11 Affirmations for Adrenal Fatigue Recovery

One of the most common questions I get is how I healed my stage 3 adrenal fatigue without drugs and in just months. 

Here's the truth—it was a process. It was collaboration of changes in my diet, lifestyle, stress reduction and more. But once I committed to healing on all levels, my healing went into fast forward mode. Today, I want to share one of the most powerful tools that came from somewhere I least expected.

At that time, I was becoming curious about holistic health and the idea of addressing all aspects of the SELF to heal the physical body. That's when I came across the book, Heal Your Body, by Louise Hays. 

This is where I started learning about the power of affirmations.

Why are Affirmations so Powerful For Healing?

First, we must understand the power of my own thoughts in relationship to our physical health. To put it simply, our physical body mirrors our thoughts and beliefs. So when we are suffering with conditions like adrenal fatigue, learning how to use positive affirmations to shift my thinking opens us up to powerful and dramatic healing.

It's so easy to get frustrated with adrenal fatigue. Everything seems hard when you're always exhausted. And not getting quality sleep is the worst.

When I was miserable and exhausted everyday, the practice of positive affirmations helped to fill my worried and hopeless mind with positive messages and in turn, they kept my spirits high. And what was even cooler than that, I started to see my physical body start to respond to the positive messages I was sending it.

Once I realized the power of my thoughts were directly connected to what was going on in my physical body it opened me up for amazing healing to flow in.

Let’s be honest there is a lot of negativity in this world and if you get caught up it in it will take us down!

Would you like more control, so your current state of health doesn't take you down, but instead lifts you up?

We must realize affirmations can be negative or positive. If we talk about how bad things are, we are affirming it. And in turn, we are welcoming in more of the same. Our words are powerful beyond measure.  

Luckily, though the opposite is true too. When we fill our mind with positive message that make us feel better we can attract more positive things into your life, like healing and great health.

how do you make the shift in your thinking? 

The real power comes when we learn to recognize the negative thought in the moment and then re-frame it. And don't worry practicing affirmations is not masking or burying thoughts and emotions to fester up later.

It's about recognizing your thoughts, gaining self awareness.  It's okay to be with those feelings for a moment. Then you have a choice: to stay in this negative place or replace the negative thought with a or neutral or positive one.

It's choosing to look at the situation in a completely different way. This has the power to you open up to new insights and new possibilities.

You might not believe in the power of positive affirmations until you give it a fair try for yourself.

So, when you do find yourself in a dark, sad, worried or mad state (and we all experience these times and there is no shame it in) here's where to turn...

11 positive affirmations that will lift you up and open the floods gates to healing...

All healing and health is flowing to me now!

I am always safe and protected!

My hormones are being restored to their natural, perfect state!

I am confident in my full recovery!

I'm learning what my body needs to be in a perfect state of health!

It's my time to heal!

I deserve great health!

I choose hope over fear!

Regardless of my setbacks, I always have the will in me to fight back!

Each morning, I wake up rested and refreshed!

I trust in my body's ability to heal!

Why are positive affirmations even necessary, you might be asking? Well, they aren't necessary if you're happy with your life and your current health. 

But if you want a better, healthier and happier life you need to spend more time thinking of what you want, instead of the lack there of. 

Again, we must understand our physical body mirrors our thoughts, beliefs, and feelings. 

So what it all comes down to my friend is choosing thoughts that make you feel better so you can attack more pleasing and satisfying experiences, great health, ...

Remember reciting affirmations are not about ignoring or masking your problems, but rather retraining your brain to look at situations in a different way.

So now what?

Here’s how to use affirmations:

1)   Tweak the above to work for you or make your own.

2)  Choose a couple at a time or all 11.

3) Write them down in a journal or notebook. Put them in clear view, like on your bathroom mirror or your fridge.

4)  Read them aloud to yourself at least twice daily, I recommend first thing in the morning and right before you go to bed.

It's that simple. Ready to open up the floods gate to healing?

Which affirmation is your favorite? Or share your very own affirmation with me. 

Happy and healing vibes,

Angela

Adrenal Loving Grain-Free "NOatmeal"

There is something so warm and comforting about a bowl of oatmeal, especially on a cold day. For many of us suffering adrenal fatigue, this carbohydrate dense start to the day, though delicious, can get in the way of our recovery. So voila, today we bring you our Adrenal Loving Grain-Free "NOatmeal".  (We couldn't resist that bad pun (#sorrynotsorry)). The way your typical bowl of oatmeal is handled by your body very much depends on a few important things, such as:

1. How well your body tolerates grains

2. How you prepare your oats and what you eat with them

Enjoying a bowl of oatmeal with berries, sugar, and milk is a very high sugar, low protein start to the day. This is not ideal for someone trying to balance their hormones and recover from adrenal fatigue. Instead, the focus should be on healthy fats and protein and THEN carbohydrates. This approach will help provide you with balanced energy all morning long and set you on the right path for the rest of the day.

