We all suffer from stress. From work to family to even what to cook for dinner every night, we all feel the pull of stress in our daily lives. But when the pile of little stresses becomes too big, our body’s response can weaken and we can suffer from a multitude of symptoms, such as extreme fatigue, digestive problems and difficulty recovering from illness. This weakened stress response is known as adrenal fatigue, and it results when our fight-or-flight response goes into overdrive, and our adrenal glands can’t keep up.

Situated above the kidneys, our adrenal glands are responsible for creating the hormones (namely cortisol, epinephrine and dopamine) that regulate energy production and storage, muscle tone, heart rate and other functions that help our bodies respond to extreme stress. What started out as the fight-or-flight response of the occasional life-threatening event in our caveman ancestors has now morphed into the chronic stress of daily life, and our adrenal glands can’t keep up the hormone production needed to keep our energy levels high enough to deal with it all.

This adrenal fatigue manifests itself in extreme tiredness throughout the day, trouble sleeping when we do actually get to bed, sugar cravings, poor digestion, and food and environmental allergies. You can take an online self-test to help you see if you might be suffering from adrenal fatigue, and your practitioner can also administer urine and saliva tests to further diagnose your condition.

If you are diagnosed with adrenal fatigue, it’s important to avoid caffeine and other stimulants until your hormone levels are regulated. You should also minimize stress on the adrenal system by balancing your blood sugar (and your energy) with a diet low in refined carbohydrates and sugars. Find time in your busy day to do something that helps you relax and de-stress, such as meditation, a relaxing walk, listening to music or reading.

A supplement may also be necessary in order to restore balance to your adrenal system. One of our favorites is Adrenal Response by Innate Response, which is packed with nutrients and herbs that can help strengthen your body’s response to the stresses of modern life and nourish your adrenal glands. This powerhouse adrenal product has been recently reformulated with higher potencies of key adaptogenic herbs, such as:

• Ashwagandha: This powerful herb has been used in Ayurvedic healing for centuries, and is known for its rejuvenating, adaptogenic properties
• Rhodiola: Rhodiola is an herb that thrives in Europe and Asia, and is wonderful for boosting energy (physically and mentally) and calming excited emotions
• Astralagus: This root, used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, helps improve energy
• Holy Basil: This prized herb, also known as Tulsi, is a powerful antioxidant that enhances the body’s natural reaction to physical and emotional stresses

Worried about adrenal fatigue? Don’t stress! With a balanced diet, stress-busting activities and the right supplements, you can get back to feeling full of energy and save the fight-or-flight response for when you’re facing real danger.