23/10/2024
Adrenal fatigue or the “21st century stress syndrome” occurs when the adrenal glands have become overtaxed by excess cortisol release, and they can no longer produce the levels of cortisol (and other hormones) necessary to maintain optimal health.
The adrenal glands produce over fifty hormones (cortisol, DHEA, etc.), including roughly 40-50% of women’s progesterone + estrogen.
SYMPTOMS
Common symptoms of adrenal fatigue include: * fatigue, particularly upon waking, with intermittent “crashes” throughout the day (afternoon slump) * poor stress response and inability to regulate mood (feelings of overwhelm) * cognitive issues/trouble thinking and/or “brain fog” * increased energy levels in the evenings (night owls/catching a “second wind”) * cravings for salty and/or sweet foods * overuse of caffeine and other stimulants * compromised immune system (feeling rundown) * trouble sleeping * decreased libido * depression * anxiety
TREATMENT MODALITIES
Some of the most common treatments for adrenal fatigue include; replacing depleted hormones, cutting back on exercise and energy output, prioritizing sleep, balancing blood sugar, more sunlight, supplementing with adaptogens and supportive nutrients, increasing healthy fat intake, decreasing sugar intake, and incorporating breathing, meditation, and yoga, etc. Less than one year ago, I would’ve told you that all of the above would rid you of your adrenal fatigue.
ROOT CAUSE
Today, I would argue that it probably wouldn’t. Why? The root cause of adrenal fatigue is not a deficiency in adaptogenic herbs or yoga classes, rather a pattern (typically formed at a young age) of self-neglect and depletion.
THE TRUTH
This pattern looks different on everybody. So, we can absolutely support the physical body, but if we don’t address the deep-rooted beliefs and patterns that cause the physical depletion and self-neglect (not liking or valuing yourself enough), we will never uncover the root of our chronic depletion = adrenal fatigue. In order to overcome adrenal fatigue, and address the cause, it is crucial that you understand and address patterns of self-neglect. It is crucial that you understand that your physical body is simply reflecting how you really feel. In other words, if you feel constantly stressed out, overwhelmed, and rundown, the physical body (your labs) will reflect the truth! Meaning, you cannot "trick" your adrenal glands. They know how you're really doing, how you're feeling about life, and they are constantly reflecting it! If you have poor boundaries and are constantly overextending yourself, and meeting everybody else's needs but your own, your body will reflect this. If you feel like life is ‘too much’, your body will reflect this! The bottom line: the root cause of your adrenal fatigue has so much more to do with your mental and emotional state than it does the other things listed above. When we have healthy boundaries, know how to meet our own needs, value ourselves, take care of ourselves both mentally and physically, feel like the world is a safe place, and adopt a positive mindset, the adrenals will follow suit and heal! No amount of supplementation is going to dig you out of the adrenal fatigue hole! It takes doing "the work".
The mental + emotional work. ❤️🩷🧡💛💚💙🩵💜
