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Adrenal glands are vital organs for your everyday health. They form a part of your endocrine system and are responsible for the production of hormones that react to stressors.

The hormones produced by adrenal glands also help to distribute fat and protein as well as regulate inflammation and sugar levels in your body.

In certain cases, adrenal glands may be unable to carry out their roles efficiently, and this may be a result of adrenal stress. Here, you will be exposed to the lifestyles that are injurious and the ones that are beneficial to your adrenal glands.

What is adrenal stress?

Adrenal stress is a condition whereby your adrenal glands cannot produce adequate amounts of hormones. In this case, the adrenal glands are exhausted due to physical, mental, or emotional stress.

In addition, adrenal stress may also be caused by infections. Fatigue, weightlessness, loss of appetite, and low blood pressure are symptoms associated with adrenal stress.

Lifestyle Habits that hurts your adrenal glands

Some lifestyle habits may be injurious to your adrenal glands and cause adrenal stress. These lifestyles include:

1. Drinking less water

Drinking adequate amounts of water is essential and should not be taken for granted. If you are not drinking adequate amounts of water, you are causing harm to your adrenal glands. 

Water is very important for the normal functioning of your endocrine system.

2. High consumption of caffeine

When you consume too much coffee, the caffeine present causes a rise in your levels of cortisol, giving more work to your adrenal glands which have to pump out the excessive cortisol.

3. Lack of sleep

If you are too busy to sleep, you are overworking your adrenal glands. Not getting enough sleep will cause your cortisol levels to rise and your adrenal glands will become stressed out over time. 

4. High-impact exercises

Your body, sometimes, responds to high-impact exercises as though you were stressed. Such exercises may put too much work on your adrenal glands. Low-impact exercises such as Light cardio, Pilates, or Yoga are better alternatives. 

5. Consumption of processed food

Processed food high in fats, calories, and carbs is difficult to digest and absorb by your body. Most of your organs, including your adrenal glands, have a hard time processing that food.

Lifestyle that helps your adrenal glands

Here are some lifestyles that support the function of your adrenal glands:

1. Proper relaxation

The best thing to do after going through a stressful day is to get proper relaxation. When you relax, you are allowing your adrenal glands to calm themselves.

2. Eating a diet rich in protein

When you consume a diet rich in protein, it digests to give certain amino acids such as tryptophan that help in relaxing your body and lowers your cortisol level. This reduces your adrenal stress.

3. Getting fresh air

Ensure you stay in a well-ventilated room. Getting fresh air helps to relieve your adrenal glands.

4. Eating more veggies

Green vegetables contain fibers, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that contribute to the health of your adrenal glands.

5. Taking vacations

Working 24/7 without taking a break is injurious to your adrenal glands. Consider taking a vacation from work to relax your adrenal glands.

Adrenal glands play vital roles in producing steroid hormones in your body. These glands are essential for your everyday health but overworking them may result in adrenal stress.

Healthy lifestyles such as eating proper food, getting enough sleep, and doing low-impact exercises can help to manage your adrenal stress.

You may consult Dr. Jason Jones at our Chiropractic office in Elizabeth City, NC to learn more natural measures to prevent adrenal stress.