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Tired and Stressed Out?

Duke was a family friend, a gentle, average-sized guy with a large family. He and his wife had just purchased a new refrigerator and stocked it with groceries when their house caught fire. After all the kids got out safely, Duke ran back inside and, with his senses heightened, he picked up the new, fully-stocked refrigerator and carried it outside. The fire was put out and their home was salvaged. A day later, when it was time to move the fridge back inside it took three strong men to move
it back in. Stay with me, this is more than a story about a man who really, truly hates to waste food. What Duke experienced was the heightened physical performance that comes from an adrenal function in full swing. With adrenaline coursing through his veins he briefly had the strength of three men. That is the job of your adrenal glands. These two walnut sized, triangular shaped organs sit right on top of your kidneys and, as part of your endocrine system, release and regulate hormones, including adrenaline, as needed to deal with the stress you experience. Kind of makes you feel all warm and fuzzy just

knowing your body looks after you like that, doesn't it?
We all have times in our lives when our adrenal glands go into action, and yet, we're not even aware of it. For someone who has had an injury, or is suffering a major illness such as cancer, diabetes or heart disease, stress is suffered on two levels. First there is the psychological stress or the very idea that this frightening illness or injury has entered your body and your life and second, the biologicalstress or what the illness is causing on a cellular level.
These small but mighty organs are on constant alert to deal with your stress. But your adrenals don't stop there, they also "have your back" during times of emotional crisis such as divorce, caring for a seriously ailing loved one, the loss of a job, continual overworking, or a death in the family. These amazing tiny organs (weighing about as much as a grape) kick in to high gear whenever needed. They are the Spiderman of our bodies! The trouble starts when the stress becomes long term. They're sprinters, not long distance runners. Even though they aren't built for it, they'll keep trying until there is a major strain in the body. You may not even recognize what is happening in your body as "strain." But, your body speaks to you and if you listen, you'll understand its language.

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