STRESS & ADRENAL HEALTH
Stress is a fact of life
– and it can be both good and bad for us!
You have two small glands sitting at the top of each kidney, known as the adrenal glands. They play an important role in your body’s endocrine (hormonal) system.
These glands are responsible for your ‘fight or flight’ response.
Our stress response is designed to help us in situations that are incredibly challenging or truly dangerous.
To keep us sharp and focused on dealing with the stressful situation (both internally and externally), our stress response slows down or shuts off functions that seem to be less pressing.
This includes immune system function, reproductive function, and digestion.
Fight or Flight v’s Rest and Digest
Although major traumatic events and extremely high-stress situations can certainly lead to adrenal fatigue, in a lot of cases I find that the biggest problem is chronic, low-level stress.
This is the kind of stress that just lingers around all the time, meaning that our bodies are in a near-constant state of fight-or-flight, instead of returning to normal after a danger has passed.
It’s important to understand that when we talk about stress for our bodies, we’re not just talking about emotional and mental stress (worries related to family, relationships, work, money, etc).
Stressors can also include things like chronic exposure to toxins, inflammatory foods, or hidden imbalances within the body.
“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” – Confucius
Adrenal exhaustion is a term often used to umbrella symptoms including fatigue, body aches, mild anxiety, sleep disturbances and digestive issues (however, it’s important to recognise they may be symptomatic of other illnesses).
STRESS IS A FACT OF LIFE – AND IT CAN BE BOTH GOOD AND BAD FOR US!
Stress affects all body systems – respiratory, endocrine, gut, reproductive nervous, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems.
Over an extended period,
chronic stress can lead to many health disorders such as:
- Gut dysbiosis, heartburn, IBS
- Anxiety and depression
- Hormonal imbalances (eg menstrual disorders, infertility)
- Chronic immune disorders
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Chronic fatigue
It also affects our sense of happiness, fulfillment, and ability to enjoy relationships.
A healthy lifestyle and naturopathic support can help adrenal issues.
Generally, adopting a healthy lifestyle may help with fatigue – that means rest, the right foods, reducing or eliminating alcohol and caffeine and regular mild exercise.
Yoga, meditation and tai chi are all excellent to simultaneously balance mind and body.
FIGHT OR FLIGHT V’S REST AND DIGEST
As a naturopath, I get great results with clients using adaptagenic herbs, vitamins and minerals that work together to nourish your immune system, soothe anxiety and fight adrenal exhaustion zapped by stress.
Book an Adrenal Health Consultation
At the clinic, I use functional pathology testing to figure out what is going on with your adrenal glands.
Adrenocortex Test – Salivary cortisol testing is the most accurate hormone test that evaluates levels of important stress hormones, such as cortisol and DHEA, in the body. It can help to uncover hormone imbalances that may be linked to anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, obesity, and many other conditions.
For your Adrenocortex Test click the button below to book in a consultation.
If you’re not looking for one-on-one naturopathic coaching but want to get your health back on track, I have just the thing for you.
GoodGutz program?
If you’ve ever felt that you were missing out on the healthiest you could be, I’d love you to join me for GoodGutz.
In my naturopathic designed, six week GoodGutz Program, I’ll guide you through how to make gut healing choices, that will have long-term lasting results.
Click here to find out more!
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