15 Ways To Be Kind To Your Adrenals

Heather Dessinger

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Last year my DO ALL THE THINGS approach to life caught up with me, and I shared with you that I was struggling with adrenal fatigue. I promised to update you as I discovered tips for helping the adrenals thrive - here are my top fifteen.

Do you ever secretly wonder if elves have found a way to siphon energy out of you – like gasoline smugglers out of a tank – while you sleep? Are you already wishing for a nap by the time you finish breakfast?

I get it.
As a mom of three and do ALL THE THINGS kind of person, I sometimes try to take on more than I should. Last year that approach caught up with me – I began to notice that I wasn’t recovering from stressful moments as well as usual. I was snippy, sleepy in the afternoons, and easily overwhelmed by little things.

I thought it might be due to adrenal fatigue – also called hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction – so I took this this at-home test suggested by Dr. James Wilson in his book, The 21st Century Stress Syndrome. That led me to see a holistic doctor and confirm my suspicions, and then of course I promised to share with you anything I learn about taking good care of the adrenals.

Well, after a lot of experimentation (and a few trips down paths that didn’t really go anywhere), I’ve found some things that work really well for me. Now, as I’ve said before, “boo boo kisser” is about as official as things get for me. I am not a healthcare provider, which is why I sought help from a professional in determining what adrenal fatigue treatment protocol is right for me. That said, Dr. Wilson (mentioned above) says that adrenal patients are their own best advocates, and encourages them to take steps toward self care. So, without further ado, here are fifteen ways to give your adrenals a big, squishy hug:

1. Make sleep a priority ^

Ahhh, if only it were that easy, right? I admit I am totally counting the days until my kids can wake up and make ME breakfast, but I’m not waiting until they let me sleep in to get good rest. Instead, I use these 18 science-backed tips to get deeper, better sleep. I don’t do all of them at once, I do incorporate most of them daily. Feel free to pick and choose what works for you.

2. Get your groove on ^

Or more accurately, your rhythm. One of the amazing things your adrenal glands do is release hormones to the beat of your internal clock, also known as your circadian rhythm. One adrenal hormone in particular – cortisol – helps the body wake up and get moving in the morning. Except when it doesn’t, because someone played a trick on your internal clock. (I’m looking at you, Thomas Edison!)

You see, our circadian rhythms are tied to light and darkness, which can be a challenge now that we have artificial lighting and blackout curtains. Instead of becoming sleepy at night, some of us experience a flood of cortisol which leaves us feeling wired. We find it difficult to get to sleep, then wake up exhausted instead of refreshed.

Tips #1 and #2 in the sleep post are helpful for getting back on track, but I wanted to share something else I started doing last winter as well. When it got too cold to go outside for 15-30 minutes of sun, I bought this daylight lamp and put it on the kitchen table. My kids sat under it and worked on art projects while I started breakfast, then Daniel and I joined them and got in our “light time” while we ate. It made a pretty big difference for me, so I still get it out when I’m feeling off. We’ll be using it daily when we start spending more time inside this fall/winter.

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3. If you drink coffee or tea, be strategic ^

Most practitioners will tell you to avoid caffeine entirely, but one of the foremost experts on adrenal health – Dr. Alan Christianson – says it’s okay for individuals who have mild (not moderate to severe) adrenal fatigue. Christianson, who authored The Adrenal Reset Diet, suggests the following ground rules:

“Caffeine does have an effect on cortisol, but where you get your caffeine and when you have it can make all the difference. Avoiding caffeine is always an option, but not a realistic one for everyone. But if you have never lived without caffeine, you might be surprised by how calm and focused you can feel as a result. Try a two-week break from coffee or tea and afterwards make the use of caffeine a conscious choice, as opposed to a daily habit.

Another option is to switch your source of caffeine, and favor tea over coffee. Tea has caffeine like coffee, but it also has a calming compound called theanine that coffee does not have. Tea is also lower than coffee in theophylline, which stimulates the heart. For most people, consuming tea lowers their cortisol or else has little effect on it. Coffee tends not to raise your cortisol level, but it does prevent its reduction. In short, caffeine is most problematic after 9am. Those who are stressed can do better by limiting their coffee consumption to early in the day. Owing to the theanine, tea can be a better fit for later in the day or to assist with mental energy.” (source: The Adrenal Reset Diet, pages 115-116)

I’ve found that I do much better with caffeine if I mix it with gelatin and a healthy fat.

