involves staying active, a habit she’s always maintained. She works with personal trainer Matt Bevan, who helps her tailor her workouts to her body’s needs. “He’s just so good. He understands bodies; he understands fatigue…. Generally, my training stays pretty consistent. And then we tailor stuff to what I’m doing. It’s just finding the balance, and me understanding now where my tolerance really ends,” Daisy said.
For Daisy, exercise isn’t just about staying fit—it’s a mental escape. “It’s an hour just for me, and it’s my time to do what I need to do to make myself feel good,” she shared. This time allows her to recharge, both physically and mentally, and is an essential part of her self-care regimen.
When she’s not working out, Daisy finds solace in reading. A voracious reader, she describes how deeply she immerses herself in books: “I get to the point where, if I’m reading, I can’t hear other people. Reading is my meditation.” It’s clear that for Daisy, self-care is about more than just physical health—it’s about nurturing her mind and soul as well.
As Daisy Ridley continues to navigate life with Graves’ disease, she’s doing so with a thoughtful and balanced approach. By sharing her story, she not only sheds light on a condition that many people face but also offers a reminder of the importance of listening to our bodies and prioritizing our well-being.
