We live in a busy world, and we’re a generation that runs strong on caffeine. With endless to-do lists and constant rushing, fatigue is a normal part of our lifestyle. The fast-paced life has got us craving for sweets and junk food to compensate for exhaustion. At some point, we might feel burnt out, and totally exhausted. Exhaustion is multi-faceted, but in most cases, one contributing factor is adrenal fatigue.
What is Adrenal Fatigue and What Causes It?
Within our system are small glands that do big things for the body. They are known as the adrenals. These glands release important hormones, including cortisol – the hormone responsible for keeping us alert and active, and also acts as the body’s reminder that it’s time to rest. Cortisol also plays another important role – it is a hormone that controls the body’s flight or fight response. =
Have you experienced feeling so exhausted after a brush with a car crash, or after an intense and angry confrontation? This is the body’s natural response when our cortisol levels are elevated.
Now imagine if adrenal stress happens on a daily basis. Can you think of how battered the adrenals would be if we have elevated cortisol levels every day because of our tasks, our jobs, and our roles as caregivers and providers?
Adrenal fatigue is more of a brain problem than a body problem. Due to chronic stress, the brain loses its natural wiring and could not identify anymore when to send signals to the adrenals to regulate the right cortisol amounts, in the right moments.
The effect? Exhaustion. Fatigue. Burn out.
But how do you know if you have adrenal fatigue?
What Are the Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue
Anyone can go through a phase of adrenal fatigue. If daily stress levels are extended for a longer period of time, the effects of adrenal fatigue can become more evident.
Some of the people most susceptible to adrenal fatigue are team leaders, subordinates with bossy heads, mothers, health care providers, caregivers, and breadwinners. The higher amount of responsibilities and accountability, the more a person is prone to adrenal fatigue.
To see if you have the symptoms for adrenal fatigue, check if you are
Always feeling on the edge
Having trouble starting a morning routine
Craving sugar and salty food intensely
Exhausted during the afternoons
Suffering from foggy brain
Having a hard time sleeping
Dealing with blood sugar issues
Prone to yoyo-ing weight
When adrenal fatigue is not taken care of, it could turn into an adrenal crisis – a serious condition that brings severe pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and dehydration.
To prevent adrenal stress from escalating, you can try the following solutions:
First, Consult a Medical Professional
In modern medicine, adrenal fatigue is not yet considered a medical condition because its symptoms could also be indicative of other issues like depression, fibromyalgia, and autoimmune diseases.
Although it’s not medically recognized, you can still proceed to an endocrinologist or a family health professional to get a general idea of what’s happening in your body, and the next steps you need to take. For example, your body might have a chemical imbalance that needs medical assistance.
Addressing underlying medical conditions can also be the first step to healing adrenal fatigue.
Second, Review Your Routines
Paying attention to your daily routines and activities also matters. Each of us have physical and mental energy limitations. Unfortunately, because we want to do more, we tend to say “yes” to everything even though it causes us stress.
For example, a working mom’s cortisol may increase when she couldn’t spend enough time with her children. However, because she wants to impress the bosses at work, she puts in more hours. An added workload can stress her out physically. The fact that she won’t have enough energy to bond with her kids also increases her mental stress. The guilt she feels from the lack of quality time with her kids creates emotional stress. Wishing she was able to do it all, but not being able to then produces energetic stress.
A great way to prevent adrenal fatigue is to review routines and energy limitations. How much energy can you give for work? Family? Personal time? Stick to those limitations to prevent stress and exhaustion from overpowering your life.
Third, Self-Care
Although there are responsibilities we can limit, some people receive responsibilities that they can’t easily take a break from. For example, mothers with special needs kids might spend 24/7 caring for their children. A caregiver caring for someone with a chronic illness may take on the burden of being available for someone round-the-clock.
Mothers, parents, and caregivers have senses that are perpetually piqued – always on the lookout for dangers and threats. If you’re one, you might greatly experience the effects of adrenal fatigue.
If possible, find the time to take care of yourself through self-care treatments, or a relaxing Reiki healing session. I’ve had clients before with high-stress levels loosen up after a Reiki treatment. Reiki and your Reiki Practitioner help you take a moment of peace for yourself, and release the build-up of negative energy in the body.
If the cause of your perpetual stress is deeply-rooted or caused by trauma from accidents, medical emergencies, and a fear that something will always be wrong, you can take a break with an Intuitive Energy Healing for adrenals session. An Intuitive Healing session can aid in healing the emotional wounds that are causing stress in us.
Fourth, Lifestyle Changes
Diet and exercise are a big part of bringing balance to exhausted adrenals. Eating vegetables, lean protein, and gluten-free carbs, B vitamins, Vitamin C, and Omega-3 rich foods can prevent further adrenal inflammation. Drinking water and supplementing with fresh lemon juice, Vitamin D, and Zinc can contribute to improved adrenal health.
Sleeping before 11PM is recommended for adrenal imbalance as cortisols usually surge at 11PM. When you miss the 11PM sleep, you’ll be prone to disrupted sleeping patterns.
Fifth, Self Love
We all think of a lot of things on a daily basis – deadlines, personal relationships, career goals – all at the expense of our peace of mind, mental health, and adrenal health.
Self-love is an important step to bringing the balance back to the adrenals. With self-love, we can say “No” to things that stress us out. With self-love, we can prioritize time for self-care. With self-love, we make the right choices for our health, our mind, body, and soul.
Adrenal health is a big part of self-care. When our adrenals are healthy, we are more capable, happier, and we can have more energy for family, for our passions, and for our hopes and goals!
