How stress and your adrenal system leads to fatigue.
I will try to make this as simple as possible.
ANY form of stress will initially lead to an increase in energy.
Stress leads to an increase in the hormone cortisol.
Increase in cortisol leads to sugars being secreted in the body to be converted to energy.
More energy is available to RUN or FIGHT.
But what happens if you have chronic stress?
Chronic stress leads to an eventual decrease in cortisol secretion, a condition known as hypocortisolism.
Hypocortisolism is commonly found in patients who suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Fibromyalgia, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sleep Disorders, and Asthma.
The prevailing theory is that overstimulation of the stress response system leads to a decrease in activity of the adrenal glands so that it just makes less cortisol.
Lower cortisol secretion leads to general fatigue.
Simple.
.....
So what can be done?
Step 1- Allow the adrenals to rest and recover.
That means you rest and recover.
Rest. Yes, just rest. Get more sleep. Take naps. Chill!
Starting a meditation practice to reduce the stress response.
Walking daily for 20 minutes helps reduce stress
Foods rich in Vitamin B help support the adrenals (beef, chicken, eggs, organ meats).
Step 2- "Repair" the adrenals and HPA axis.
That can be done with nutritional supplements. (Links to Standard Process supplements).
Ashwagandha to help support proper adrenal function
Glandulars to support "rebuilding" of the adrenals
B-vitamins to support a healthy adrenal gland and cortisol utilization
Step 3- Make some changes.
Perhaps the most difficult thing to do is to change our habits. We tend to be creatures of habit and it often takes something significant to create change.
If you are struggling with fatigue, consider yourself lucky as it may be an early warning sign that you need to address your stressful habits.
There is no simple answer but here is what I have found helpful. Ask yourself the following questions:
What is really important to me?
How can I adjust my life to reflect what is most important to me?
Am I acting or reacting? If I am reacting, don't do it.
Do yourself a favor. Take the steps above and start feeling better.
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