I’ve always been active and moderately healthy due to my sport. My years riding meant that a six pack was always on display (it was hot riding in spain ). On the inside however I was exhausted and really just depressed. I knew that if I stopped and the intense routine I'd struggle to ever get going again. I wasn’t sure what the cause was, but knew that it wasn’t normal to fall asleep at lunch. As I looked fit and healthy no doctor would me seriously when I mentioned how I felt, team coaches just put it down to my laid-back attitude.
If you have symptoms such as;
- Tendency to gain weight and unable to loose it, especially around the waist. (This is the most obvious sign for most people of excess cortisol)
- High frequency of getting the flu and other respiratory diseases and these symptoms tend to last longer than usual.
- Tendency to tremble when under pressure.
- Reduced sex drive.
- Lightheaded when rising from a laying down position.
- Unable to remember things.
- Lack of energy in the mornings and also in the afternoon between 3 to 5 pm.
- Feel better suddenly for a brief period after a meal.
- Often feel tired between 9 – 10 pm, but resist going to bed.
- Need coffee or stimulants to get going in the morning.
- Increased symptoms of PMS for women; periods are heavy and then stop, or almost stopped on the 4th day, only to start flow again on the 5th or 6th day.
- Pain in the upper back or neck with no apparent reasons .
- Feels better when stress is relieved, such as on a vacation.
- Difficulties in getting up in the morning
- Lightheaded
- Mild depression
- Food and or inhalant allergies (yes even hay fever)
- Lethargy and lack of energy
- Increased effort to perform daily tasks
- Decreased ability to handle stress
- Dry and thin skin
- Hypoglycemia
- Low Body Temperature
- Nervousness
- Palpitation
- Unexplained hair loss
- Alternating constipation and diarrhea
- Dyspepsia
How does this link into hay fever? Well I can have months pass with little or no symptoms yet once I get stressed (increased work, too much social interaction, not enough food etc) I suddenly start suffering badly with hay fever. I always suffered badly at school but only around exam time.
So, if you're struggling with any of the above symptoms, especially allergies maybe it's time to reduce your stress and give your adrenals a break.