Thursday, November 19, 2015

"Simple" steps

I talk with people here and there who have some degree of adrenal fatigue/low thyroid function, and I try to boil down what I did in simple steps they can take right now. It's hard. So many compounded stresses, untruthful mindsets, and daily lifestyle decisions factor into the end result...crash! It happens very slowly over time. So it takes a long time to climb back out of the pit. But you CAN and MUST do it, one step at a time.

And God really will lead you, with light and guidance for each step, as you take them, as He did for me. One symptom of adrenal fatigue is feeling overwhelmed, so pick one of these steps (or others found in good books on the subject) to focus on first, and ask God to guide you to the next one.

Here's my attempt at a "boiled down" list of the steps that helped me the most. Every time I need to take a new step, I have this overwhelmed feeling that I just can't do anything more than what I'm already doing. It's too hard, it's too much. But when I become convinced (or often "forced," ie backed into a corner) to take it, it opens up a whole new world of wellness and learning and opportunity! I pray that happens for you as well.

1. Ask God for help. "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest..." Matt 11:28-30 "...He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no strength He increases might..." Isaiah 40:28-30

2. Rest. All you want to do is sleep? Don't get excited about the things you used to because daily functioning is already overwhelming? Your body is crying out for rest, and enabling you to get it...ennui can be a gift if it forces me to get the sleep my body so desperately needs. Sleep, rest, recreation, light exercise, reading a good book, restful vacation, getting away, "5 minutes peace," an edifying Bible study group, laughter and edifying amusement, possibly journaling/an outlet, art, God's creation, and quiet time with the Lord...these are things your body and soul need extra much right now. (And yes, I'm talking to ME here. ; ) Sometimes it's easier to get more rest when you've all-out crashed, than when you're feeling well enough to do lots of things but probably too many.)

3. Get the book Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome by Dr. James Wilson, read it to learn about adrenal fatigue and figure out if those are your symptom, and work on making the attitude, lifestyle, and dietary changes he recommends. This book was huge for me early on.

4. Find a alternative/natural/holistic/integrative doctor who specializes in adrenal/thyroid/hormonal imbalances and/or "mysterious" illness. I love Dr. Jennifer Rabenhorst and her team at Integrative Family Medicine off Shaker Drive in Columbia, MD.

5. Food allergy/sensitivity testing (IgG) revealed allergens in my blood to gobs of healthy food I was eating daily that my food was spending precious energy fighting, and which were also causing leaky gut. I went off those short term and that helped. At the recommendation of Dr. R, I went gluten free two years ago (!), and had much more energy/wellness from day 1! (after resisting the idea for years...yes, you can do it!) Going GF is the single biggest dietary change you can make for adrenal/thyroid issues.

5. Essential oils bring balance to the body and support the body both physically and emotionally. I've used a boatload of natural herbs and supplements, and Young Living essential oils are by far the most powerful and effective "natural supplement" out there. Ask me and I'm happy to tell you more! ; )

6. Cleansing...yes, we clean out all our appliances, cars, and vacuum cleaners, but never stop to think our bodies need cleansing. Once I started learning about all the toxins and chemicals in our air, water, food, household cleaners, personal care products, plastic, etc etc and how they were building up in my body and causing scary imbalances, it was all the motivation I need to start cleansing my body systems and organs as explained in the book Inner Transformations by Leann Dearduff (ask me about this one before you spend too much on amazon ; )).

How's that for a "start"?! I'll try to elaborate on these and add some links etc when I can. May the Lord bless your journey to energy and wellness!!

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Essential oils!

Hi friend, I know this blog is grossly un-updated. (Having twins 2.5 years ago didn't help.
; )) I'm working to fix that (when I can), but the latest and greatest help that God has led me to for supporting my energy level and strengthening my body is essential oils. I'm so grateful to my friend Bronwyn Deiter, who has also struggled with adrenal/thyroid deficiency for about as long as I have, who introduced me to oils. Here's some of my oily story and I'll try to write more soon!