By: Derek Henry
In this period of higher mental stress, poor nutrition,
pervasive toxins, and overuse of stimulants, it has become difficult to
properly support the adrenals. As a result, people have become afflicted with
poor energy, bad sleep, obnoxious cravings, and a roller coaster of emotions.
There are several solutions to help balance depleted adrenals and it often
takes a multifaceted approach. Start by considering these four factors, and
with proper implementation, you can recover from adrenal fatigue.
Manage your mindset
The primary
reason your adrenals are kaput will ultimately lead back to your mindset, to
some degree. The thoughts you initiate, foster, and emotionalize determine your
state of mental balance, and if the balance is overwhelmingly negative, this state
of constant “fight or flight” will deplete adrenal energy. Stay unbalanced long
enough and you will eventually wear out your adrenals, which will leave you
with a wide variety of ailments.
To combat this you have several weapons at your disposal, but the primary thought pattern you need to practice is perspective. Consider a paradigm shift in which you focus on those things in your life that make you happy and live in that space more often. Slow down the constant chatter and noise in your head by connecting to nature, or by practicing meditation. Consider “being” instead of “doing”. Stay in the moment more. Stop obsessing about negative things the past or in the future. Start having more fun. Laugh, express gratitude, breathe deeply, and enjoy life on your terms!
To help with this process, consider anxiety relieving herbs like chamomile and passion flower, essential oils like lavender and frankincense, Bach flower remedies, and EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique).
To combat this you have several weapons at your disposal, but the primary thought pattern you need to practice is perspective. Consider a paradigm shift in which you focus on those things in your life that make you happy and live in that space more often. Slow down the constant chatter and noise in your head by connecting to nature, or by practicing meditation. Consider “being” instead of “doing”. Stay in the moment more. Stop obsessing about negative things the past or in the future. Start having more fun. Laugh, express gratitude, breathe deeply, and enjoy life on your terms!
To help with this process, consider anxiety relieving herbs like chamomile and passion flower, essential oils like lavender and frankincense, Bach flower remedies, and EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique).
Proper sleep
Proper sleep patterns are crucial for the health of your
entire body, including your adrenals. Not obeying the body’s natural biological
clock, leads to abnormal and untimely secretions of the main sleep-wake
hormones, melatonin and cortisol, which then leads to erratic biological rhythms
and disrupts the harmonious functioning of your body.
If you don’t maintain this biological rhythm, your cortisol levels (controlled by your adrenals) could become too high in the evening and too low in the morning, which will disturb your sleep patterns. Over time, this lack of sleep will leave you mentally exhausted and set you up for more perceived negative experiences, which puts additional strain on your adrenals.
To get in the proper rhythm, ensure you get to bed by no later than 11 p.m., and get at least 8 hours of sleep.
If you don’t maintain this biological rhythm, your cortisol levels (controlled by your adrenals) could become too high in the evening and too low in the morning, which will disturb your sleep patterns. Over time, this lack of sleep will leave you mentally exhausted and set you up for more perceived negative experiences, which puts additional strain on your adrenals.
To get in the proper rhythm, ensure you get to bed by no later than 11 p.m., and get at least 8 hours of sleep.
Adaptogenic herbs
Another key to good health is adapting to circumstances
we are exposed to in our lives. The adrenals play a major role in our ability
to adapt, and the more depleted they become; the less able we are to properly
respond to our circumstances.
Adaptogenic herbs are critical for adapting effectively to the chronic stress we face today. They assist in modulating the stress response in order for us to enhance stress adaptation, which can then take significant pressure off our adrenals and help rebuild them over time.
Adaptogenic herbs are critical for adapting effectively to the chronic stress we face today. They assist in modulating the stress response in order for us to enhance stress adaptation, which can then take significant pressure off our adrenals and help rebuild them over time.
Avoid or remedy
those things that cause adrenal fatigue. The following
herbs are used to treat adrenal fatigue:
Licorice: Sometimes used alone, sometimes in
conjunction with Panax ginseng and Bupleurum falcatum–especially used for
people who have damaged adrenal output by long term steroid use? Warning:
licorice can raise blood pressure.
Rhodiola: Adaptogen–helps the body adapt to
stress.
Shisandra: Also an adaptogen–helps the body
adapt to stress.
Holy Basil: Also an adaptogenic–helps the
body adapt to stress.
Ashwagandha root: Increases in T3 and T4, supports
thyroid and adrenals, balances hormones.
Astragalus: Improves immune system, adrenal
function, and reduces stress.
Ginseng Root: Revitalizes the adrenals and balances
hormones.
When improving the function of any organ, gland, or
system, the whole body needs to be taken into consideration. In the case of
adrenal function, we must realize that supporting other areas of the body is
just as important as supporting the area that directly affects their optimal
function.
For example, an overabundance of Candida in the intestinal system will eventually cause adrenal fatigue. In order to restore proper adrenal function, the digestive system must be cleaned up by eliminating Candida and other pathogenic microorganisms.
In order to do this, one must strongly consider the elimination of any stimulants (like coffee or soda), sugar (including foods high in sugar), refined flour products, dairy, vinegars (ACV is fine), alcohol, and gluten. Then, one must consider daily consumption of green leafy vegetables, seaweed, algae, fermented foods, chia, and other enzyme, probiotic, and fibre-rich foods.
For example, an overabundance of Candida in the intestinal system will eventually cause adrenal fatigue. In order to restore proper adrenal function, the digestive system must be cleaned up by eliminating Candida and other pathogenic microorganisms.
In order to do this, one must strongly consider the elimination of any stimulants (like coffee or soda), sugar (including foods high in sugar), refined flour products, dairy, vinegars (ACV is fine), alcohol, and gluten. Then, one must consider daily consumption of green leafy vegetables, seaweed, algae, fermented foods, chia, and other enzyme, probiotic, and fibre-rich foods.
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