Also, here’s a quiz from Dr. Christianson that can help you determine how your adrenals are doing. “Stressed” is considered mild, “Wired & Tired” is moderate, and “Crashed” is severe.

4. Don’t forget about adaptogens ^

Unlike caffeine, which is a stimulant, adaptogenic herbs help the body adapt to stress and nudge it back toward balance. I’ve written a whole post about adrenal-loving adaptogens (along with safety info for pregnant and breastfeeding mamas), so in this post I’ll just focus on a few.

As the name suggests, adaptogenic herbs help the body adapt by gently nudging it toward balance in whatever way is needed. Here’s what Chris Kresser has to say about them:

“With adrenal issues, I’ll almost always start with adrenal adaptogens, botanical adaptogens like ashwagandha and rhodiola, eleutherococcus, which is Siberian ginseng, and some micronutrients that are good for general adrenal support, like pantothenic acid and vitamin C, because that’s kind of the lowest level of intervention and has the least potential for causing any adverse effects. And if you can fix adrenal problems just by doing that, that’s fantastic and that’s preferable, so that’s the good starting place. And people can really just do that stuff on their own. They don’t need a healthcare practitioner, really, to help with that stuff. ” (source)

One adaptogen I’ve found helpful that wasn’t mentioned is Peruvian ginseng, also called maca. You can find some recipes for incorporating maca here, along with my happy adrenal tea recipe that incorporates other adaptogens, plus masala chai adaptogen tea and my Adapt & Thrive Tincture recipe.

Kresser also recommends a good B-complex and vitamin C. You can find the brands I use on my shopping list under Superfoods and Supplements.

5. Cycle Carbs ^

In The Adrenal Reset Diet, Dr. Alan Christian outlines a plan for “carb cycling” that helps keep the adrenals on track. In it he recommends a very high protein meal with resistant starch and some carbs for breakfast, followed by a lunch with a moderate amount of healthy carbs and then dinner with even a little more. Carbs – which should be paired with fat and protein to help balance blood sugar – help to balance excess cortisol. That’s why we typically crave sugar and bagels when we’re stressed. (Binging on carbs is actually not a good idea because it causes blood sugar to surge, but a reasonable amount is considered beneficial.)

When consumed in increasing amounts toward the middle and end of the day, they can curb cortisol and allow melatonin to begin building up. That helps us keep our circadian rhythm on track and prepare for good sleep that night. Please note that Dr. Christianson does not advocate carb binging, just cycling a healthy amount of carbs in a way that positively influences cortisol production.

I really loved the lifestyle suggestions in The Adrenal Reset Die along with the carb cycling idea, although I wasn’t able to successfully implement the actual portions and recipes recommended. Though several components of the diet are very similar to what I typically eat, Dr. Christianson recommends less fat than I am accustomed to and suggests avoiding dairy, eggs and a few other things I personally embrace. I’m nursing so maybe that explains things, but I felt hungry all the time and did better when I simply applied carb cycling principles to my usual diet.

good-laugh

6. Laugh (No joke!) ^

“You’ve heard it said, ‘Laughter is the best medicine.’ Nothing could be truer for the adrenal glands,” writes Dr. Wilson, adding that “When you laugh, stress decreases and all the mechanisms in your body relax. When the body is relatively free of stress, even during those brief moments of levity, the adrenals are much freer to recover and rebuild.” (source: Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome)

Here, I’ll help you get started.

Sorry not sorry. As you may have noticed, I love goats. 🙂

7. Meditate (Cheater’s Guide Below) ^

Is it just me, or does the thought of meditating conjure images of sitting in lotus position while children shove peas up your nose and teepee the house? I’ve to to admit that when Dr. Christianson recommended meditation in The Adrenal Reset Diet, I nearly dismissed the idea.

