After a period of stress, the body finds itself totally exhausted, drained, deficient after having drawn on its reserves to hold out. The adrenal glands deserve a little rest and regeneration. Here's what you can do to support your body after a period of stress.

Stress and exhaustion

There are 2 types of stress: the good, the "eustress" and the bad, the "distress" to use the words of Hans Selye, researcher on the general adaptation syndrome. 

The eustress is that internal tension that keeps you on your toes, ultra-focused and hyper-vigilant. Eustress is a so-called positive stress because it stimulates you and pushes you to perform and give your best. 

On the other hand, the distress is that stress that sabotages you, that makes you tired, that makes you lose your nerve. This negative stress is so harmful that it prevents healing or at least dulls the healing and recovery process.

Stress is a primitive reaction that causes us to either flee or fight. Normally, when in danger, your adrenals will secrete adrenaline to "fight or flight". After a short time, the physiological functions return to normal. Only, in the case ofchronic stress, stress hormones are secreted continuously until these said glands are exhausted. This leads to a real general fatigue where you feel completely flat, both physically and psychologically. The burn-out is at your door...

So the idea is to get the depleted adrenal glands back on track after long months of cortisol secretions.

Rest to recover

The best remedies is rest. It is essential to take care of the quality of your sleep. Sleep is how youregenerate. You may find that after an intense period, you want to sleep more than usual. Respect this need. Give yourself moments of rest, nap, regeneration. It is not a luxury, it is simply vital!

If your sleep is not restful, lime and fig buds taken at the end of the day and in the evening will help you fall into the arms of Morpheus.

Plants to boost adrenal activity

In the morning, you can prepare an infusion of :

• Ginseng

• ginger

• blackcurrant leaves or buds

These three plants have the virtue of stimulating the adrenal glands without fatiguing them.

Ginseng and ginger are central nervous system stimulants and promote blood production. They are also immunostimulants, general tonics and are particularly effective in shortening convalescence time (accelerated recovery time).

Blackcurrant bud helps to revive the activity of the adrenal glands especially the natural production of cortisol. It acts as a real boost for the body.

In phytotherapy, Rhodiola can also help you. It is said to be adaptogenic because it stimulates tired organisms and calms the stressed. 

Food, the fuel of your body

• Prioritize a hypotoxic, organic quality diet in order tonot further exhaust the body to eliminate toxins. 

• Avoid endocrine disruptors: pesticides, hormonal contraceptives, plastic bottled water, non-organic cosmetics, storing and/or reheating food in plastic boxes...

• Focus on a vegetarian diet. Fruits and vegetables should be raw or undercooked. Limit red meat and dairy products. 

• Beware of refined products: white sugar, white flour, etc... which have a high glycemic index and have no nutritional value. In addition, they are irritating to the intestinal walls which limits the assimilation of nutrients and are pro-inflammatory. Replace them with gluten-free wholemeal flours and natural sugars (honey, agave syrup, coconut sugar) which are rich in minerals and trace elements.

A quality microbiota for an optimal assimilation of nutrients

• probiotic treatment to reseed the gut flora

• integrate prebiotics to maintain the microbiota and develop it: fiber-rich diet, kombucha, kefir, miso, lacto-fermented vegetables (sauerkraut)...

• Ban all foods that irritate the intestinal mucous membranes: sugar, gluten, lactose, additives, alcohol, fried food... 

Spirulina cure to make up for deficiencies and restore energy: 

Spirulina is a spiral algae. It contains a tremendous amount of vitamins, trace elements and bio-assimilable minerals (great source of iron) as well as quality proteins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids. It helps to revive the various organic functions and to support them. 

Magnesium to make up for deficiencies

The stress is a great consumer of magnesium and the lack of magnesium promotes stress. It's the story of the snake that bites its own tail... After a period of stress, it is essential to make a cure of magnesium in addition to a targeted diet: dark chocolate, banana, oilseeds... 

Managing your emotions to recover from stress

• Bach Flower Remedies, Australian Bush (to be determined and personalized according to your problem)

• Mindfulness meditation, relaxation, sophrology, Schlutz autogenic training, cardiac coherence...

• physical activity