Adrenal Fatigue is a condition that we are hearing more about these days, it is not a new condition but because it is not formally diagnosed many people are either not aware of it or not sure what exactly it is. Either way it is a condition that everyone needs to be aware of as its extremely common and you may be suffering from it right now but don’t know it!
The adrenal glands are small glands that are located above the kidneys, they produce our stress hormone Cortisol. When we are constantly in stress mode the adrenals become over stressed and over tired resulting in Adrenal Fatigue which leads to chronic fatigue and can be the start of the disease process.
In the olden days we would get stressed only occasionally, say if we saw a Bear outside our house or a loved one in an accident or to learn about the untimely death of a family member. In such cases, the adrenal glands would release high levels of cortisol for a few hours or even a few days but then reset themselves. Today our stress levels are not rare but rather constant, from the morning rush of getting the kids out of the house and getting ourselves to work, to dealing with high pressure jobs, to getting dinner on the table, kids to a class, social commitments and then looking at the bills, throw in some financial stress and/or family issues and it’s a classic example of Adrenal Fatigue where the glands are constantly over stimulated and the power is ON all the time!
In my practice more than 85% of the female clients I see have Adrenal fatigue, regardless of the reason for their visit! This is a very common condition and here are some signs of it…
Signs of Adrenal Fatigue
With the power button always ON adrenal exhaustion sets in and results in the following symptoms:
* Anxiety, Irritability, Moodiness, Depression, feeling Overwhelmed
* Fatigue around 3-4pm
* Salt and/or sugar cravings
* Brain fog
* Feeling tired all the time
* Hormone imbalances
* Hashimotos diagnosis
* Low sex drive
* Insulin resistance
* Weight gain, especially in the middle
* Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
* Always waking up tired, regardless of how long you slept
So, if the above list has you releasing more Cortisol, slow down and know that there are many ways to reset the Adrenal glands, so you can get your health back!
Ways to reduce Adrenal Fatigue….
1. Change your Diet
Yes, your diet does play a role here too, healthy whole foods with a wide variety of plant-based foods are healing for the body. Remember that food is the medicine our body needs so give it high quality foods. Stay away from processed, refined junk foods, the toxins in them add to the body’s stress load!
2. Remove Allergens
I know many people who are aware of their allergies but still allow themselves to be exposed to them. The most common ones here are food related especially dairy and gluten! If you know you have an allergy be it food or environmental, please do not continue to expose yourself to it. The body must work extra hard to manage these allergies and is not able to heal which is a key requirement in resetting the Adrenals!
3. Is caffeine a culprit?
Many people with Adrenal issues do not tolerate caffeine well, it can make them more anxious, jittery and interfere with their sleep cycle. Consider eliminating coffee, but if it’s a ‘must have’ try to stick to 1 cup before noon.
4. De-Stress!!
You knew this was coming up right?
Yes, I am going to suggest meditation, deep breathing, Epsom salt baths, journaling, going to bed by 10pm, resting whenever you need it and taking it easy! This is vital, if you don’t take time to slow down the body will do it for you and by then you may well have a diagnosis! So, my friends please take control of your health and find your own de-stressing techniques, apply them and start resting your adrenal glands!
5. Watch the workouts
People with severe adrenal fatigue cannot tolerate high impact exercise, it increases the stress on the glands and makes them exhausted so enjoy gentle yoga and walks until the body tells you that it can handle more!
6. Talk positive
You can do all the above but if your Self-Talk is negative or you have unresolved childhood baggage or are experiencing relationship difficulties in any part of your life or have experienced trauma that has not been dealt with your body will not heal fast enough! Our physical health is directly related to our mental and emotional health so unresolved issues here can lead to the start of disease! In such cases I recommend seeking a counsellor, a psychotherapist or a mental health professional that can help you deal with the issues that are holding you back from living the full life you deserve!
7. Use Herbs
Adaptogenic herbs that can boost an underactive adrenal gland or slow down an overactive adrenal gland are excellent for supporting Adrenal fatigue. Examples of herbs include Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, Schisandra, Holy Basil and more. Talk to your natural health care provider to determine which one is right for you.
8. Essential Oils
Essential oils derived from plants should be in every home, they are excellent for many, many health conditions. The adrenals specifically benefit from Lavender, Rosemary and Frankincense oils. Be sure to use organic therapeutic grade oils from a reputed company such as Young Living or comparable ones.
“The particular kind of rest you need when you have adrenal fatigue comes not so much from lying down, but from standing up for yourself, and from removing or minimizing the harmful stresses in your life.”
Dr. James L. Wilson, Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome
To learn more about Adrenal Fatigue go to https://adrenalfatigue.org/
Remember, if you have any questions you are welcome to book your complimentary call with Wellness Redone at [email protected].
