Has enforced time off for COVID 19 made you rethink the way you balance your home and work life? Many people live an adrenalized life constantly living with high stress levels. What can you do to change this, or how can you help yourself cope with the stress in your life? Let’s look at how depleting your Adrenals can affect you and what you can do.
The Traditional Five Element System treats the Adrenal glands as part of the Kidneys the organs and energy pathways. This means the Adrenal glands are part of the Water element. The Kidneys are seen as a key role player that determines the quality of life, this is because the Kidneys control the internal Qi which is considered the body’s life force.
The Adrenal glands are endocrine glands that produce multiple hormones. The Adrenals are found directly above the Kidneys and they are vital to human existence. The hormones produced by the Adrenals are particularly important during times of stress. Adrenaline and naturally occurring steroids such as aldosterone and cortisol are made by the adrenals. These hormones help the body control blood sugar, burn fat, react to stressors and regulate the blood pressure. This makes caring for your Adrenals extremely important.
The body is a complicated machine that has a very efficient self-regulating system, helped by the Adrenals. Though when the body is depleted of quality food, sleep, and exposed to overwork, prolonged stress, dissatisfaction or over exercised then it will not be able to function and carry out all the important functions. This is why many people experience eating binges or extreme fatigue accompanied by excessive or lack of sleep when they are under severe stress.
Everyday stress can drain the body of energy, nutritional reserves and Qi over time. When this occurs, the body may experience a breakdown, a drop in immunity or severe fatigue. If this continues, Adrenal Fatigue may develop. Adrenal fatigue is a condition where the adrenal glands become weak and then produce insufficient amounts of the hormones needed for everyday life. Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue include low libido, food cravings, general malaise, emotional problems, weight gain, low immunity, difficulty concentrating and thyroid issues.
Traditional Five Element Acupuncture treatments and moxibustion can help the Adrenals. Regular acupuncture treatments can strengthen the Kidneys. Over time, the Adrenals, Kidneys will regain some of their Qi, thus helping the body to fuel and heal itself. Acupuncture is effective because it helps reduce stress and it turns on the relaxation part of the nervous system. When the relaxation side of the nervous system is turned on, the heart rate will return to normal, digestion improved and sleep will become deeper and more restful.
While you are waiting for my acupuncture practice to open again you can look at ways you can look after yourself. Healthy eating habits, regular exercise – walk, yoga, run, Qigong (though not over exercising). Meditation, relaxation, restful sleep and getting the work life balance better can keep the Adrenal glands performing well. When we are stressed, many of the things we know are good for us get left out of our day. Try to make a new good habit in your day, meditating for ten minutes a day could change how you respond to your world. Remember be kind to yourself.
Look after yourself keep your Adrenals and Kidneys healthy and your immune system will be stronger therefore less likely to get or suffer badly from COVID 19.
To help you understand how the Five Element System affects how you respond to the world, check out the Personality page on my Website:https://www.southwellacupuncture.co.uk/acupuncture-five-elements/
For any questions Contact Hannah on: https://www.southwellacupuncture.co.uk/contact/
