Introduction
It is becoming more widely accepted that stress is endemic in the fast-paced, stress-ridden world we inhabit today. While acute stress is not usually injurious and can be beneficial, when stressful episodes are ‘stacked’ and there is no respite or recovery period between them, dangerous chronic stress results.
Chronic stress can be deadly. It triggers and exacerbates a host of conditions, illnesses, and diseases. At best, it drains us of the joy of life and crushes our happiness.
The interface between stressful events and triggers is our adrenal glands. Their job is to produce the hormones that allow us to deal with stress. These inconspicuous, walnut-sized structures punch well above their weight in regulating our body’s response to stress, managing energy levels, and supporting overall well-being.
Unfortunately, they aren’t designed to deal with the elevated levels of continual stress that modern living forces on us. They operate at a subconscious, autonomic level, and often their triggering and responses are more than the situation demands.
Eventually, they may be unable to continue to supply essential hormones at needed levels due to adrenal fatigue or insufficiency. The consequences of adrenal imbalances can have damaging impacts on our physical, emotional, and mental health and well-being.
There is a strong correlation between your adrenals and various health issues, from fatigue, anxiety, and insomnia to weight gain, hormonal disruptions, and autoimmune conditions.
The following chapters are a guide to understanding, nurturing, and optimizing adrenal health.
