Adrenal Fatigue... no one talks about it, but it's what's making you (and me) sleepy

I am one of those people who gets stressed out easily. I have done a lot of work to try to minimize the stress in my life, minimize the amount of anxiety I put myself through, and increase the amount of time I spend taking care of myself.

But every once and a while I let the craziness of running a new business get the better of me and I end up running myself into the ground. It looks like... I get 8 hours of sleep a night, I wake up exhausted and it takes me a long time (and a little bit of caffeine) for me to feel awake. I have racing thoughts, and the constant feeling that I am not getting things done fast enough. I work from the time I wake up until shortly before I go to bed. I wish that I didn't have to sleep at all.

This is not sustainable for me... and it is where I am at right now. I have been aware of adrenal fatigue for a while now and I am pretty sure that this is the reason I constantly feel exhausted when I'm in high stress periods of my life. I have been reading Kris Carr lately (if you don't know about her she is an awesome cancer survivor who turned her life around and now promotes healthy living and eating) and I was just emailed one of her blog videos that I think eveyone would benefit from watching... because we all know most people are overworked, stressed out, and not taking care of themselves!

Is it a Christmas Miracle... or ear candling?

So normally I get sick at least once during the Christmas season. It's usually a combination of lack of sleep, too much stress, and/or burning the candle at both ends. Anyway I cut it, I get sick. This year, even though I was surrounded by sick people, I (knock on wood) haven't gotten sick yet.

I have a crazy suspicion that I know why I didn't get sick. There was one day a few weeks back that I started to feel like I was getting sick. It was the kind that starts in the back of your throat and it feels like your ears hurt. I got home and planned on sleeping it off, but before I got into bed I candled my ears. Then I got on the phone and before I knew it, it was like 2 hours later and I felt completely better. That was odd!

Yesterday morning I woke up and felt the same I'm-definitely-getting-sick feeling. So I immediately candled my ears, and it pretty much went away.

One of the things that I've noticed (it's about to get really REAL) in my ear candling experiences is that when I've had mine done and I haven't been sick the ear wax comes out like a waxy powder. When I've done it, either to myself when I feel like I'm about to get a cold or to my friends after they've become sick, the ear wax comes out in dark clumps. Gross I know, but it's something to think about. I have heard it said by a few doctors I respect that the ear wax in your ears is the perfect breeding ground for colds and infections.

Welp... I'm sure some could argue that this is just a theory, but I'm convinced. And I'll be candling my ears every time I feel like I'm coming down with something.

That is all. You can go back to your day :)

I need sleep!

So in lieu of the fact that everyone in my life is getting sick right now, I am in serious "I NEED SLEEP" mode. Sleep is the one thing that if I let myself go I will get sick. And it is just not an option for me right now. SO last night I slept for 11 hours. And tonight I am planning on doing the same. Coincidentally, I just saw this article from Dr. Mercola on common sleep mistakes that people make.

1. Using the snooze button. While a few minutes more in bed may be tempting, using the snooze button could backfire as interrupted sleep can increase your fatigue. GUILTY!
2. Irregular sleep schedule. A regular routine of going to bed and getting up around the same time each day will help promote better sleep, while constantly interrupting your schedule can easily lead to insomnia and fatigue. GUILTY!
3. Taking long naps during the day. GUILTY!
4. Eating sugar before bedtime. Sugar alters the chemical balance in your body, which can contribute to impaired sleep. UMM...SOMETIMES...
5. Drinking coffee or caffeinated beverages too late in the day. GUILTY!

Since I am in the middle of a crazy work schedule right now, I have found it really hard to maintain taking care of myself. I haven't worked out consistently in like a month, I've barely been juicing, and I've been eating out a lot. But the one thing I know I need to stay on top of is my sleep.

Seeking Motivation

I've been in a funk lately. I am trying to pull myself out of it, but it's been a slow and not so pleasant process. By trying I mean I'm basically forcing myself to do things that I know I should be doing (working out, eating right, not sleeping my life away) and forcing myself to do the things I have to do (working, eating) and force myself to do the things I should want to do (being out and about).

I keep telling myself to "act as if" and eventually I will feel better. I guess it's working because I do feel better than I did a week ago.

I've also been looking for different things that I can do to get outside of my "box". Last night I went to a raw food group meeting with Victoria Moran as the guest speaker. I went specifically because she is an excellent speaker and very motivating. After 2 hours of listening to her I felt better. I feel more like myself again. Further proof that I need to seek out more people that will motivate me.

If you are in the Ramsey, NJ area and are interested in learning more about raw foods/healthier living there is a great Raw Food Support Network run by Karen Ranzi.

Anyone have a fix for a funky mood that you can't beat?

Worried Sick

I woke up sick Monday morning. I mean really sick. Out of nowhere. Sunday I was fine. Well, let me rephrase that. I thought I might be getting sick, like a little twinge of something, in the middle of the day, but I took a diesel nap and woke up with no trace. Fast forward 12 hours and I'm waking up feeling like my head is in a vice and my throat is on fire. WTF?

I might also mention that I was having a mental tug-of-war in my head all weekend over something that now seems absolutely redunkulous. I worked myself up so much that I think that is why I got sick. Now I know where the phrase 'worried sick' comes from. Normally I can attribute my sickness to burning the candle at both ends, but this is definitely not the case this week. I have been fully rested and getting my almost daily dose of vitamin D, juicing pretty regularly, and eating healthy overall.

