How To Overcome Adrenal Fatigue

A year ago I was laying on my yoga mat in savasana, soaking wet in a combination of sweat and rain.

It had started pouring on my walk to the studio, and I was stuck without an umbrella.

As calm as I felt in that moment of cool, detoxifying bliss and surrender, I could still feel my nerves grating beneath the surface of my yoga high.

I’d been experiencing brain fog, anxiety, and debilitating fatigue for the past year.

I was seeing all types of healers, doctors, and therapists to try to get to the bottom of this deep feeling of tension and unease that felt like it was constricting the center of my body, hips, and even my brain.

Although I had had an operation recently (another story for another day), and fatigue and brain fog were possible side effects, I had been experiencing these symptoms long before the accident.

After seeing more acupuncturists, nutritionists, and therapists than I can count on both hands, I finally found a Health Coach who “got me,” and swiftly identified my condition as adrenal fatigue.

It turned out I could blame two pea-sized organs, perched atop my kidneys, for the years of dull yet profound strain on my body and mind.

This woman was my angel.

We worked together for six months to get to the root of my adrenal fatigue and heal it.

After going through this deeply healing and enlightening process, I felt like a new woman.

The tension from my body had dissipated.

I felt light, happy, and incredibly focused.

At this point, I knew I had to go full swing with my health coaching practice.

I’d been dipping my toes in the water and playing with various approaches, but now I knew that I had real work to do.

I’m on this earth to serve others, and in turn, serve myself.

Because when our work is in service, it nurtures us too.

I want people to realize that they don’t have to go through life feeling just “fine” – they can wake up feeling incredibly energized and focused, almost every day.

Today one of my specialties in my health coaching practice is chronic adrenal fatigue, and I feel honored to be able to share helpful information with so many women.

It’s nearly impossible to truly enjoy yourself and reach your full potential when you simply do not feel good – run down, stressed, anxious, and the worst – apathetic.

Life is rich and full and juicy, and when your senses are dulled by adrenal fatigue, it’s difficult to really experience the sheer beauty of each day.

Adrenal fatigue is both emotional and physical.

Two of the primary culprits are lifestyle stress and dietary stimulants.

Does stress cause adrenal fatigue?

When you’re stressed and anxious all the time, your adrenal glands produce stress hormones that put your body into the fight-or-flight response.

Over time, this can lead to debilitating fatigue and brain fog, along with a raft of other symptoms like anxiety, digestive issues, and hormone imbalances.

The answer? Manage your stress.

Easier said than done, I know.

Our society glorifies busyness so much, but the truth is, the more hours you work and strain you put on your body, the lower the quality of your work.

Your actual productivity decreases when you clock too many hours, because your brain can only function at an optimal level for a certain amount of time.

At a certain point, it’s time to shut down, unwind, and reboot.

Yoga and meditation are great tools for quieting your mind and reducing stress.

Even 10 minutes of yoga and meditation can work wonders for stress levels.

Do caffeine and alcohol cause adrenal fatigue?

Stimulants like caffeine, alcohol, and sugar can contribute to adrenal fatigue.

As a first step, simply notice how you feel after you drink or eat these substances.

They cause blood sugar to spike then crash, leaving you fatigued and listless.

Stimulants also trigger cortisol production, a stress hormone that can make you store excess fat, especially around your midsection.

When your body is producing cortisol all the time, it’s in that fight-or-flight state that’s so taxing on your adrenals, and should be reserved for true emergencies.

Experiment with reducing alcohol and sugar, using alternatives like seltzer with a splash of juice, kombucha, raw honey, and dates.

Reducing stimulants can have challenging side effects – headaches and extreme fatigue, most notably – but the clarity and genuine energy on the other side of the detox period is worth it.

By slowly reducing stimulants you can ease your detox symptoms and make your transition smoother.

How To Overcome Adrenal Fatigue

In my health coaching practice I support women experiencing adrenal fatigue by creating custom action plans for them to reclaim their energy and health without going on a restrictive diet.

Bio-individuality is key when dealing with adrenal fatigue – what works for one person may not work for the next.

The reason my programs work is because I’ve studied a range of dietary theories and lifestyle approaches, and do not teach one method.

Rather, I look at the person as a whole and identify weak points, then bridge the gap between where they are and where they want to be.

The result?

Boundless energy, great digestion, healthy weight, deep focus, mental clarity, more ease and enjoyment, and ultimately, more happiness.

I’m so fulfilled knowing that I can help people feel great in their bodies again.

As someone who struggled deeply with adrenal fatigue, it’s a dream to help others conquer it.

Are you dealing with adrenal fatigue?

How is it impacting you, and how might your life change if you could overcome it?

I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

Warmly,
Lula