The recipe we are sharing with you today is very unique. It has a similar taste and look to oatmeal, but this recipe is actually 100% grain-free. This recipe is packed full of healthy, anti-inflammatory fats, and blood sugar balancing protein. It will keep you full for hours while providing that comfort we all enjoy from a bowl of oats topped with your favorite fruits and lots of cinnamon. Whether you haven't been tolerating grains well lately or just want a new adrenal supportive breakfast recipe to add to your arsenal, this recipe has got your back.

Adrenal Loving "NOatmeal"

• 3/4 cup of cashew milk (or milk of your choice)

• 3 tbsp chia seeds

• 2 tbsp almond flour

• 2 tbsp coconut flakes

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• a sprinkle of nutmeg

• 1 tbsb of collagen protein powder

• optional: sweeten with a bit of honey, maple syrup or stevia or monk fruit if desired

• Top with ½ cup of organic berries and a dollop of coconut butter

Mix everything together in a pot on the stove top. Heat and stir. Remove from heat, add your fave toppings and enjoy! 

Adrenal Nourishing Chicken Soup

Chicken soup is a timeless tradition and has been the recipe of choice when it comes to helping to nourish sick people back to health. It's no wonder! Chicken soup, especially when made with homemade bone broth, is teeming with easy to absorb vitamins and minerals. It's warm, it's yummy, and it's the perfect dish to comfort you when you're not feeling well.  Today, we are excited to share our twist on this timeless classic- our Adrenal Nourishing Chicken Soup Recipe.

Part of the reason chicken soup is so great when you are sick, is because it is very hydrating. The minerals in the broth are great for replacing lost electrolytes, which is great for when you are sick and not eating or drinking much, but also great for adrenal health.  This is because mineral imbalance is very common for those with stressed adrenal glands.

When this soup is made using a bone broth, the amino acid glutamine is released from the bones and into the broth. This particular amino acid is great for helping fuel the production of white blood cells, this is great for immunity. When our adrenals are fatigued, depleted cortisol levels and hormonal imbalance can add stress to our immune system. Therefore a meal like this is perfect to add to your adrenal fatigue recovery diet.

Here is the recipe for our Adrenal Nourishing Chicken Soup:

• 1-litre bone broth

• 1 onion chopped

• 5 cloves garlic, chopped

• 3 stalks of celery, chopped

• 3 carrots, chopped

• 1 cup enoki mushrooms

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1/2 cup chopped parsley

• 1/2 cup chopped basil

• 3 tbsp tamari

• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (can add more or less depending on taste)

• 3 cups cooked chicken, chopped or pulled

• 3 cups, chopped greens added right at the end 

Directions:

Heat 2 tbsp of grass fed ghee or olive oil in your soup pot.

Once heated, add onions and cook for a few minutes until they start to become translucent. Add in garlic, celery, and carrots. Stir well and cook for 5-7 minutes until they start to soften. Add in bone broth and turn heat up to medium to bring it to a simmer.

Add your tamari and hot sauce and stir well. Add in your mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and herbs.  Simmer your soup for 10-30 mins. Taste the broth and adjust seasoning as necessary.

At the last minute, add in your greens and stir in until soft. (Sometimes I omit this and add the greens to my bowl raw and pour the hot soup on top of them. This way they won’t go too mushy in your soup if it sits in your fridge for a few days).

This recipe is very simple to make and makes great leftovers that you can freeze for a rainy day.  We love topping ours with hemp hearts for a little extra protein and anti-inflammatory fats.

All the most delicious & nourishing vibes,
Danielle + The HYAF Team

Adrenal Fatigue Recovery Smoothie

If you have been looking for a breakfast recipe that is easy to make and nourishing for the adrenals, look no further. This Adrenal Fatigue Recovery Smoothie recipe offers a potent punch of vitamin C,  sustaining healthy fats, absorbable, high-quality protein, and a whole lot of delish. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, ESPECIALLY if you suffer from adrenal fatigue. This first meal has the power to set you up with a healthy blood sugar balance for the rest of the day.. or do the opposite. The power lays in your choice of breakfast. Whether you are recovering from adrenal fatigue or simply looking for a healthy, balanced smoothie recipe that will support your blood sugar levels and your hormones, this smoothie is for you! It covers all the nutritional bases needed to set you up on the right foot for the day.

I love doubling up this recipe on busy days and packing some to-go for a healthy, adrenal loving meal available at my fingertips when I need it.

