Too many of us wear stress and busy lifestyles like a medal or something to be proud of. Unfortunately, the medal that goes along with stress is usually adrenal fatigue. If you’re one that burns the candle at both ends, leaves stress unchecked, and exists on coffee and nutritionally devoid food, then this is something you might need to address.
I can completely relate to this, and of any area in my body, my adrenals are my one spot of constant check in. It is so easy for us to begin taking on more then we can handle, or more then our bodies can cope with, even though you may ‘believe’ your fine…until the walls start caving in, your body starts breaking down and you begin to feel completely out of touch with your true sense of being.
The adrenal glands are two endocrine glands that sit on top of the kidneys. Their main responsibility is for regulating the stress response through the production and secretion of cortisol (belly-fat creator) and adrenaline (insert person with strung out crazy look and typically someone who does everything at mock speed.) you will often find yourself hearing this person sigh outwardly A LOT and you telling them to relax.
Let me break it down for you:
Over-worked adrenal glands = big problems for your health, a big belly & huge ass!
Your adrenal glands are super important for a healthy immune system. They are necessary for proper thyroid function, balancing your hormones, maintaining your ideal weight, stabilising your emotions, controlling your cravings and much more. They are pretty much the regulators of your body, and sorting them out may be the key to solving many of your unexplained health challenges.
How do we know if our adrenals are fatigued? Unfortunately, because of the nature of our fast-paced lifestyles, this is a condition that can go unchecked because we just get so used to feeling less than brilliant.
However, common symptoms include:
  • Excessive sweating or perspiration from little activity
  • Lower back pain and/or knee weakness or pain, especially on the side
  • Dark circles under the eyes
  • Dizziness
  • Muscle twitches
  • Low blood sugar
  • Heart palpitations
  • Sensitivity to light, or difficulty seeing at night
  • A craving for salt
  • Low stamina for stress, and easily irritated
  • Excessive mood responses after eating carbohydrates such as pasta, breads and sugar
  • Chronic infections (bacterial, viral, fungal, yeast)
  • Low blood pressure
  • Light-headedness on standing up
  • Tired but wired feeling, poor sleep, difficulty getting out of bed in the morning
  • Cravings for sweets and carbs, intolerance to alcohol
  • Premature aging
  • Dry, unhealthy skin with excess pigmentation
  • Lack of libido
  • Cystic breasts
  • Tendency to startle easily
  • Negative response to thyroid hormone
  • Poor concentration and fuzzy thinking
Simple Ways To Support Your Adrenals
1. Sleep. Seven to eight hours a night is ideal, and if you can get to bed between 10pm -11pm you get extra points. This is when our bodies do most of their healing.
2. Schedule  a soul-appointment as part of your daily or weekly routine, and make it a priority.
3. Practice ‘aware’ breathing every day.
4. Incorporate yoga into your routine 2-5 days per week. Create a balance of challenging slightly uncomfortable classes with those that allow you to unwind and chill out.
5. Eliminate refined sugar and processed carbs. They are empty calories and do nothing besides stress out your adrenals, affect your blood sugar, make you gain weight, negatively affect your skin and hair and create a super biatch attitude.
6. Eat a clean diet of organic, fresh, mainly vegetarian based meals. Load up on vegetables, fruits, raw nuts and seeds, dairy alternatives, legumes, beans and whole grains.
7. Break up with Joe ~ your cup of Joe that is! Swap your caffeine fix for green tea, peppermint tea, dandelion and chicory root tea or nice clean water with chlorophyll or fresh lemon juice.
Be clean, restore your relationship with your body, shake your booty and smile…
LOVE THIS LIFE
xo peeps,
Jenn
Posted in Exercise/Personal Training, Nutrition, Womens Wellness Group, yoga/pilates and tagged , , , ,