I’m so glad I didn’t, because as it turns out meditation and a few other techniques stimulate the relaxation response, which can profoundly improve our well-being. According to Dr. Wilson:

“The body shifts from sympathetic to parasympathetic nervous system dominance; breathing, heart rate, and oxygen consumption slow down; muscles relax; the brain predominately generates the slower alpha waves; and blood pressure may drop. These changes occur within a few minutes of beginning an activity that produces the relaxation response, whereas they happen very gradually over hours while sleeping and often not at all while engaging in a leisure activity. Of particular relevance to adrenal fatigue recovery is that during the relaxation response, stimulation of your adrenal glands diminishes so they can rest, and, in addition, all the tissues in your body become less sensitive to stress hormones secreted by your adrenal glands. This means that every part of your body has a chance to return to normal instead of being constantly on red alert.” (source: Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome)

Two simple options for stimulating the relaxation response

1. Dr. Herbert Benson, the Harvard professor who coined the term relaxation response, gave specific instructions for activating it. You can find the video explanation here, and a print version here.

2. Another option for “lazy meditators,” according to Dr. Christianson, is to use light/sound machines or binaural beats. “When you see lights or hear sounds that pulse in certain frequencies, your brain waves mimic those frequencies. During meditation, the brain goes into what is called and alpha state.” 

Light/sound machines use both visual and auditory components to help the brain achieve an alpha state, while binaural beats use only sound. The light/sound machines are pretty pricey, but I decided to invest in one because I knew I would use it regularly. I have, and it works really well as a “reset” button when I’m tired and not thinking clearly. (You can find the one I use on my shopping list page.)

A more affordable option by far is to listen to binaural beats on headphones. Because alpha waves are encouraged by pulsing sound alternately into each ear, headphones are a must. Dr. Christianson likes Brainwave, which you can find on Amazon.

8. Don’t skip meals (especially breakfast) ^

It can cause your blood sugar to crash, which stresses the body and calls on your adrenals to release hormones that balance things out. On the flipside, eating sugary or super high-carb foods cause blood sugar to soar and also stress the body. Dr. Wilson recommends eating regular meals with snacks in-between to keep blood sugar stable.

9. Speaking of breakfast . . . ^

Good, high-quality protein first thing in the morning is the hallmark of an adrenal-friendly way to start the day. Unlike cereal, pancakes, bagels, juice, and other “breakfast foods” – even fruit – that raise blood sugar, protein keeps blood sugar stable. This allows the body to keep its precious early morning surge of cortisol (which is produced by the adrenal glands) for more important uses.

change-it-2

10. Take charge ^

According to Dr. Wilson, “Being in charge is important for adrenal health; researchers have found from earlier experiments that rendering an animal helpless is one of the most rapid ways to deplete its adrenals” He then goes on to say that “putting yourself in charge does not mean doing it all yourself.”

Instead, he describes an approach to dealing with stressful “energy drains” by changing them, changing the way we respond to them, or eliminating them. His book gives some great suggestions for how to do that.

11. Opt for downward dog instead of Iron Man ^

According to this PubMed article,”There is a direct link between stress and the adrenal glands, and the physical stress of overtraining may cause the hormones produced in these glands to become depleted.”

Walking, yoga, tai chi or qigong plus weight training 1-2x’s a week are typically recommended for individuals needing to boost adrenal function.

12. Take things with a grain of salt ^

“Salt craving is a common symptom in all stages of adrenal fatigue,” writes Dr. Wilson in his book, adding that “this is your body’s way of crying out for something it needs. Our salt-phobic society has deprived millions of people struggling with adrenal fatigue of something that would decrease their symptoms and speed their recovery.”

Why do those with tired adrenals crave salt? Without getting into the complex details, it’s because the adrenals release the hormones that regulate salt, potassium and water in the body. According to Wilson, the body’s craving for salt are an attempt to lighten the load on the adrenals, so it’s important to salt food to taste.

Concerned about salt possibly causing high blood pressure? Check out this series.

bone-broth-adrenal-fatigue

13. Drink bone broth ^

It contains “spark plugs” (also known as minerals) that your adrenals need to thrive. Here’s how to make it.

Another mineral-rich drink is this Himalayan Salt and Vitamin C Adrenal Tonic. It’s so simple it can only be called an un-recipe, but it has been so helpful for me.

