Recently I wrote two articles on the topic of (adrenal) stress. Please refer to those articles in order to gain a better understanding of how the adrenal glands and stress play a role in our health.
When I think of experts in the field of endocrinology (the study of the hormone-secreting endocrine glands), Janet Lang, DC comes to mind first. I wholeheartedly agree with her approach(es) to restoring proper endocrine/adrenal gland function in the body, and have applied them successfully with many patients. She has outlined 16 of some of the most important lifestyle factors that should be avoided and 16 “opposite” lifestyle behaviors to “do” in order to recover from adrenal fatigue.
AVOID
1 – Pushing yourself to exhaustion
2 – Sugar, caffeine, and junk food
3 – Being critical and harsh with yourself
4 – Skipping meals
5 – Eating carbohydrates by themselves
6 – Staying up late and catching your “second wind”
7 – Arising early if you don’t have to
8 – Food that you react to or are allergic to
9 – Drinking sodas, coffee, alcohol, juice
10 – Making someone else responsible for your health
11 – People who steal your energy
12 – Taking care of everyone and everything else
13 – Feeling guilty about caring for yourself
14 – Excessive seriousness
15 – “The grind”
16 – Aggressive exercise
DO
1 – Pace yourself
2 – Eat real, whole, fresh food
3 – Be compassionate and kind to yourself
4 – Eat every two hours
5 – Eat a combination of carbohydrate, fat, and protein
6 – Get to bed by 10:00-11:00pm
7 – Sleep until 7:00-8:00am when possible
8 – Eat balanced, nutritious food
9 – Drink water, herbal teas
10 – Become empowered and informed about your health
11 – Be with people concerned for your well-being and helpful in your recovery
12 – Take care of and nurture yourself
13 – Find an inner balance and sense of peace with taking care of yourself
14 – Find things that make you laugh
15 – Do things you enjoy
16 – Mild to moderate exercise
Dr. Lang’s approach has proven to be helpful (and often necessary) in allowing patients to overcome their health concerns and conditions time and time again. I thank her for her contributions, and you might too.
Dr. Robert D’Aquila – NYC Chiropractor – Applied Kinesiology