STRESS MANAGEMENT IS A GOOD WAY TO LIVING

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 Inexplicably tired? Craving sugar? Read on.
In our fast-paced, 21st century lives, stress is inevitable. And with technology keeping us ever-connected to various sources of stress, it's seemingly impossible to truly unplug and recharge. As you'd expect, today's levels of stress do not come without consequences – namely to our health. And while the negative impact of chronic stress affects nearly every aspect of our health, one area in particular that takes a beating is the endocrine system, via adrenal fatigue.
The adrenal glands, located directly above the kidneys, play a major role in hormone production, creating more than 50 different types of hormones that are crucial to proper body functioning. Given this starring role in hormone production, it's clear why the adrenal glands are responsible, in large part, for stress response. In stressful situations (remember "fight or flight"?), the adrenal medulla – the center part of the adrenal gland – sends adrenaline, a non-vital hormone, to help you react. The adrenal cortex – the part that surrounds the adrenal medulla – then sends out cortisol, which not only plays a key role regulating metabolism but also in stress response.
Now think about all of the potential stresses that could kick these processes into overdrive, and it's understandable why adrenal fatigue is estimated to affect up to 80 percent of Americans. But even thought you may be dealing with too many family obligations, financial issues or tight work deadlines, you may still be wondering if you're one of the millions of Americans who actually suffers from adrenal fatigue.
The only surefire way to determine your adrenal health is to be tested by a doctor (ideally one who practices functional medicine), but there are some tell-tale signs of adrenal fatigue. If your life is stressful and you begin experiencing the following symptoms, adrenal fatigue may be to blame. And in that case, it may be time to take the steps necessary to begin to heal adrenal fatigue
If you're getting your recommended eight to 10 hours of sleep each night and you're still feeling fatigued and struggling to get out of bed in the morning, that should send up a red flag. Those eight to 10 hours are intended to refresh your body for a new day, and that's definitely enough to accomplish that goal. But if that's not happening, something could be amiss.
Sugar Cravings
A side effect of adrenal fatigue is a low blood sugar level, and when your blood sugar level is low, your body craves energy to reverse the drop. And for people who are already stressed out and exhausted, sweets can provide a quick – though unsustainable – pick-me-up. If you find you have unusually aggressive sugar cravings, adrenal fatigue may be the culprit.

We're all get moody from time to time, but if you find yourself more cranky than normal, there's likely a reason. The adrenals help you cope with emotional stress, but if they aren't functioning properly, you will literally feel like you're on an emotional roller coaster. If you can't seem to get your attitude in check – or if it's coupled with difficulty focusing or forgetfulness – and find stress relievers, it's time to assess the situation.
Higher Energy Levels at Night
When low cortisol levels are in play, energy levels are at risk. In a healthy body, cortisol spikes in the early morning, steadily decreasing throughout the day. For those struggling with adrenal fatigue, there's a cortisol spike in the late afternoon and evening, a symptom most common in the early stages of adrenal fatigue.
If you notice that things in the bedroom aren't where you and your partner would like them – and you have no desire to remedy the situation – and your decreased sex drive comes in conjunction with the other adrenal fatigue symptoms listed here, there is likely a connection.
When the body is dealing with adrenal fatigue, the hormones related to sex drive are sacrificed in an effort to produce more stress-related hormones to bring the body back in balance.