Feeling wired and tired? 3 Simple ways to balance your stress hormone cortisol.
When we are stressed, our hormone cortisol increases to help us have the energy to deal with stress. It changes the way sugar is used, and shuts certain body systems off while turning others on. Cortisol saves us from the “stressors”, and when everything is back to normal, the body can repair itself. Chronic stress means cortisol is always being secreted, and the body cannot repair itself, which eventually leads to you burning out.
Cortisol is secreted from the adrenal gland (a tiny gland that sits on top of the kidney). The name “adrenal fatigue” is not technically correct, as the adrenal gland is not getting tired, instead cortisol stores are getting low.
Listed below are some of the most common symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue:
Morning fatigue: You don't really seem to "wake up" until 10 a.m., even if you've been awake since 7 a.m.
Afternoon "low": Feelings of sleepiness or clouded thinking from 2 to 4 p.m.
Burst of energy at 6 p.m: You finally feel better from your afternoon lull.
Sleepiness at 9 to 10 p.m: However, you resist going to sleep.
"Second wind" at 11 p.m: This lasts until about 1 a.m., when you finally go to sleep. Or waking at 1am.
Cravings for foods high in salt and fat.
Increased PMS or menopausal symptoms.
Mild depression.
Lack of energy.
Decreased ability to handle stress.
Muscular weakness.
Increased allergies.
Lightheadedness when getting up from a sitting or laying down position.
Decreased sex drive.
Frequent sighing.
Inability to handle foods high in potassium or carbohydrates unless they're combined with fats and protein.
If you decrease stress, and support he adrenal glands the body will begin to function normally, therefore; your energy will return.
Treating adrenal fatigue:
Adopting a natural whole-foods diet. Lowering carbs and increasing fats.
Drinking high quality water, not from the tap. Distilled, alkaline or spring waters are best.
Adding sea salt to your diet, replacing your table salt.
Taking 2,000 to 5,000 milligrams of vitamin C each day.
Taking a high strength B-complex supplement and remineralization support. (consider thiamine).
Adding ashwahanda and kelp to your diet.
Doing a detox and using an infra red sauna.
Replacing toxic chemical products non-toxic alternatives (home, body and workplace).
Spending some time in the sun each day.
Doing something fun each day LAUGH!
Getting lots of rest.. sleep as much as possible!
Exercising: be careful to not push it and conserve energy.
Minimizing stress: Heartmath breathing.
Taking negative people out of your life.
And of course Acupuncture and Herbs! Probably one of the most quickest and easiest way to balance the body and right imbalances.