In today’s video, we will discuss how to support your body through burnout and adrenal fatigue, as chronic stress is widespread in our society. We are all stressed to the max and overwhelmed with everything we need to do in our lives. Regardless of the source, the response to stress in our body is the same, and it can lead to burnout or adrenal fatigue over long-term exposure to chronic stress. Our endocrine system consists of different glands, and those activated during stress include the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands, also known as our HPA axis.
When the stress doesn’t go away, our body secretes more cortisol to deal with it, making us more likely to enter into that fight or flight state at a moment’s notice. Over time, if too much cortisol is circulating in our body, our hypothalamus will begin to numb itself to the messages, leading to exhaustion, burnout, and adrenal fatigue.
In the medical community, the term adrenal fatigue is not entirely recognized, and there is no real medical fix for it due to excess stress. Instead, we need to support our body so that it can return to balance, starting with nurturing our mental well-being and developing effective anxiety reduction skills.
The first pillar to support your body during burnout is nutrition. What you eat affects your physiology in complex ways, and certain foods can impact your adrenal glands directly. It is important to eat whole foods, drink plenty of water, and cut out coffee to support your body during burnout.
Supplementation is also crucial, as our food quality is declining, and our soil quality is declining as well. Vitamins and minerals such as B-complex, magnesium, and vitamin C, as well as adaptogenic herbs, medicinal mushrooms, and probiotics, can support our body during burnout.
Lifestyle changes are equally important in overcoming burnout. It’s important to check in with yourself and determine what is causing you stress and draining your energy the most, and find ways to change that relationship. Managing stress through practices like breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, and prioritizing sleep are also crucial.
Finally, having the proper mindset can significantly impact your body’s recovery. It’s important to recognize that you cannot support your body unless you put yourself first, and believe that you will heal and that your body is strong and meant to thrive.
By addressing these four key pillars – nutrition, supplementation, lifestyle, and mindset – you can support your body during burnout and adrenal fatigue and work towards a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.