First off, you’re probably wondering what the heck is Adrenal fatigue. Well, in all honesty, it’s basically a hard term to explain. For one reason, there’s actually no medical judgement for it due to a vast array of symptoms and underlying conditions associated with it.
Fairly often, most people who actually suffer from it explain how they constantly ‘feel tired’. In fact, they may often feel weak or tired all the time, be extremely sensitive to sunlight or bright light in general, or maybe have hypoglycemia, insomnia, or some other condition.
Let’s face it, you always seem tired or fatigued, maybe a little or even a lot lazier than normal, but the bottom-line is, you just don’t feel right. It seems a little obvious at this point, the symptoms are varying in nature, however, there’s one common indicator that binds all these together, and that is, a basic sense of unease.
Your adrenal glands are small organs located above your kidneys. The primary function of the adrenal glands is to cope with stress by producing adrenaline or cortisol.
Your immune system, metabolism, blood pressure levels and other functions are directly or indirectly regulated by your adrenal glands. So, treating this condition is best approached in a holistic manner because there is no real root cause for it.
Your central nervous system is taxed and your body is in ‘imbalance’. Once you fix the underlying problems, your adrenals will recover and you’ll be back in optimal health.
1. Change-up your diet
This is probably the most important tip of the lot. Include more plant-based foods in your diet. Cut down your consumption of sugar and salt.
Sugar causes inflammation and salt affects your blood pressure levels adversely. By cleaning up your diet and consuming nutritious foods, your body will not need to spend precious energy clearing toxin from your system.
Within a few days, you’ll start feeling the difference.
This is especially true if you eliminate stimulants like energy drinks from your diet. Eliminating alcohol, artificial sweeteners and hydrogenated vegetable oils from your diet is highly recommended.
2. Pay attention to how you sleep
Establish a fixed sleep schedule. If you need 8 hours of sleep a day, it’s best to go to bed earlier.
Trying to get by on 6 hours of sleep will leave you feeling drained and you’ll constantly feel sleep deprived.
Do not measure the amount of sleep you should get based on other people’s habits. Some people need less sleep than others. Trying to get more done by sleeping less is counterproductive.
You’ll feel better and be more efficient when you’re well-rested. Do make sure you get quality sleep by sleeping in a dark, cool room.
3. Start incorporating stretching routines and add de-stressing methods
Stretching will help to prevent tight muscles and reduce tension in your body. The goal is to feel limber and relaxed. Spend some time daily stretching your shoulders, hamstrings, neck and back. These areas are usually the tightest.
De-stressing refers to you proactively taking a ‘time out’ to give yourself a mental break from the stresses of the daily world. Some people do this with meditation. Others prefer long walks. For some, a day at the beach works wonders.
There are no hard and fast rules here. Do what makes you feel good and happy.
4. Watch your movement
If you feel like you’re suffering from adrenal fatigue, the last thing you should do is engage in tough training regimens. Forget lifting heavy weights or high intensity interval training.
It’s best to just go for a walk or a swim. Any activity that is leisurely but involves movement e.g. cycling, golf, dancing, etc. is beneficial to you. Exercise will cause the body to release endorphins so you feel good.
5. Try adding supplements
It’s best to consume supplements while on a clean diet, just to give you the added edge. Vitamin D is important for lifting your moods. Magnesium is great too. Ashwagandha will calm your nerves.
Besides that, you should take a fish oil tablet and a greens supplement too. Do your research and see what supplements will help your needs and test them out. Do speak to your doctor first, before consuming any supplement.
These 5 tips alone, if applied regularly, will help to ease your adrenal fatigue and you’ll recover within a week or two. It’s just a matter of detoxing your body and relaxing your mind.
Good health habits are imperative for preventing adrenal fatigue and also recovering from it.
Examine and analyze many of the things you do daily and begin to back away from those harmful and negative things and start introducing better health habits into your life. In no time at all, you’ll soon discover how much better you look and feel.
