Do you constantly feel tired? Do you have to drag yourself to the gym? Do you have trouble falling asleep or are you unable to switch off and wake up many times during the night?
It's possible that, like so many other women, she suffers from "adrenal fatigue," a symptom of our times, which is basically a difficulty the body has in dealing with stress, caused by an exhaustion (literally, depletion!) of the adrenal glands.
Complicated? It's the hormones, baby . But even if your life sometimes feels like a rollercoaster, with peaks of energy and moments of great exhaustion, fluctuating emotions, and an unusual mix of fatigue and anxiety, don't panic, because you're not alone. And everything has a solution. The truth is that although we associate stress, and even tiredness, with a mental state, all these fluctuations, which have a huge impact on our lives, can have a physical origin.
This happens because our system (body and mind) is regulated by hormones – which are nothing more than chemical messengers produced by the endocrine glands – that control bodily functions such as hunger, reproduction, digestion, emotions, and even mood. Needless to say, this system is extremely complex, with everything interconnected, and therefore easily becomes unbalanced.
Cortisol, the stress hormone
One of these hormones is cortisol , also known as the "stress hormone." Despite its bad reputation, cortisol has a good side – it helps us get up in the morning, maintain energy throughout the day, and even control inflammation and blood sugar levels. However, in excess, or imbalance, this hormone secreted by the adrenal glands is harmful, affecting our emotional state and, in extreme cases, causing disease.
We know that hormones are inherently unstable: hormone levels fluctuate in response to the environment, our diet, physical exercise, and other factors. But just because they fluctuate naturally doesn't mean they should be out of control.
In other words, while releasing the right dose of cortisol is good (we have cortisol receptors in virtually every cell in the body), too much, too little, or at the wrong time is disastrous. Our body releases this hormone in response to stress, but if we are in a state of permanent stress (in a state of constant stress, let's say), the body breaks down. Then exhaustion sets in, and weakness, fatigue, and apathy follow. The middle ground is the virtue; therefore, by avoiding extremes, the goal is to keep cortisol (and other hormones produced by the adrenal glands, such as adrenaline and estrogen) at cruising speed.
🏽
The cortisol curve
Our prehistoric ancestors released cortisol to trigger a threat response (for example, a wild animal approaching in the middle of the night). Today, we react to different threats or stimuli, but the response is the same, and the alarms go off.
We know that cortisol is essential for our functioning, we just don't want it to get out of control (which is exactly what happens when we experience hormonal imbalance). In an ideal world, cortisol levels are at their peak when we wake up, helping us start the day with energy. Gradually, levels decrease throughout the day until we are ready to sleep.
A healthy cortisol curve begins around three in the morning, when ideally we are sleeping peacefully and recharging our batteries, and reaches its peak at eight in the morning, then gradually begins to decline.
🏽
Listen to the body
What we have just described is the ideal curve. But that doesn't always happen in the real world.
When our hormonal system is scrambled, or out of balance, chaos quickly ensues. And that's when the body starts to give signals. Here are some clues that may indicate a hormonal imbalance:
- She feels tired, but at the same time unable to disconnect. Chronic stress keeps cortisol levels high (always alert, active, vigilant) to keep her active, but at the same time it will deplete her adrenal reserves. Therefore, she feels exhausted. It's chronic fatigue.
- Having trouble falling asleep (or sleep disorders): cortisol is directly related to our circadian rhythm, which regulates sleep. That's why cortisol is more active in the morning and "withdraws" at night to allow melatonin to work. Unless it's deregulated, and then it spikes when we least want it, in the middle of the night.
- Mood swings: Cortisol interacts with other hormones and molecules throughout the body, as well as with serotonin receptors. Therefore, if it is out of balance, it will impact the "happiness hormone," affecting our mood.
- Brain fog: yes, cortisol also influences cognitive function. Fluctuations in cortisol affect glucose, which in turn affects brain function.
- Sugar (or salt) cravings: Everything is connected, and again, cortisol affects insulin and salt levels in the blood, triggering these "cravings."
How to regain balance
Hormonal balance depends on several factors, such as diet, physical exercise, etc. But we can collaborate with our body to make this process easier by introducing changes in our diet (for example, consuming foods rich in magnesium, vitamins B and C, and omega-3 ), in our lifestyle (practicing yoga or meditation), and with natural supplements based on plants, roots, and herbs – adaptogens – that help us regain physical and mental balance, acting from the inside out.
Adaptogens are plants used for thousands of years in Eastern traditions, acting as powerful allies in managing stress and tension and helping to regulate energy levels. There are several types of adaptogens, divided into two main categories: stimulant adaptogens (stronger, such as various types of ginseng and rhodiola ) and tonic adaptogens (milder, but equally effective, such as ashwagandha, maca, reishi , some types of mushrooms, among many others).
It is generally recommended to take a mixture of several adaptogens for more harmonious and progressive effects , and for this reason we have prepared a set of supplements with different functions that help balance the hormonal scales and regain your well-being. Formulated to reduce stress and boost energy, mood and focus, Super Woman capsules are a supplement with plant extracts and adaptogens to support female hormonal and emotional balance. Other options for cultivating tranquility are Calma: a soluble cocoa drink, a blend of medicinal plants, superfoods and adaptogens created to relax and inspire well-being, and of course, Ashwagandha , the powerful anti-stress plant, which we prepare in powder form so you can easily add it to smoothies, your tea or favorite recipes. If hormonal imbalance, stress, and fatigue are interfering with your libido, we have prepared the Super Desire capsules , formulated with hand-picked medicinal plants and with love, to cultivate self-esteem, the first step to rekindling desire and getting closer to your significant other.