14. Take mini-siestas ^

“During the day, you will probably notice that you have particular times when you feel more lethargic, cloudy headed, or have other symptoms of adrenal fatigue. Try to schedule your breaks so that when these occur, you can physically lie down for 15-30 minutes.” (Source: Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome)

I have done this and it really helps. I usually set my kids up with an activity and watch them from the couch.

15. Optimize your magnesium levels ^

According to this study, magnesium deficiency can induce anxiety and HPA axis dysregulation (also called adrenal fatigue). Magnesium is beneficial sleep, stress support, detoxification and more, but not all forms are bioavailable. For details, check out this post on the benefits of magnesium and this one on choosing the best magnesium supplement.

Resources mentioned in this article ^

The Adrenal Reset Diet by Dr. Alan Christianson

Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome by Dr. James Wilson

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About HEATHER

Heather is a holistic health educator, herbalist, DIYer, Lyme and mold warrior. Since founding Mommypotamus.com in 2009, Heather has been taking complicated health research and making it easy to understand. She shares tested natural recipes and herbal remedies with millions of naturally minded mamas around the world. 

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54 thoughts on “15 Ways To Be Kind To Your Adrenals”

  1. Wow! So helpful! This would be a perfect website for all of those first time mothers out in the world! You NEED to keep writing this because your words are going to help out so many people!

    Reply
  2. You are just what I need as I have just started to re adjust lifestyle , I have Addison’s following Cushing’s syndrome and adrenal removal due to tumour. Just finished walk now off to swimming pool ….. Wish me luck I like goats too ….,,

    Reply
  3. Oh my, thank you! I needed this today. 🙂 You blew me away with “Carbs – which should be paired with fat and protein to help balance blood sugar – help to remove excess cortisol from the body.” I’ve been researching Trim Healthy Mama and I’m not
    “sold” on it…. I *never* knew that carbs actually helped get rid of excess cortisol. Thanks, Heather!

    Reply
    • Glad you found it helpful! Most practitioners strongly discourage super low-carb diets for those struggling with adrenal fatigue because it stresses the body. Personally, I’m good with that. I don’t go overboard, but I love my carbs. 🙂

      Reply
    • Just an FYI Trim Healthy Mama is not a low carb diet. Though it is a common misconception. Its about balancing carbs and fats. In fact one of the sisters had adrenal fatigue and one of the ways she was able to heal was from the THM lifestyle, as many other women. It is one of the ways I have begun to heal. My sister-in-law has fibro and has fewer episodes since doing THM. To each there own and everyone has things that work and don’t. I just wanted to set the record straight on Trim Healthy Mama

      Reply
  4. Heather,
    Thank you so much for this article! I love reading your blog and trying all your awesome diy recipes and real food recipes, but this post was exactly what I needed to read this week. Could you consider doing a series of posts on healing adrinal fatigue? Perhaps more of your experience, what helped you through it, and how you’re doing now? I am on the path to dealing with what I believe is adrinal fatigue and would love more posts about your journey.

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  5. I appreciate the laugh, Heather! And happy, happy birthday to you! My sister’s and mine is tomorrow and I always enjoy to find anyone else that shares the same time with us, even if it is not exactly the same day. The family photos are so precious!!!!

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  6. Happy Birthday Sweetie!??????
    May God continue to bless you n keep you healthy .
    Enjoy your day with your loves ???????
    God bless you ?

    Reply
  7. I’ve been on a similar healing path. Saying “yes” is my Love Language. But recovery has become too steep to maintain.

    I would add a #16 titled “Take a Facebook Fast”. I started August 1st, and I t’s helping me a ton. It took 2 weeks for my itchy fingers to find something else to do, but now I’m thinking much more clearly. I’ll be back, but with boundaries.

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  8. Happy Birthday!

    This is my first comment post ever (yes, I am a dinosaur at 43), but I just had to say that you are my hero!

