Adrenal Fatigue - are you in fight, fright or freeze mode?

Adrenal Fatigue: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

25% of all GP visits in Australia are related in some way to fatigue or poor energy levels.  Adrenal fatigue continues to be a widely discussed topic with people presenting to their primary health care providers with a range of symptoms often lasting over 12-18 months.  Persistent fatigue is the most commonly associated symptom with adrenal fatigue. 

Our team of natural health professionals at zazen Water will delve into the subject of adrenal fatigue, its potential causes and symptoms, and explore various treatment options on how to provide some relief for those who are suffering with this condition. 

What is Adrenal Fatigue?

Adrenal fatigue is a term used to describe a collection of symptoms thought to be caused by an insufficiency of the adrenal gland. 

The adrenal glands, 2 tiny bean shaped glands sit just above the kidneys and as part of the endocrine system, are responsible for creating and releasing a range of different hormones in the body Hormones that help regulate your metabolism, immune system, blood pressure, response to stress and other essential functions.

In our natural state of being, we can be cool, calm and collected. When both sides of our brain are functioning, our body temperature is regulated, and we can focus on whatever task is at hand.  This is our natural state and our body is designed to bring us back to this state at all times.  When the body is exposed to situations that require a different response aside from calm and peaceful feelings, the adrenal glands swing into action and pump out hormones supporting a different response, typically known as fight, flight,  freeze or fawn.   Imagine crossing a busy highway, our adrenals immediately pump cortisol and adrenaline around the body to improve our focus and mental agility, our ability to make instant decisions, our heart rate increases, more blood is pumped into our limbs to allow us to move quickly and powerfully out of danger. Once we reach safety, the hormones dissipate, the adrenals subside and everything goes back to normal .  Imagine then when this perceived danger is now a danger in our minds, of our own making and has no end point. Stress is not always something we can see or hear, it can be the way we are feeling , the dread of an event  coming up like exams or a job interview.  The body responds in exactly the same way and when we are constantly feeling a state of anxiety, worry or stress, we can eventually create this state of imbalance in the body and end up feeling chronically tired and listless.

Our body is designed to cope with high levels of acute stress, the fight or flight response and once the stress has passed, the body quickly settles back into the calm and peaceful state it prefers. For many of us this stress is no longer acute and over a period of time becomes chronic and the body struggles to come back to balance, in fact, the chronic nature of the stress can lead to situations of chronic fatigue and adrenal fatigue.  This can result in a myriad of symptoms including headaches, anxiety, nausea, panic attacks, shortness of breath, and underlying long term fatigue as well as other mental health conditions like depression. 

When the stress is no longer acute but has become chronic, the adrenal glands can become depleted and no longer pump out the level of hormones required to support the body or levels fluctuate leading to an overstimulation of  the body in the evening and an inability to wind down before sleep.  Poor sleep patterns is another common symptom of adrenal fatigue.   

Symptoms and Signs of adrenal fatigue?

People  experiencing adrenal fatigue often report a variety of symptoms, including:

• General fatigue: A persistent feeling of being tired and irritable, even after the recommended amount of sleep
• Body aches: Generalised body aches and muscle pain may be present
• Anxiety: A long-lasting anxious feeling or a sense of dread or being overwhelmed
• Decreased blood pressure: Dizziness and light-headedness, particularly upon standing, may indicate low blood pressure (another potential sign of adrenal fatigue)
• Disrupted sleep patterns: Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up feeling unrefreshed
• Salt and sugar cravings: Intense cravings for salty or sweet foods can be a sign of adrenal fatigue, as the body may be trying to compensate for low energy levels
• Interrupted digestion: Constipation, diarrhea, bloating or other digestive problems may occur in individuals with adrenal fatigue. 

Causes of Adrenal Fatigue

Chronic stress can be brought on by numerous internal and external factors in our modern lives, from work-related issues to family responsibilities, to real dangers we may experience day to day.

Whether emotional, physical, or environmental, chronic stress is thought to be the primary cause of adrenal fatigue. As discussed above, the adrenal glands may struggle to produce enough cortisol in response to prolonged stress, leading to the symptoms associated with adrenal fatigue.

