Should You Stop Exercising With Adrenal Burnout?

Adrenal fatigue, also called adrenal exhaustion or adrenal burnout, is the 21st century's stress syndrome, according to James L. Wilson, Ph.D., author of the book "Adrenal Fatigue." Burnout may develop slowly over a period of time or come on quickly as a result of a single trauma. The underlying cause is stress, which can come from many sources -- chemical toxicity; nutritional depletion; mental, emotional or spiritual stress; financial problems; or family or relationship stress. Some forms of exercise can be very supportive to the adrenals under stress.

What Is Burnout?

The main symptom of adrenal burnout is constant fatigue, which is unrelieved by sleep and rest. Other symptoms include low blood pressure, low blood sugar, decreased sex drive, irritability and depression, craving for salty foods, and less enjoyment or happiness with life. You may also experience increased time to recover from illness, injury or trauma and a decreased ability to handle stress.

Excessiveness

According to the Women Living Naturally website, compulsiveness is a component of adrenal burnout. People with exhausted adrenals may resort to excessive exercise, sex, loud music or other forms of excitement. The unconscious goal is to stimulate the worn-out adrenals into activity. Exercise performed under these conditions only tires the adrenals further, because overexertion is not helpful to recovery.

Yoga

According to "Yoga Journal," to recover from adrenal exhaustion, do things that turn off the adrenal hormones and promote secretion of anabolic hormones, such as growth hormone. The magazine recommends restorative yoga postures daily in a warm, dark, quiet environment. The simple cross-legs pose releases tension in the back and neck muscles and is very calming. The Viparita Karani pose stimulates blood pressure sensors in the neck and upper chest and triggers reflexes that reduce nerve input into the adrenals, slows the heart rate and brain waves, and lessens the amount of norepinephrine in the bloodstream. The bound bridge pose has many of the same effects as Viparita Karani. It also prepares the lungs for breathing practice. The corpse pose allows complete relaxation in a neutral position.

Other Exercise

According to "Adrenal Fatigue," exercise for adrenal burnout recovery should not be competitive or grueling, but should be enjoyable. It needs to increase lung capacity, muscle tone and flexibility, while being fun. This could be a combination of aerobics for stamina, anaerobics for strength and flexibility for increased range of motion. Aerobics activities could include fast walking, stair climbing, swimming or water aerobics. Anaerobics could include weightlifting, isometric contractions, weight machines and sit-ups. Yoga, tai chi and stretching exercises help with flexibility.

Recommendations

If you have adrenal burnout, exercising may be the last thing you feel like doing. You must start slowly and gradually work up to a comfortable level. Do not let exercise become another stressor in your life, but don't let your resistance undermine your commitment to attaining better health. Exercise at your own pace and not the pace of someone else. Proper exercise helps you feel better. According to Wilson, you should notice a difference in two weeks after beginning exercise.