Everybody deserves a break every now and then, but if you’re still feeling exhausted after a good night’s sleep, then you may be suffering from adrenal fatigue.
In the same way our muscles help us grow physically stronger, our adrenal glands actually support our bodies through stressful situations.
As blogger Mommypotamus points out, the adrenal glands, which sit above the kidneys, secrete hormones that help us work through stress, whether it’s short-term or long-term.
That said, you can easily be stressed before you’re even consciously aware of it, which ultimately leads to “adrenal fatigue.”
Dr. James Wilson, author of Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome, noted a study in which researchers examined a group of nurses working in a pediatric unit.
Although the nurses didn’t think they felt unusually stressed, Dr. Wilson said “their cortisol levels were elevated by 200-300%.”
Sometimes your body just needs a break—and that goes for your adrenal glands too—but how are you supposed to know that you’re experiencing adrenal fatigue if you’re not aware that you’re stressed?
Signs of Adrenal Fatigue
- Decreased cognitive ability/fogginess
- Easily irritable
- Constantly cold
- Suddenly easily confused under pressure
- Tired after a good night’s sleep
- Deceased ability to handle stress
Adrenal Fatigue Test
What you’ll need to get started:
- Weak flashlight/pen light
- Chair
- Mirror
- Dark room
- Stop watch
After finding a dark room, sit down in the chair and allow your eyes a moment to adjust to the darkness. Then, according to Dr. Wilson, “shine a flashlight across one eye (not directly into it) from the side of your head.” Keep the light focused across one eye while staring into the mirror with the other. You should immediately see your pupil contract once the light hits it. In general, the pupil will remain contracted in increased light. However, if you suffer from any form of adrenal fatigue, the pupil may not be able to hold its contraction and will instead dilate (reopen).
Mommypotamus says, according to Dr. Wilson:
“This dilation will take place within 2 minutes and will last for about 30-45 seconds before it recovers and contracts again. Time how long the dilation lasts with the second hand on the watch and record it along with the date. After you do this once, let the eye rest. If you have any difficulty doing this on yourself, do it with a friend. Have a friend shine the light across your eye while both of you watch the pupil size.”
Continue retesting monthly. As you begin to recover from adrenal fatigue, your iris should be able to hold its contraction for longer.
