When you have adrenal issues, capitalizing on a blissful, yoga filled morning routine sounds nice in theory, but can be hard to implement. Mornings are far and wide, one of the hardest points in the day for those struggling with adrenal issues. If you can relate, this morning routine can be completed in under 10 minutes and is one that will nourish you up and put you in the right headspace, while letting you capitalize on extra sleep and minimal energy expenditure.
Overcoming Productivity Guilt
Many of us, are ADDICTED to getting stuff done... and many of us, are addicted to social media that is constantly reminding us of all the things we SHOULD be getting done.The combination easily leads to a feeling that we call “productivity guilt” which is a relentless feeling of not doing enough or not functioning at an optimal level.
When we live this way, nothing is enough and we can slip into a space where we constantly feel overwhelmed by the pressures we put on ourselves. When we live this way, how can we expect to feel at ease?
Make Your Health a Priority... but ACTUALLY do it!
It’s easy to say, “I want to make my health a priority” but how do you put it into action and hold yourself accountable?
When you are fatigued and burnt-out it’s easy to use your fatigue and lack of energy as an excuse.. and when we do this perpetually it keeps us stuck. Here are our tips for staying accountable and helping you to continue moving forward.
Holidays with Adrenal Fatigue: 5 Tips to Survive and Thrive
Why is it that when we are supposed to be celebrating tradition and spending quality time with family and friends we find ourselves ridiculously busy, stress and on the verge of burnout? The holidays can be a challenging time even for the healthiest of people. When you have adrenal fatigue the added stress that the holiday season brings can lead to major adrenal burnout and flare-ups. Here are 5 secrets to surviving the holidays with adrenal fatigue (and make sure you stay till the end, we want to give you a special holiday gift. It's a lifesaver).
Tip #1 byof
Bring Your Own Food. The holidays are filled with get-togethers focused around food. If you are suffering from food intolerances or allergies as a result of your adrenal fatigue, you most likely have had to give some foods up along the way. If so, you know how frustrating it can be to go to these gatherings. Bringing your own food means that you can still enjoy food and you don’t have to feel like you’re missing out the entire time.
If you’ve been following me for a while you know that on my adrenal fatigue healing journey I gave up many foods. Actually, the only thing I never gave up eating is vegetables. I gave up dairy, meat, sugar, gluten, grains, you name it I tried it. Not just for a couple weeks, but for months and sometimes even years at a time. And just for the record I am not suggesting that or believe you need to give up a bunch of foods in order to heal your adrenal fatigue. But I get what you’re going through and that’s why I always bring food with me, wherever I go.
I am not suggesting that or believe you need to give up a bunch of foods in order to heal your adrenal fatigue. But I get what you’re going through. That’s why I always bring food with me, wherever I go.
What are your favorite alternative food choices that you don’t want to live without during the holidays? Do you have a good or funny story about sharing your specialty foods with your loved ones?
Tip #2 Boost Your Immune System
During the holiday we do more traveling to the mall, to the supermarket, to events and get-togethers which all bring opportunities to come into contact with germs and other icky bugs that might be lurking around. And because as adrenal fatigue sufferers we already have compromised immune systems, we might be more susceptible and find ourselves constantly “under the weather” at this time of year. Not good! Getting sick would put a huge damper on our capacity to celebrate.
Be pro-active about your health this season. Keep yourself healthy by doing a few things to boost the immune system. Go to sleep just a bit earlier than usual each night. Cut down on the sugar intake when you aren’t out celebrating and (this is one of my favorites) use essential oils to protect yourself. Personally, I use the Doterra Oil called Onguard. This oil can be used internally to support the immune and respiratory system and can also be used externally as a non-toxic cleaner to protect against environmental threats. I use it at the first sign of the sniffles or as a preventive by diffusing it in the house or adding a few drops of distilled water and spraying down germ-infested areas like the airplane seat or grocery cart. I am not saying to walk around being a germaphobe to the point where you create anxiety for yourself or others, but simply being prepared can reduce your risk AND make you feel more in control and empowered.
My other favorite immune boosting ritual is drinking Echinacea tea or taking an Echinacea extract, which you can find at a health food store. Some people like Emergen-C or Airborne which are also great options. What essential vitamins and supplements support your immune system? Make sure you don’t forget to take them.
