What are the Signs of Adrenal Fatigue?

Signs of Adrenal Fatigue

One of the best bits about Merrymaker Club is the amazing experts we bring in each month. Our last live monthly session was with Jules Galloway the amazing naturopath. And woah did we learn a heap! We chatted all things Adrenal Fatigue, the signs, symptoms and how we can fight it naturally!

Before we get into Adrenal Fatigue… we better mention the early bird special is on NOW for Merrymaker Club! Get all the info (and drool over the amazing recipe pictures) over here! 

Ok, back to Adrenal Fatigue and the session with the amazing Jules Galloway! 

There were AHA! Moments happening all over the place! 

Jules went into great detail of what the signs and symptoms are of adrenal fatigue. Absolutely fascinating… so we thought we’d share our learnings with y’all! 

What is Adrenal Fatigue?

Adrenal fatigue happens after being stressed for a prolonged time.

Our bodies produce cortisol when stressed… we go into fight or flight mode. As Jules says:

It’s the primitive system in our bodies which is in place to deliver the stress hormones (cortisol and adrenalin) to the body to make us faster, stronger, and quicker-thinking.

So we get stressed and we’re able to run away from the tiger, bear, dinosaur etc. The only thing is that these days the stuff that causes stress is like mean bosses, traffic jams, money and family issues etc. 

Adrenal-fatigue-traffic

Our adrenals can’t tell that it’s just a traffic jam and the body doesn’t really need the hormonal dump. 

And then… with all the cortisol getting pumped around you actually feel great. Better attention, can work faster and harder. Which sounds #amazing, right?! Wrong! 

Because today’s stressors are a regular thing (traffic jams every day) our bodies are continually pumping out the hormones. 

During the live session Jules said that back in the cave woman days this primitive system of releasing cortisol and adrenalin was only required every now and again because like sabertooth tigers didn’t attack everyday. But now because stress is an everyday thing our bodies are pumping the hormones away, the adrenals become exhausted and don’t function properly and this impacts the whole body! Holey merry moley.

What are the Signs of Adrenal Fatigue? 

  • Tired and fatigued
  • Anxiety
  • Bad sleep
  • Waking up and still tired
  • Insomnia
  • Mood swings
  • Depression
  • Low sex drive
  • Thyroid issues
  • Low blood pressure 
  • Low immunity
  • Weight gain
  • Caffeine makes you jittery or no reaction

Coffee-adrenal-fatigue 2

We reckon there might be a couple reactions after reading this list. Something like…

OMG I have all these… I have adrenal fatigue! *Spends 2 hours googling adrenal fatigue and ordering all the products to help*

Eeeeek I have some of those and I haven’t been feeling that well. But I’m sure I am fine! I AM FINE! *shuffles awkwardly and changes the subject fast because deep down you just know something is not right*

You Have Adrenal Fatigue…

First step is to get tested for it. Dr Google can’t actually diagnose you (unfortunately). Talk to your naturopath (don’t have one? Jules is great!) and get the tests done so you know exactly what you’re dealing with.

So what can you do right NOW? Jules recommends eating a diet free of sugar, gluten, dairy and most grains (can tick that off if you follow the Merrymaker lifestyle!). Adding meditation and mindfulness everyday. Healing the gut. Gentle exercise, think yoga, pilates and walking.

There are also supplements you can add to your diet. Like…

  • B vitamins
  • Magnesium
  • Ashwaganda/withania
  • Teas like lemon balm, camomile, licroice 
  • Other prescribed herbs

The key to reading information like this is to not feel overwhelmed and stressed. Because we all now know what stress can do! If you’re kinda thinking you might have adrenal fatigue, maybe you were just meant to read this post. So you can explore further and seek help from an expert.  

Want to send a huge hug and kiss to Jules Galloway for sharing her epic knowledge with us and the Merrymaker Clubbers! Seriously… knowledge  is power! Yew!

Always merrymaking,

Emma + Carla

We got all these images from Unsplash.

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