1. Do you absolutely need coffee to get you going in the morning?
2. Do you feel exceptionally tired in the mornings and again between 3-5 in the afternoon?
3. Do you struggle with brain fog and a certain lack of clarity or memory?
4. Have you gained weight particularly around the middle?
5. Do you feel tired between 7-10 in the evening but get a second wind afterward?
Full disclosure: at one time my answer was yes to each one of these questions. Not only did I have these symptoms but many more including catching every cold bug going around, feeling lightheaded if I stood up too quickly and pain in my upper back and neck for no explainable reason.
So, if you answered yes to these questions then there’s a real possibility you have some level of adrenal fatigue.
What is An Adrenal Gland?
The adrenals are small glands located above the kidneys.
What Do Adrenal Glands Do And Why Are They Important?
Adrenal glands are responsible for life-giving and life-sustaining hormones including cortisol and the sex hormones. Adrenal glands help burn protein and fat and help control blood sugar. They also assist us with handling stressors that occur in everyday life.
To be so small, they play a huge role in how we feel and how well our bodies function.
What are Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue?
- Insatiable fatigue (even after a restful sleep)
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain or pressure
- Mood swings
- Autoimmune problems
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Brain Fog
- Lightheadedness
are just some of the symptoms.
Now, of course, it’s possible to have these symptoms and it is caused by something other than adrenal fatigue.
Either way, if you are experiencing any of these symptoms on a regular basis, it’s time for a visit to your healthcare professional.
Just saying.
What Helped Relieve My Symptoms Of Adrenal Fatigue?
The first thing I did was stop drinking coffee for three days straight.
Yep, cold turkey.
Now I know for some of you this seems like an impossibility but I am here to tell you it is possible – not easy, maybe not even fun, but certainly possible and absolutely mandatory if you want to get your adrenals back in balance.
Three days off of coffee will help to reset your adrenals and give them a much-needed break.
Three days only, and then, you can (if you so desire) add back one cup per day – no more than one cup per day for that first week.
The second week you may add another cup but absolutely no more than two cups a day. Once a week try to go for no coffee for an entire day and at least once a month
The next thing I did was purchase a quality supplement that supports the adrenals. Some great supplements for adrenal fatigue are:
Rhodiola Roscea
Holy Basil
Licorice Root
Ashwaganda (no, not Wakanda, Ashwaganda)
Eat more healthy fats like salmon, avocados, coconut oil. Healthy fats not only keep you fuller longer ( a great side affect) but also help to decrease inflammation.
Make sure you consume enough vitamin C, magnesium, zinc and vitamin D. Each of these not only support healthy thyroid function but adrenal function as well.
If you are unable to get it through your diet, consider a quality multivitamin. These days a quality multivitamin is essential.
Finally, get your body moving. You don’t have to join a gym or do hours of aerobics.
A brisk 30-minute walk five days a week will help you feel better, look better, sleep better, be better. If you want, add in two sessions of weight-bearing exercise twice a week.
If you can’t do 30 minutes five days a week, start small. Ten minutes a day is better than none. As each week passes add another five minutes each day.
Until next time,
Blessings!