Does this sound like someone you know?
In times of stress, the simple things that create balance in our lives, such as sleep or eating on a schedule seem impossible. Our energy is spent and we feel completely exhausted. This is what is called ‘adrenal fatigue’.
People who experience adrenal fatigue can still manage the day-to-day responsibilities in their lives, but inside, they are constantly living with a feeling of pushing themselves too far. To keep up with the daily demands, these exhausted people rely on stimulants such as coffee and sweets. Yes, I’ve been there, too.
When our body is constantly over-worked, undernourished and chronically exposed to caffeine and sugar with no sign of a break, our body has to compensate by gearing up the adrenal gland. Located just about the kidneys, our adrenal glands pump out cortisol and other potent stress hormones. Stress hormones are responsible for the ‘fight or flight’ response, which keep us alert and awake. Chronic stress sends our body into prolonged ‘fight or flight’ mode. Eventually, we bottom out on our stress hormones and the adrenals plummet into exhaustion. Adrenal fatigue occurs when the adrenal glands are no longer able to adapt to any more stress.
If our body is chronically drenched in cortisol (the major stress hormone), here’s what’s going on in the body:
your blood sugar gets a roller coaster ride, increasing snacking impulses and cravings for rich, sweet and salty foods
it becomes harder to get a good night sleep and you tend to wake up around 3-4am
your heart pumps harder, increasing the heart rate and blood pressure
your metabolism changes, fat tends to deposit around the waist
your have lowered energy in general, you might experience cloudy-headedness or slight irritation and you rely on caffeine for energy
People with over-worked adrenal glands often blame themselves for being ‘lazy’ or ‘unmotivated’, but quite the opposite is true. They tend to be very Type-A people and have pushed themselves beyond their body’s limit.
If the above list describes you, here’s my top 2 energy-boosting tips for that can make a difference in your day right away. These tip have made an incredible amount of difference for me. Are you ready to get started?
Tip #1: Drink 2L of water everyday.
Do you know a 5% drop in hydration level can reduce your energy by 20-25%? Studies have shown hydration level can impact your physical endurance, cognitive performance, detoxification, and caloric intake.
* Sweet & Savoury Tip: use a BPA free water bottle to keep track your water intake. For example, for a 700ml bottle, aim to finish 3 bottles a day.
Tip #2: Add 3-5 servings of fresh vegetables into your diet. Simple as that!
* Sweet & Savoury Tip: you can use your fist as a reference for 1 serving of vegetables. Use this infographic as a guide for other foods.
For more ways to enjoy vegetables, I have put together 5 of my favourites recipes that are packed with adrenal boosting nutrients. Click here to try it out for free.
Stay tuned for my favourite adrenal-loving recipes and energy-boosting tips coming up weekly!
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