    Reply
  9. Thank you for putting all of this information together! Adrenal fatigue is such a prevalent problem in our society. I walked through my own experience with it after the birth of my second child 5 years ago and it took 3 years and 7 different doctors/healthcare practitioners to get to the bottom of it. Along that journey I found out that I was harboring 4 different parasites. Had that not been discovered my adrenal fatigue would probably still be an issue. My immune system had likely been fighting the parasites for years, but it was not a battle it was ever going to win on its own at that point. The chronic stress from the immune system fight though eventually wore my adrenals out…among others things of course. I just wanted share this so that others will be aware that if they find themselves following all of the adrenal fatigue remedies without adequate relief they may want to consider finding a doctor that will look into the parasite and/or chronic virus/bacteria possibility. From my experience most conventional doctors are not great at this and most basic laboratories (Labcorp, Quest, etc) do not have sensitive enough testing for such things. My parasites and raging h.pylori infection were caught through lab studies sent to Metametrix.
    I think about those days with such sadness. My lack of energy made life feel so hard, even when I was just taking care of the basics. My kids were really little at the time and they were literally the only thing(s) that kept me going. My heart is so tender towards those walking through adrenal fatigue/something similar. Please have grace with yourself and fight with whatever energy you have to find help…keeping in mind that you may have to visit a few different people to get all the pieces to the puzzle. I am forever grateful to everyone who contributed to my recovery! Thank you again for this post.

    Reply
    • YES, undetected infections can really drag the adrenal system down. I’m hoping to cover that in a future post. Thanks for sharing your experience, Nell.

      Reply
  10. This is a great article! I read about ashwaganda powder on mountain rose herbs and I’ve been wanting to try it. Have you used it?

    I’m going to look into Maca powder. Thank you for more great info Heather! You do such a great job with this blog.

    Reply
  11. Such a great post. I can’t wait to go back and have a proper look through all the links.

    Have you heard anything about taking those herbs (ashwagandha especially) while nursing? I bought some in capsules but then read differing opinions about using it while breastfeeding.

    I’m guessing this might be addressed in one of your links, but making and eating some pate made from quality liver as well as having daily fermented cod liver oil (I think you’ve posted about that before?) have helped my stress levels tons.

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  12. Heather- have you tested the home for mold? This is a huge cause of adrenal stress. I remember you had moved fairly recently and wondering if the issue started after the move. Just checking.

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  13. Hi Heather,
    What an excellent post! Just what I needed cause I am also diagnosed with adrenal fatigue.
    I have a question: how many years are your kids apart?

    Thanks

    Reply
  14. First, I adore you and have for years. You’ve helped me so much on my journey. Currently I am struggling with adrenal fatigue. It is a battle fought daily. This post definitely gave me new things to consider and add to my regimen. Thank you for your hard work.

    Second, when recommending maca there should be an advisory. Maca is great. It can be problematic for some women. Maca increases estrogen. So if an individual has low progesterone and/or estrogen dominance, maca isn’t a great idea.

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  15. Hi Heather. Thanks so much for this post. I’ve bought and read The Adrenal Reset Diet and have some questions to ask about your experience with the diet. It seems he is doesn’t use eggs because of the allergy possibilities. Did you eat eggs? And still feel an Improvement? I hear what you’re saying about fats, too. I largely use coconut oil & butter or ghee. Is it possible to keep to these fats, do you think? Just interested in your feedback as a user of the diet, I promise not to make your feedback ‘law’ 🙂 I have to consider weight loss as a reasonable priority, but am not in a hurry; mostly just want my energy and joy for life back 🙂
    I’m new to mummypotamus but live what I’ve read so far! 🙂

    Reply
  16. dear mommy,
    from my experience, I want to write you some simple solutions that helped:
    -get simple (no ironing, no window washing, no complicated foods)
    -go outside all the day. For lunch with 1 bread, 2 apples, 10 carrots, a piece of cheese or nuts, 2 bottle of water, whatever, go outside all the day. Ignore the dirt, unwashed hands, dust, etc. – spend one day outside will refresh a lot all the family (my dream is to go for a week in mountains, tent and a river, all the family).
    -sleep outside. 15minutes of nap in sun will be perfect.

    And an personal experience, I don’t recommend without a good study: fasting (no food, just water for several days) put my body to origin, my senses are more acute, and I feel easier. I did a clean with epson salt, too (I think the week with vegetables before was enough, too). All these help the body to eliminate the toxines, chemicals, and to take it easy.

