September 2023

The Imprint of Stress

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"Stress is the silent saboteur, weaving its threads through the tapestry

of our health leaving clouds that block the sun.

Unraveling its web gives you the path to wellness illuminated by a vibrant life."

~ Unknown

Unfinished and ongoing stress gets stored in the body where it is responded by the adrenals.

Once these powerful endocrine glands get exhausted we can quickly tumble through

the 4 phases of adrenal fatigue creating complex challenges in our health.

If you've been experiencing unexplained fatigue, low energy levels, grumpy blah moods, brain fog, and a general sense of burnout, despite feeling like you are getting enough sleep,

you might be dealing with the symptoms of adrenal fatigue.

Phase 0 - Is where we have a healthy adrenal response and reserves to handle stress we encounter. Our cortisol levels are within range with the desired rhythm and we "bounce back" quickly from stress.

Phase I - This phase has 3 distinct gradual increases in intensity.

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Phase IA - Acute Fight or Flight - We experience a burst of energy and feel adrenaline help us respond to things that are triggering a stress response in our body. This is for situations such as sudden stops in traffic and things that "give us a sudden rush" like roller coasters.

Phase IB - HPA Axis Dysfunction - If the initial excitement doesn't calm down in our body we move into what is known as HPA Axis Dysfunction. Here we see ups and downs in our adrenaline and cortisol levels as we try to switch from fight or flight back to our normal rhythm.

Phase IC - Is the phase of early adrenal fatigue. In this phase we experience elevated high stress triggers particularly in the morning and it leaves us depleted by day's end. This is the Netflix and ice cream phase where we just don't have the energy to do anything besides be mind numb and sleep more. You can also feel the "wired but tired" where you are not sleeping well.

Phase 2 - Evolving Adrenal Fatigue - During this phase we experience low cortisol in the morning so we wake up tired each day and we rely heavily on stimulants like coffee and soda to push through our day. We can also experience severe ups and downs in our energy where we feel like weekend warriors and then are completely wiped out come Monday. Our mood is suffering and we are just tired all the time.

Phase 3 - Hypoadrenia - This is full fledged adrenal fatigue and we have continual low cortisol that leaves us feeling low energy, grumpy and depressive moods, and lack of interest in things we used to love doing but now lack the energy to consider doing. Everything feels harder to get done and we are increasingly not interested in doing it.

Balancing cortisol and restoring your adrenal function requires patience, self-compassion and forgiveness. Prioritizing rest, nourishing your body, managing stress, and seeking holistic guidance, can gradually restore balance and energy to your life.

Remember, healing is a gradual process, so be gentle with yourself.

Wishing you vibrant health and well-being!

Hugs!

-Amy