So what the hell happened? Well, this is just a theory, but I have heard from numerous sources that emotions play a role in health. And the more I think about it the more I believe it. Actually, when I think back to the times I have been most frequently sick in my life I have been supremely unhappy.

Some people are good at being unhappy. I'm not. This is a lesson I continue to teach myself. Getting out of my head is hard sometimes, and if it goes on too long I literally have physical symptoms. But I keep on tryin'!

Have to get back into the swing of things so I can get S-H-I-T done before the long weekend! Can't believe the summer is almost over :(

It's been a busy week!

But so worth it! I am happy to say that in the past 7 days I finished and launched my eBook (which you can find here), past my final exam for my Holistic Health Coach Certification, and Raw Generation is officially open for business! Go check out our website!

I have to admit, when I'm productive, I'm productive. If only every week was like the past.... I'd rule the world!!! Haha, kidding. 

I also managed to get everything done without ANY anxiety, without getting sick, without giving up my mostly healthy eating habits, and without over exhausting myself. I am thoroughly beat though and need some R&R in my bed with some tea and a book. 

PS... I know I haven't been posting anything lately about cooking and whatnot, but to be honest I haven't been cooking or even preparing much. I've been drinking a lot of juice and eating a lot of eggs. I'll get back into it one of these days. Cooler weather is coming which means I'll be getting into some great comforting soups and such.

How is everyone else's week going?

Just Say NO

I have a hard time with this word. For some reason I have a hard time saying NO and therefore get myself into more commitments than I have time for. I have a really overwhelming way of thinking I can do everything (superwoman syndrome) and still take care of myself. 

Well, I'm trying to give it up, because I can't do everything. The latest incident happened yesterday. I made plans to go to this conference in NYC because it would be a good networking opportunity and it is an extension of the business coaching program I'm currently in. Awesome. What I didn't consider would be that I was exhausted from the week. 

First I planned to go up to my sister's in the city to stay overnight so that I could just wake up and go. Then I decided since it started so early I should just drive in Saturday morning (at 6:30 am) because there wouldn't be any traffic and I wouldn't spend as much time getting there as if I were to drive to the train, take the train, take a subway and walk to my sister's apartment. Then by the time it was time to go to sleep, I was like 'there is no way I can wake up at 6 am, drive there, and sit there for 5 hours, and drive back.'

So I didn't. Instead I had the best most relaxing Saturday EVER! It was rainy so I didn't feel any pressure to get out of bed. I woke up and read for 3 hours!!!! So amazing! Then my sister and I sat on my porch just talking and listening to the rain. Then we went for a run and out to lunch. Then I went home and got back into bed to read and ended up taking a 2 hour nap. 

I seriously needed that. Bad. Yesterday made me realize that I need my weekends. I need to not have any work commitments for 2 days out of the week unless it is absolutely necessary. Sometimes it will be, but most of the time it's stuff that I just don't need to do. 

So my goal is to just say no to working on the weekends! Who's with me?

I NEED SLEEP

Not right now, but in general. I have always been the type to need a lot of sleep- even back when I was a kid according to my parents. Unfortunately I am the lightest sleeper in this universe.

Several years back when I was in college I was introduced to a white noise maker. I quickly became addicted and have been sleeping with one ever since. More recently I found those foam ear plug things which are literally a life saver and much easier to carry around with you than a white noise maker.

I am especially sunny and bright when someone wakes me up. Kidding. That couldn't be further from the truth. I would hate me if I had to wake me up. I'm sorry to my parents for all of the stink eyes and disdainful comments that were spewed in my half-sleep stupor. 

And since it is spring the birds are back. Normally this is awesome, however this year the noisiest bird that ever existed has decided to make its nest in our gutter. Cute! but noisy. So not only do I hear her squawking at all hours of the day and night, but she gave birth to numerous chicks that are just as noisy as she is. My noisemaker was no match for her last night. This F-ing bird woke me up from a dream w/ her jibber jabber in the middle of the night. All I can say is thank me for keeping those foam ear plugs by my bed. 

On to the point of this story... sleep is so important in staying healthy. And quality sleep is key. During the night when you are dreaming crazy S-H-I-T your body is healing itself, and (hopefully) burning fat. The body's soul purpose at night is to undo all of the damage that had been done to it the previous day. If you are not getting enough sleep or getting pour quality sleep then your body cannot do it's job. And the junk builds up. 

Remember how about 50 words ago I mentioned that your body is supposed to burn fat while you sleep? It's true, BUT only if you go to bed with an empty stomach. The reason your body burns fat if you go to bed with an empty stomach is because fat is your body's energy reserve and guess what? You need energy during your sleep to detox and cleanse. So here's what you do. Eat no later than 4 hours before you go to bed and make it one of your lighter meals of the day. 

Even I (the model of all good habits lol- kidding!) have a hard time with this one ESPECIALLY considering my absolute favorite thing is long, later dinners. I absolutely love going out to dinner and sitting there for 3+ hours eating and drinking wine and talking. Actually if I was super loaded that's probably what I would do every night of the week. 

Anyway the moral of the story here is to try to do anything to get the best quality sleep you can get. Sleep machines, ear plugs, blackout shades. Anything except sleep meds! Should probably put a disclaimer on this one. I'm not advocating sleep meds. 

Nighty night!