When the flame within..goes out.

Over the past number of months especially I have been working closely with an increasing number of individuals who came to see me as their mood and energy levels were so low, their spirit felt zapped, their get up and go completely gone. These signs are medically often diagnosed as depression … However, they can in fact be linked to totally whacked, burned out adrenal glands, which is known as adrenal exhaustion.

Symptoms can include feeling total apathy, like you just don’t want to get out of bed in the morning, you feel disinterest in work, family life, hobbies, sex, you may indulge in over or under eating, lack of sense of humour, feeling downhearted or feeling like the weight of the world on your shoulders. Persistently feeling like this wears down your immunity and your resistance to fight off disease. The joy and the passion for life simply disappear. Joy, passion, enthusiasm, happiness, inner peace all work together to feed the burning flame inside us. This flame within all of us needs nourishing with self care, self respect, good natural wholesome foods, gentleness and kindness.

Think of your adrenal glands as the organs controlling this inner flame.. burning full of life, energy and health when in balance. These glands fuel us with adrenaline and nor-adrenaline and get us through challenging stressful times. They work best when only under strain for short bursts..  they recuperate quickly once the stress passes. When they have to work constantly through months and years of deep stress they become exhausted and cannot function properly.

When this happens it can mean the spark inside us disappears and the love and joy for all around us goes with it. Addictions, insomnia or excessive sleep patterns can closely follow to help increase this feel good factor. Unfortunately addictions only have a very short ‘feel good’ factor, quickly followed by a downer, the only solution seems to be reaching for more of the addictive substances. This of course is untrue.

Watch closely the foods you crave. These are often stimulants like alcohol, coffee, sweets, sugary foods, sweeteners especially aspartame, cigarettes, Lack of Iron can also be linked, Hormone imbalances, low blood sugar levels, past traumas, hurts and stress all need to looked at.

B vitamins, Vitamin C, chromium are all very important in keeping the adrenals boosted and the flame within you burning passionately.