Many of us encounter stressors each and every day. It might be sitting in traffic, having a presentation sprung on you at work or getting in an argument with a friend. Experiencing a wide range of physical and psychological demands can trigger our adrenal glands to provide small blasts of strength throughout the day, in the form of hormones.
These hormone spurts come in the form of cortisol and adrenaline. When we are under constant stress, our adrenal glands are forced to maintain high cortisol levels. After experiencing high stress levels for a long period of time, the adrenal glands become unable to respond appropriately. This is referred to as adrenal fatigue.
Adrenal fatigue can affect the body's short term response to stress. It can also impair the body's ability to produce and balance other hormones to promote long-term health and well-being. If you feel unbalanced, it's time to make a change to get your body back on track.
Here are seven warning signs that you're suffering from adrenal fatigue:
1. You Have Trouble Sleeping
Your body needs 7-9 hours of sleep per night to relax and recharge. Sleep is vital to your overall health and well-being. Not getting enough sleep can throw of your hormonal balance, which makes it increasingly difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep.2. You Feel Exhausted After Working Out
Exercise should give you energy! If you feel the opposite way after a workout, it could be due to adrenal fatigue. Physical exercise is a known stressor for the adrenal glands. If your adrenal glands are already suffering, working out can actually make the problem worse.
3. You Have Frequent Salt Cravings
The adrenal glands produce a hormone called aldosterone. This hormone regulates fluid and electrolytes in the blood. When you develop adrenal fatigue, the production of aldosterone lessens. This causes salt and water to be excreted by the kidneys, leading to an electrolyte imbalance and dehydration. If you're craving salt on a regular basis, this could be why.4. You're Overly Anxious Or Depressed
Adrenal fatigue can leave you overly anxious or even depressed. It affects your ability to deal with day to day stress, causing you to feel overwhelmed a majority of the time. If you're struggling to get through the day, getting easily agitated or experiencing anxiety attacks, it may be due to adrenal fatigue.
5. Your Body Feels Sore And Stiff
Your body can react physically to stress. When you're constantly stressed, your adrenal glands become worn out. This causes your cortisol levels to plummet, leaving you feeling stiff and achy in your joints and muscles.6. Your Digestive System Is Off
If your body isn't getting what it needs, you might experience bloating and poor digestion. These are possible symptoms of adrenal fatigue. Eating processed foods, refined sugar and refined wheat products can negatively affect the adrenal glands, causing fatigue and a disrupted digestive system.
