(WellnessPursuits.com) – Medical science is showing more and more frequently that our bodies are begging for a break. With the constant influx of stressors in a society whose pace of everyday life buzzes so loud it’s practically audible, our bodies are working overtime to keep up.
As stress levels continue to rise with the additional strain from restrictions due to the Coronavirus, it’s become more important than ever to look out for the signs of adrenal fatigue.
Hidden Signs That Your Adrenal Glands Are Exhausted
Tiny in stature but mighty in power, the adrenal glands are in charge of regulating must-have hormones. Most notably, they manage reproductive hormones and cortisol (aka – the stress hormone).
The body lives in a state of delicate balance when it comes to our hormones. Just a little too much or too little of any given hormone can leave us feeling like we just got hit by a train. So how do you know if your adrenals are in trouble or simply exhausted?
1. You Can’t Handle Stress Like You Used to.
When your adrenals are overworked, you will find that you have a much harder time coping with stress. Driven by the same lack of hormones that drives your energy into the ground, stress sensitivity can be impossible to deal with and can leave you running on empty.
Unfortunately, the more stress you’ve got going on, the more that your adrenals will cry out for help. As you begin to feel more tired and less healthy, stress drags you down even more.
2. You’ve Been Feeling Like a Complete Night Owl.
If you’ve recently fallen victim to what seems like irreparable sleeplessness, you could be getting beaten down by an adult’s nemesis, insomnia. When your adrenals are struggling to keep up with life, your hormone balance is thrown out of whack.
In a healthy person, the body is programmed to release energy-giving hormones in the morning and dial them back in the evening. If you’re feeling out of balance, your body could be doing the opposite.
3. You Just Can’t Get Rid of That Cold.
When your cortisol is within a healthy range, cortisol stimulates your immune system, giving your body an added layer of protection. But, when your cortisol is too high, your immune system can suffer.
Then, similar to leaving your front door unlocked and open, your body welcomes pathogens and bacteria that know how to overstay. If you find yourself with a cold, flu, or virus that you just can’t kick, it might be time to consider problems with your adrenal glands.
4. Your Bed Feels Like a Warm Oasis You Couldn’t Dream of Leaving.
If the dark circles under your eyes have settled in and created a permanent place for themselves under your eyes, it’s time to look into your adrenals. Struggling to get out of bed in the morning no matter how much you sleep is a notoriously sneaky symptom of adrenal fatigue.
Not only can it cause problems for you to show up where you need to be on time, it can also leave you feeling exhausted throughout the day. Again caused by cortisol imbalance, this pesky message from the adrenals can be a sign that the system is having some major problems.
5. Fast Food is Calling Your Name Every Day.
One interesting sign of adrenal interruptions is a salt craving that just won’t quit. The adrenals are also in command of a substance made in your body called “aldosterone”. This lovely little hormone helps control our body’s ability to regulate mineral intake and release.
Not only will an imbalance here cause annoying symptoms like frequent urination, but they can also cause you to lose your stores of minerals like sodium, potassium, and magnesium. This can create cravings, leaving you starving for the drive-thru.
Conquering Adrenal Fatigue:
First and foremost, if you notice any of these symptoms and they don’t seem to clear up in a couple of weeks, you must seek a medical opinion. There is a big difference between Adrenal Fatigue and Adrenal Insufficiency. Adrenal Insufficiency can be from a disease based cause and not something we can possibly fix on our own.
Adrenal Fatigue on the other hand, we can do something about. It’s basically caused by stress. It threatens our lifestyle and sense of well-being and it’s crucial now more than ever to work on better coping skills to get through your daily doses of stress.
So what can you do?
Have you been avoiding taking time to wind down? Do you have a support system in place?Do you have someone you trust to talk to. Since most cases of adrenal fatigue seem to be directly related to stress, reducing your stress levels can help you get back into balance.
Try adding more fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet. Take it easy on foods that over stimulate your adrenal glands — sodas, sugar and excess caffeine.
Break out that yoga mat and get to work on restoring balance in your body through stretching and light exercise. If you think a friend might be struggling with balance too, share this list and start your support system.
Your quality of life depends on the habits you create. If your Adrenal Glands are exhausted, you might strongly consider adopting better stress reducing habits.
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