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  17. Thanks mommy for the info, I think I should sleep more and of course take less of coffee.My work is really demanding but thanks for the tip

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  18. Love this post and your whole site! The link for the daylight lamp no longer works. Would you mind posting which one you use please? ?

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  19. Great advice and list. I have been struggling with adrenal fatigue for a couple of years now. It is a long process to reverse. I have been taking Giai Adrenal Fatigue herbs as well. Seems to be helping

    Reply
  20. Wow good information, I am going to try the Adrenal test, but I am pretty sure I am lacking in that area already. I have already been practicing some of your tips, eating regularly and meditating while trying to eat healthy it has been an improvement on my fatigue and stress levels.

    Reply
  21. This came at perfect timing? Is magnesium oil safe while nursing? I’m thinking so since you are nursing also but I wanted to be sure. I’m going to be using Endoflex to help support my adrenal system. I’m excited to hopefully see positive changes soon.

    Reply
    • Hi LeeAnn, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, a woman’s need for magnesium increases during pregnancy. I am not a healthcare provider and cannot provide advice regarding specific situations, but I will say that I personally made it a point to get extra magnesium while carrying my babies. 🙂

      Reply
  22. Hello. I recently found your blog & love all of the information! May I mention and link your blog in a post that I am doing about DIY beauty products? (My blog is journeyofabusymom.com) I am new to blogging & find your blog very inspirational! We have many of the same interests. Thanks for posting!

    Reply
  23. Thank you for this post – I love it! I shared it on my business page, and will be sending it to several clients. Everything you mention was a part of my healing journey a few years ago. I was able to naturally heal myself from adrenal fatigue, hashimoto’s, anxiety, food intolerances, and panic attacks. Pretty incredible what real food, rest, and stress reduction practices can do! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  24. Hi Heather,

    Thank you for your posts, and especially the recipes 🙂

    I know it’s not necessary in order to understand this post – but could you please tell me what a “Boo boo kisser” is? I live in Sydney, Australia and have never heard this phrase before.

    All the very best,
    Richard.

    Reply
  25. I am curious about other individuals that may have issues with working a third shift. I realize this is not the best work hours but ‘it is what it is’. I have felt a change with some adjustments but am so needing any suggestions or insight into handling the third shift ‘adrenal nightmare’.

    Thank you!!!

    Reply
  26. Hi Heather, you have a recommendation for B vitamins in the article but unfortunately the link for where to find the B vitamins seems to just refresh the page. I find great information on your site and I’ve gotten so much helpful guidance from your posts. Thank you!

    Reply
  27. Hi Heather,

    If adaptogens are not good to take while pregnant then how can I manage my Adrenals while pregnant? I have been taking the Gaia Adrenal Support. It’s so hard finding info on Adrenals and pregnancy. Thank you for your time.

    Reply
  28. These are awesome suggestions! I suffered from a severe adrenal fatigue (I was bedridden most of the day) and these were some of the things I did to recover!

    Reply
  29. Hi Heather,
    I just stumbled across your website and I am not a mommy. At first, I thought this site may not pertain to me and was possibly geared to parents only. WRONG! I was immediately drawn and began reading your material. I lOVE your posts, your information and your knowledge! My philosophies are similar and after a years of health issues a lot of the things you have written about resonate with me! I cannot wait to read through all of your posts. Awesome! Really great site! It’s nice to find others who have the same outlooks and share their talent. Thank you!

    Reply
  30. Yes!!! As an integrative medicine physician assistant and having had adrenal fatigue twice, these suggestions are spot on!!! I’m almost better from this latest round of adrenal fatigue, and suggestions you mention about the daily rhythm, mediation (my faith is important to me so I’ve been really blessed by mediating on Bible verses during that time), and daily adaptogens (I drink a turmeric-based drink in the afternoon-can’t wait to try your tea recipes!) have been especially useful this time. I’ve also found that adding some lemon essential oils in my turmeric drink seem to make a big difference. Awesome post!

    Reply
  31. I am not a mother but I still found your tips useful.
    Thanks for mentioning the cycling carb idea. It’s something new to me and I am going to apply the same.
    Adaptogenic herbs have been explained in Ayurveda so I know them. Thanks for this informational post. Really enjoyed it.

    Reply