ADRENAL FATIGUE QUICK CHECK
Rate the following from 0 to 5, with 0 being no problem and 5 being a severe problem.
_____Difficulty getting up in the morning
_____Continuing fatigue, not relieved by sleep or rest
_____Lethargy, lack of energy to do normal daily activities
_____Sugar cravings
_____Salt cravings
_____Allergies
_____Digestion problems
_____Increased effort needed for everyday tasks
_____Decreased interest in sex
_____Decreased ability to handle stress
_____Increased time needed to recover from illness, injury, or traumas
_____Light-headed or dizzy when standing up quickly
_____Low mood
_____Less enjoyment or happiness with life
_____Increased PMS
_____Symptoms worsen if meals are skipped or inadequate
_____Thoughts are less focused, brain fog
_____Memory is poorer
_____Decreased tolerance for stress, noise, disorder
_____Don't really wake up until after 10:00 A.M.
_____Afternoon low between 3:00 P.M. and 4:00 P.M.
_____Feel better after supper
_____Get a "second wind" in the evening, and stay up late
_____Decreased ability to get things done-less productive
_____Have to keep moving-if I stop, I get tired.
_____Feeling overwhelmed by all that needs to be done
_____It takes all my energy to do what I have to. There's none left over for anything or anyone else.
________Total
A score of 20-40 suggest mild adrenal stress; 40-70 suggest moderate adrenal fatigue; and over 70 suggests significant adrenal fatigue problems.
DO'S AND DONT'S IN RECOVERING FROM CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME/ADRENAL FATIGUE
The following are some of the most important things to do and not to do to recover from adrenal fatigue.
Avoid These:
Pushing yourself to exhaustion.
Sugar, caffeine, and junk food
Being critical and harsh with yourself.
Skipping meals
Eating carbohydrates by themselves
Staying up late and catching your "second wind"
Arising early if you don't have to
Food that you react to or are allergic to
Drinking sodas, coffee, alcohol, juice
Making someone else responsible for your health care
People who steal your energy
Taking care of everyone and everything else
Feeling guilty about caring for yourself
Excessive seriousness
"The grind"
Aggressive exercise
Do These:
Pace yourself
Eat real, whole, fresh food
Be compassionate and kind to yourself
Eat every two hours
Eat a combination of carb, fat, and protein
Get to bed by 10:00 P.M.
Sleep until 8:00-9:00 A.M. when possible
Eat balanced, nutritious food
Drink water, herbal teas
Become empowered and informed about your health care
Be with people who are concerned for your well-being and are helpful in your recovery
Take care of and nurture yourself
Find an inner balance and sense of peace with taking care of yourself
Find things that make you laugh
Do things you enjoy
Mild to moderate exercise
SALT AND ADRENAL FATIGUE
The medical myth that claims that salt causes high blood pressure and other heart problems has become fairly ingrained.
It is rare to find a health-conscious person who is not withholding salt from their diet.
Salt-depleted diets contribute to both adrenal fatigue and dehydration. (The most common symptoms of dehydration are fatigue, headache, and flu-like feeling.)
Cells cannot fully hydrate without sufficient salt. Basically, water follows salt in the body. (Sports drinks, for example, and just fancy salt drinks.)
SALT PROTOCOL IN ADRENAL FATUGUE
Sea salt should be used and tastes just like commercial salt.
Upon arising have some salt by
A) Put 1/8 tsp in a glass of warm water and drink or
B) Put a large pinch of salt on your tongue, and then drink some water.
Repeat mid-morning and mid-afternoon (and more often if needed).
The guideline: Salt or salt water will taste good to you if you need the salt; it will make you nauseous if you don't need it. You can trust your body to guide you in this. Salt cravings are accurate cravings-feed them.
Some have noted feeling a lift in energy within ten minutes of drinking their salt water.
Precaution: There are a few heath conditions that require salt restriction, such as kidney disease or Congestive Heart Disease. Do not follow the salt protocol if such a conditions applies to you.
Also, if you notice some water retention when you begin the salt protocol, try smaller amounts and find the dose that causes no water retention.
For further information about the health benefits of salt and water, see Your Body's Many Cries for Water, by F. BBatmanghelidj, MD
ADRENAL RECOVERY SOUP
16 oz. Green beans
1 Cup chopped celery
1 Zucchini, sliced
1 Medium onion, chopped
1 Cup tomato juice
1 Cup spring water
2 tbsp Raw honey
1 tsp Paprika
1 Cup chicken broth
Pepper to taste
Combine ingredients and simmer for one hour until vegetables are tender.