Five Simple Ways to Nourish Your Adrenal Glands + Why they are Important

If you suffer from constant fatigue, disrupted sleep/difficulty waking, or sweet and salty cravings, overstressed adrenals might be the cause.

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Although they are small, adrenal glands are mighty players in determining your body’s overall health. 

Your adrenal glands, or suprarenal glands, are small, triangular-shaped glands on top of each of your kidneys. They produce hormones that allow your body to perform many essential functions.

When you experience physical, mental, or emotional stress, your adrenal glands release cortisol, responsible for effectively using your body’s fats, proteins and carbohydrates, as well as regulating your blood pressure, blood sugar, and sleep-wake cycle. 

When your adrenal glands continually release this stress-hormone during prolonged periods of stress, you may experience HPA axis dysregulation, commonly referred to as “adrenal fatigue.”

The HPA axis, of which your adrenals are a part, is the body’s main stress response system. When it functions as it should, your body responds appropriately to stressors.

However, chronic stress can lead to “inappropriate” responses to stress like depression/anxiety, cardiovascular problems, low energy, sleep disturbances, weight changes, concentration and memory issues, and more. 

How can you nourish your adrenal glands to make them happy and healthy, especially in the high-stress landscape that is the modern world? Check out these tips:

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Cut back on caffeine 

When you feel exhausted all the time, it may feel difficult to turn down that third cup of coffee. However, coffee will most likely only add to the problem rather than fix it.

As a stimulant, coffee activates your central nervous system, adding stress to your adrenals. 

So rather than consuming cup after cup of coffee, reach for a glass of water or herbal/low caffeine tea instead. 

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Focus on Nutrition

Nutrition plays an important role in adrenal recovery as it provides your body with the vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients that make recovery possible. 

It’s easy to skip meals when you’re feeling stressed, but then your adrenals have to release more cortisol to keep your body functioning as normal. It also increases your chance of binging on unhealthy, processed foods. 

Eating nutrient-dense, whole foods for three meals and regular snacks is ideal for helping your adrenal glands do their job. 

Healthy proteins, as well as foods rich in vitamins C, E and all B, magnesium, and calcium are key to adrenal health. 

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Drink an Adrenal Cocktail

An adrenal cocktail is a mix of freshly squeezed juice from an orange (or another citrus fruit), coconut water, and sea salt. It provides your body with much needed vitamins and minerals that 

encourages your body’s ability to regulate blood sugar, energy, and fight fatigue.

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Gentle exercises

Exercise, especially high-intensity workouts, can be considered a “stressor” on your body (though of course not all stressors are negative!) However, when you're experiencing chronic stress or HPA dysregulation, adding more stressors can exacerbate the problems.. 

Focus on Low-intensity and restorative movements to help. We offer several restorative workout classes in our Online Studio.

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Prioritize rest

“Adrenal Fatigue” occurs when you can’t physically and mentally recover from stress. Good sleep is necessary for recovery. 

You should get at least 7 hours of sleep a night, and avoid blue light before bed to help your body produce the right amount of melatonin for a good night’s rest. 

You should also prioritize other opportunities for rest in your daily schedule. Filling your day with running around and checking off items on your to-do list is not sustainable long-term. You need mental and physical breaks from personal and professional responsibilities. 

Taking time and care to limit your physical, mental, and emotional stress–whether that’s through a change of diet or lifestyle–will truly change your life for the better. Your body, especially those hard-working adrenal glands, will thank you. 

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 *The information on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Talk to your healthcare provider about your symptoms, especially if they persist as there many be an underlying health issue causing the problem. 

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