Tip #3 Don’t Fall Into the Crazy Trap
When everyone around you is running around like a crazy person trying to get everything done it’s easy to feel like that is what you are supposed to do too. Just because our society buys into the belief that this time of year has to be crazy, doesn’t mean that it’s true, or that it has to be true for you—no matter what the people around you are doing. I am telling you that it is possible to avoid that trap. What if you could be that person in line at the supermarket or at the mall while everyone else is huffing and puffing, saying rude things to the checker or just acting annoyed, who is stays cool, calm and collected? You can be an example of what else is possible. And as Gandhi would say “Be the change you want to see in the world”.
Tip # 4 Do Your Shopping Online
We have such a luxury now that didn’t exist even 10 –years-ago where you can pretty much buy anything online that you need. So unless you enjoy being out and about this time of year or you have a great deal of patience consider doing all your shopping this year from the convenience of your own cozy couch. Get yourself a cup of your favorite tea, put on some calming music and shop away. There are lots of options for online shopping these days—it’s not Amazon or nothing. So if you like to shop small or local, check to see if your favorite physical shops have websites…these days you’d be surprised at how many do!
Tip #5 Emotionally Prepare for Your Loved Ones
No matter how close we are to our loved ones or how much we love seeing them during the holidays, it doesn’t negate the fact that family has the ability to bring up a lot of our old “stuff” including limiting beliefs about ourselves, insecurities, failures, etc.
Prepare yourself emotionally by taking some time before you see them to center yourself. Say positive affirmations to yourself. Remind yourself how amazing you are and that your old choices no longer define who you are. Get plenty of sleep and visualize yourself having positive and loving interactions with these people.
I have just given you 5 easy tips to surviving the holidays with adrenal fatigue.
Now I’d love to hear from you. What things do you do to guarantee more fun and less stress during the holidays? How do you avoid flair up during the holidays? What has been the most helpful piece of information shared here?
Please share this blog with friends, family and/or colleagues you feel could benefit from this information.
All my best,
Angela
Adrenal Glands - All You Need to Know
What if I told you that a small gland in your body, no bigger than the size of a walnut could be the source of not only your chronic fatigue, but could be linked to other chronic health issues you may be experiencing? Yes, I'm talking about your adrenal glands. In this blog, I am going to explain what the adrenal glands are, what they do and why they are so important to maintaining optimal health.
What are the Adrenal Glands?
Adrenal glands get their name from the words, "ad" that means over and "renal" that means related to the kidneys. Thus, adrenal glands are located just above the top of each of your kidneys.
What do Adrenal Glands Do?
Adrenal glands are endocrine glands that produce and release many vital hormones into your body like testosterone, estrogen, and cortisol, to name a few. Each of these hormones is important for the regulation of all your body processes. They may be physical, psychological or even emotional.
Why Adrenal Health Is Important For Overall Health?
It is up to the adrenal glands to help you deal with the different stresses you encounter in your day-to-day living. Whether it’s a bacteria from the physical environment, injury or stress as an emotional response as a result of a situation in your life.
By regulating your responses to these different stresses, the adrenal glands essentially keep you alive. In case of diseases or injuries, they release the appropriate chemicals that will fight off infection and build endurance; and if you are under emotional stress, they might raise your heart rate, produce added energy or affect your muscle tone so you can deal with it.
In this way, the adrenal glands control the performance of every organ, tissue and gland in your body and maintain their balance to keep you healthy, physically and psychologically. Think of them as the engine in the car of your body that keeps it functioning, as it should.
What Happens When Your Adrenals Get Fatigued
When your adrenals become fatigued they don’t perform the stress-fighting functions, as they should. This means they don't produce the adequate amount of hormones your body needs to maintain its balance. As a result, you begin to experience adrenal fatigue.
Adrenal fatigue has a myriad of symptoms from debilitating exhaustion, weight issues, to severe food cravings, food sensitivities, brain fog and so much more.
Learn about the full range of adrenal fatigue symptoms here.
Now we’d love to hear from you in the comments below. What are your biggest symptoms? What are you burning questions? We are a healing community and your comment or question could support others on their healing journey. So take a moment to drop us a line below.
Love, Angela
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