Dealing with Stress and Fatigue
Stress can manifest in various physical forms, most of which can have a significant impact on your overall wellbeing and health. Are you wondering if stress could be affecting your health? Stress is a huge factor when it comes to your health and is often one that is left for last. Addressing stress could resolve many of your symptoms, before you even start to change your diet. These are some possible signs that your busy life and overactive mind could be having a contributor to your symptoms.
You find it hard to fall asleep and stay asleep. Waking up throughout the night and waking up not feeling well rested.
Gut issues such as constipation, diarrhoea or lack of appetite.
Increase in depression, anxiety or irritability and anger.
Feeling more overwhelmed, exhausted and fatigued.
Having headaches, muscle aches, pain and tension.
A simple breathing exercise known as the 4,7,8 breath can turn off this stress response in less than 2 minutes!
Adrenals, Fatigue + Stress
There are many aspects of your health that need to be nourished and looked after when it comes to maintaining homeostasis within the body. An important factor towards dealing with fatigue and stress is making sure you are looking after your Adrenals. A good place to start is with nutrition, supplementation and gentle yet effective exercises.
Eating for Adrenal Health
Cut out the CRAP
Carbonated drinks, refined sugars, artificial additives/alcohol and processed foods.
Eat real food
Everyone is starting from a different point, you may be shifting from a standard Australian diet, you may have already started introducing whole foods, or you may already be on the GAPS/gut healing path.
Make small changes
The best thing you can do is start with the easiest steps you can take- eg. changing breakfast to something high in fat and protein, then making desserts that are refined sugar free etc.
Foods to focus on
Fat, protein and cholesterol. Yep. We need lots of these! Animal fats, dairy fats, and also plant fats like olive oil and avocado.A moderate amount of protein with every meal is ideal, particularly when first changing your diet. Fats and proteins together help balance your blood sugar and keep you fuller longer (important for your adrenals that you keep blood sugar in check!). Once you start doing this, you will be able to reduce your reliance on stimulants like coffee!
Herbs for Adrenal Health
Here are some of our favourite Adrenal loving herbs picked by our naturopath Bec -
Rehmannia - restorative to the adrenal glands and gently nourishes them back to health
Withania - regulates the imbalanced cortisol level and nourishing the adrenal glands
Siberian ginseng - fights fatigue and boosts energy
Schisandra - nurtures the adrenal glands and turns down an overproduction of “stress hormones” like cortisol
Rhodiola - can support energy levels and optimise concentration in those with adrenal fatigue
Always remember to talk to your healthcare practitioner before supplementing with herbs!
Simple exercises for Adrenal Health
Exercises to reduce stress breathing
Mindfulness
Positivity
Earthing and Nature
If you want some help getting to the bottom of your fatigue and stress, book a free 20 minute consultation with one of our expert practitioners here