In addition to chronic stress, there are thought to be other contributing factors that could contribute to adrenal fatigue, including:

• Poor diet: A diet lacking essential nutrients, particularly vitamins and minerals, can contribute to fatigue
• Overactive lifestyle: Constantly pushing oneself to the limit, whether in work or personal life, may lead to burnout and other symptoms similar to adrenal fatigue.
• Chronic illness: Long-term health conditions, such as autoimmune disorders or hormonal imbalances, greatly strain the body, including the adrenal gland.

How is Adrenal Fatigue Treated?

There is no one size fits all treatment plan, we are all different and the underlying circumstances and causes that may have resulted in adrenal fatigue or even adrenal burnout will be unique and should be explored with your primary health care provider to eliminate any other possible underlying causes. 

If you are tired of feeling this way, however, and are actively looking at not only how to fix adrenal fatigue, but prevent fatigue moving forward, some methods have been used to  find relief: 

Diet change

Adopting a well-balanced diet rich in whole foods, fruits, vegetables, complete proteins and healthy fats can give your body the nutrients it needs to function. Reducing processed foods, refined sugars, and excessive alcohol and caffeine intake can help improve energy levels.

Magnesium helps to regulate cortisol levels, allowing for more balanced hormone production which is essential in our fast paced culture.  Including plenty of magnesium rich foods in your diet will help, avocados, fatty fish, leafy greens, dark chocolate, bananas, nuts and seeds.

Increase Intake of Clean, Mineralised Water

Staying properly hydrated will highly dictate your overall health and well-being, and may even alleviate fatigue symptoms. To maintain or restore our internal balance that leans towards an alkaline state, consider switching to a water source that filters contaminants and reintroduces the necessary alkaline minerals and electrolytes for proper cellular hydration.  zazen Alkaline Water System is uniquely designed to improve cellular hydration.

Stress management & relaxation techniques

Learning how to manage stress with techniques like mindfulness meditation, breathing exercises, or gentle yoga can help alleviate the pressure on your adrenal gland. 

As you move through the state of mere survival into the energy of revival, your body will recognise that it no longer needs to be poised for an emergency, and that the internal war is over. You will then have the capacity to assess and balance all of your body’s functions. From this place, you will be able to begin thriving!  

About Sharon Tal

FOR OVER 20 YEARS, SHARON TAL HAS BEEN PRACTISING MEDITATION, PSYCHIC WORK, HANDS ON HEALING, AND HAS STUDIED THE KABBALAH WITH SEVERAL TEACHERS AND A RABBI.

With profound commitment to her own growth and her progress as a healer, Sharon became a qualified Reiki Master and Teacher; Kinergetics Instructor; Touch for health Instructor; and Reset Instructor trainer. Sharon translated both Reset and Kinergetics into Hebrew, teaching these overseas as well.

She holds a regular meditation circle that has run since 2001 and facilitates a number of workshops for individuals and professional organisations.

Sharon has completed an intensive study of nutrition, herbal remedies, and weight management and holds Diplomas in Kinesiology and in Counselling.

Together with Kinesiology and Counselling, Sharon utilises skills that have been developed from knowledge of the Kabbalah, Native American philosophies, Crystal Healing, Reiki, Seichim and Kinergetics; thereby providing a rich basis to teach and guide those who wish to walk their own spiritual path.

Her passion to help people, on all levels, encouraged Sharon to open a detox centre. Here, she supports people in their journey of cleansing the mind, body and spirit.

Years of experience with psychic work and channeling also enhance Sharon’s ability to pinpoint core issues, and to assist each individual in their unique journey. With gentle and safe, yet firm and truthful values, together with her extensive experience, Sharon assists her clients in removing the hurdles that can keep them stuck in outworn ways of being.

SHARON’S SLOGAN IS: “CLEANSE YOUR BODY, HEAL YOUR HEART, NOURISH YOUR SOUL”

Melbourne Kinesiology and Detox Centre
1062 Glenhuntly Rd, Caulfield Victoria 3162
For more information, visit our web site

Contact Sharon on +61 3 9571 6000 or mobile 0402 11 77 01