Is It Just Stress, or Are Your Adrenals Asking for Help?
Every so often in my research or continuing education, I come across a protocol that feels so well-aligned I know I need to try it myself. That happened recently with an adrenal support plan.
I didn’t start it because of any specific symptoms. I just had a sense that my body could use some support, so I committed to the protocol and waited to see what might shift.
And honestly? I was surprised.
I expected better energy, maybe more restful sleep… but what really caught me off guard?
Less anxiety. A quieter, less critical inner voice. More patience with myself.
These aren’t the typical adrenal symptoms we think of, but they were the most meaningful shifts I felt.
It reminded me just how much our adrenals are doing beneath the surface. They’re not just managing stress, but also shaping our mood, resilience, and sense of emotional safety.
Surprising ways your adrenals might be asking for support:
You wake up tired—even after a full night’s sleep
You feel wired at night but crash during the day
You’re more anxious or emotionally reactive than usual
You crave salty snacks (hello popcorn for dinner🍿)
You feel foggy, flat, or disconnected from joy
Your inner critic has taken over the mic
You get hangry quickly or feel shaky between meals
Loud noises or small stressors feel overwhelming
We’ve talked about these symptoms as “stress,” but they’re also a signal that your adrenals are working overtime to compensate and could use more support.
5 Ways to Support Your Adrenals
(That Actually Work)
While I’m currently taking more supplements than usual (and will be for the next six weeks on this adrenal protocol), I’m also being intentional about these daily practices. They’re simple, but powerful.
Eat before your stress eats you
Start your day with a balanced breakfast—ideally within 60 minutes of waking. Focus on protein, healthy fats, and something grounding like root veggies or oats.
Why it matters:
Skipping breakfast forces your body to use cortisol to keep blood sugar stable. That’s like running on your emergency reserves all day.
📝 Try this: Scrambled cottage cheese eggs with avocado and sweet potatoes. Or a protein smoothie with nut butter and spinach.
Pause early, not when you’re already wiped
Start noticing the first signs of depletion—like mid-morning yawns, irritability, or rereading the same sentence over and over.
Why it matters:
Taking a break early helps you avoid a full-on crash. It gives your system space to recover without running on fumes.
📝 Try this: Set a midday “pause” reminder on your phone to check in: Do I need food? Water? A breath?
Salt your food (yes, really)
If you’re craving salt, your body might be asking for more minerals. The adrenals help regulate sodium and potassium, especially when cortisol is low.
Why it matters:
Low sodium can lead to dizziness, fatigue, or increased anxiety. This is about real mineral support, not processed food.
📝 Try this: Add unrefined sea salt or Himalayan salt to your morning water or sprinkle a bit more on your meals.
Redefine “rest” as something that fills your tank
Scrolling your phone isn’t rest. Neither is folding laundry while a podcast plays. True rest is quiet, intentional time that helps your system reset.
Why it matters:
Your nervous system needs calm time to restore balance. That’s when your adrenals get to recover.
📝 Try this: Restorative yoga, legs-up-the-wall, or just sitting outside with your eyes closed for five minutes.
Move gently, not aggressively
When you’re feeling depleted, skip high-intensity workouts. Choose slower, rhythmic movement instead.
Why it matters:
Gentle movement supports circulation and balances blood sugar without spiking cortisol or draining your reserves.
📝 Try this: Go for a walk, stretch, do some light Pilates, or dance in your kitchen. And if you’re tired, resting is productive too.
They give us insight into what’s happening beneath the surface so we can assess how well your body is functioning and what areas might need support.
Labs are simply tools to help us find the root cause of any imbalance and adjust your protocol accordingly.
Your body isn’t broken.
It’s doing its best to adapt to everything you’ve been carrying.
You don’t always need testing to know something’s off—but sometimes, seeing it on paper makes it real. When it’s the right fit, I offer a salivary Adrenal Stress Index test. It’s not for everyone, but when cortisol patterns show how out of rhythm things have become, it often brings a huge sense of validation.
You realize you’re not imagining it. Your body is showing you it’s been pouring from an empty cup.
If you’ve been wondering about your adrenals, or you're simply ready for a plan that feels doable and personalized, I’m here to help.
Book a free discovery call and let’s explore what support could look like for you.
Together, we’ll create a clear, sustainable path that supports your body and helps you feel like yourself again.
Lab results simply guide us, helping to highlight areas that still need support, and they’re never a measure of your effort or worth.
Let’s take the mystery out of stress, fatigue, and hormones. Join my list and get clear, honest support you can actually use.