It seems most every female- friend, client, neighbor and family member of mine, suffers from some form of adrenal deficiency. So, is it a current catch all term, that is just, “in fashion” right now? You know….remember how everyone in the early nineties had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, it became almost a status label for the “yuppies” (Young Urban Professionals, in case you forgot the acronym) Only to later be discovered, that there was actually a diagnosis from a physiological source. The Epstein Barr Virus was discovered and then forgotten except for those who suffer from the debilitating Fibromyalgia it leaves in its path. Adrenal Fatigue is a sincere burden, that is a result of our crazy, modern, stressed out world. It’s cause? Primarily, diet and lifestyle, more than serious trauma in our lives. One of the most healing modalities for overcoming adrenal exhaustion is… (wait for it, I mean this is a VERY technical and complicated treatment)- SLEEP!
Yes, SLEEP…..The funny thing is, the more stressed your adrenals, the greater chance for sleep disturbance. It’s a vicious cycle. So, without getting into the science of how the adrenals function and how we deplete our Cortisol levels. Lets look at the first step of healing with my precious prescription of Vitamin Zzzzz….! As in sleep, slumber, dozing, snoozing and sawing logs. This is not only the foundation to heal adrenal fatigue, but it is also a MUST for a Diva’s anti-aging arsenal!
The importance of uninterrupted sleep is huge. One reason for night time waking is low blood sugar. If you are waking between 1:00 and 3:00 AM, your liver may be lacking the glycogen reserves needed for conversion by the adrenals to keep the blood glucose levels high enough during the night. Blood sugar is normally low during the early morning hours but, if you are experiencing adrenal fatigue, your blood glucose levels may sometimes fall so low that hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) symptoms wake you during the night. This is often the case if you have panic or anxiety attacks, nightmares, or sleep fitfully between 1:00 and 4:00 AM. Thus, frequent waking will place a demand on the adrenal glands, see the cycle?
So, Diva’s I suggest a little night time elixir- that promotes healing, nourishment, recovery and renewal!
The Diva's DREAM Water Toddy:
1 Cup of freshly brewed Rooibos Tea (Read more benefits of rooibos HERE)
4 Tbsp Fresh Raw Cream or Coconut Milk, if you cannot tolerate dairy(Read more benefits of healthy fats and sleep HERE)
1 Tsp. Butter (Pastured and Grass Fed)
1 Tbsp Raw Honey (Read more benefits HERE of honey and its ancient remedies)
1 Tsp Ashwaganda Root Powder (Read more Adrenal Adaptogenic benefits HERE)
½ Tsp Cinnamon (Read more blood sugar stabilizing information HERE)
a dash of Celtic or Himalayan Salt (*see note below)
I have been enjoying this little elixir each night for a few months and it promotes a deep sound sleep. I am waking early without an alarm and feel some of the ravages of my crazy busy world letting go....….tonight, Brew a cup of Dream Water, Inhale the delightful warming scent, take a warm bath with magnesium rich epsom salts and stress reducing lavendar oil, read a chapter of “Lights Out”,turn on some gentle rain sounds on your iphone(my NEW favorite app) put on your most “Diva-Like” sleep mask and renew your mind, body and soul with 8 or 9 (even better)hours of precious Vitamin Zzzzzz….! Sweet Dreams
Note:*Women with adrenal imbalance often crave salt — and many of my clients are surprised when I tell them to honor this craving. Yes, salt can increase blood pressure, but low blood pressure (hypotension) is a very common sign of adrenal imbalance — at all stages. If you feel lightheaded when getting out of bed in the morning, standing up quickly, or getting up out of a bath or hot tub, you may very well have low adrenal function, and including more salt in your diet could be helpful. But try to make it good-quality sea salt or Himalayan Pink Salt (My FAVE!)
Craving for salt in people with adrenal imbalance is complicated to explain, but in a nutshell, it’s a result of low aldosterone. Aldosterone, a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex, is part of the complex mechanism that regulates blood pressure in the body. Levels of aldosterone go up and down in much the same diurnal pattern as cortisol does, and likewise go up as a normal response to stressful situations. Generally speaking, when cortisol goes up, aldosterone goes down, lowering blood pressure and possibly disturbing electrolyte balance and cell hydration. Increasing your salt intake is one way to help restore these imbalances.
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