Adrenal Fatigue Recovery Smoothie Recipe

• 1 cup full-fat coconut milk + ½ cup of water

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil

• 1 tbsp grass-fed collagen protein powder

• 2-3 tbsp of lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon acerola cherry powder

• 1/2 cup frozen organic berries

• 1 cup of organic greens

• 4 ice cubes

• optional addition *1 or 2 drops of stevia, or 1/2 tsp of monk fruit sugar

Blend everything together for 1 minute until smooth and enjoy!

Want to learn more? Check out our post on essential foods that support adrenal fatigue recovery and start incorporating them into your diet now.  What has been your go-to breakfast that has made a difference in your adrenal fatigue recovery? Let us know your thoughts or share your favorite hormone friendly smoothie recipe below!

xo, Danielle and the HYAF team.

Holidays with Adrenal Fatigue: 5 Tips to Survive and Thrive

Why is it that when we are supposed to be celebrating tradition and spending quality time with family and friends we find ourselves ridiculously busy, stress and on the verge of burnout? The holidays can be a challenging time even for the healthiest of people. When you have adrenal fatigue the added stress that the holiday season brings can lead to major adrenal burnout and flare-ups. Here are 5 secrets to surviving the holidays with adrenal fatigue (and make sure you stay till the end, we want to give you a special holiday gift. It's a lifesaver).

Tip #1 byof

Bring Your Own Food. The holidays are filled with get-togethers focused around food. If you are suffering from food intolerances or allergies as a result of your adrenal fatigue, you most likely have had to give some foods up along the way. If so, you know how frustrating it can be to go to these gatherings. Bringing your own food means that you can still enjoy food and you don’t have to feel like you’re missing out the entire time.

If you’ve been following me for a while you know that on my adrenal fatigue healing journey I gave up many foods. Actually, the only thing I never gave up eating is vegetables. I gave up dairy, meat, sugar, gluten, grains, you name it I tried it. Not just for a couple weeks, but for months and sometimes even years at a time. And just for the record I am not suggesting that or believe you need to give up a bunch of foods in order to heal your adrenal fatigue. But I get what you’re going through and that’s why I always bring food with me, wherever I go.

I am not suggesting that or believe you need to give up a bunch of foods in order to heal your adrenal fatigue. But I get what you’re going through. That’s why I always bring food with me, wherever I go.

What are your favorite alternative food choices that you don’t want to live without during the holidays? Do you have a good or funny story about sharing your specialty foods with your loved ones?

Tip #2 Boost Your Immune System

During the holiday we do more traveling to the mall, to the supermarket, to events and get-togethers which all bring opportunities to come into contact with germs and other icky bugs that might be lurking around. And because as adrenal fatigue sufferers we already have compromised immune systems, we might be more susceptible and find ourselves constantly “under the weather” at this time of year.  Not good! Getting sick would put a huge damper on our capacity to celebrate.

Be pro-active about your health this season.  Keep yourself healthy by doing a few things to boost the immune system. Go to sleep just a bit earlier than usual each night. Cut down on the sugar intake when you aren’t out celebrating and (this is one of my favorites) use essential oils to protect yourself. Personally, I use the Doterra Oil called Onguard. This oil can be used internally to support the immune and respiratory system and can also be used externally as a non-toxic cleaner to protect against environmental threats. I use it at the first sign of the sniffles or as a preventive by diffusing it in the house or adding a few drops of distilled water and spraying down germ-infested areas like the airplane seat or grocery cart. I am not saying to walk around being a germaphobe to the point where you create anxiety for yourself or others, but simply being prepared can reduce your risk AND make you feel more in control and empowered.

My other favorite immune boosting ritual is drinking Echinacea tea or taking an Echinacea extract, which you can find at a health food store. Some people like Emergen-C or Airborne which are also great options. What essential vitamins and supplements support your immune system? Make sure you don’t forget to take them.

Tip #3 Don’t Fall Into the Crazy Trap

When everyone around you is running around like a crazy person trying to get everything done it’s easy to feel like that is what you are supposed to do too. Just because our society buys into the belief that this time of year has to be crazy, doesn’t mean that it’s true, or that it has to be true for you—no matter what the people around you are doing.   I am telling you that it is possible to avoid that trap. What if you could be that person in line at the supermarket or at the mall while everyone else is huffing and puffing, saying rude things to the checker or just acting annoyed, who is stays cool, calm and collected? You can be an example of what else is possible. And as Gandhi would say “Be the change you want to see in the world”.

Tip # 4 Do Your Shopping Online

We have such a luxury now that didn’t exist even 10 –years-ago where you can pretty much buy anything online that you need. So unless you enjoy being out and about this time of year or you have a great deal of patience consider doing all your shopping this year from the convenience of your own cozy couch. Get yourself a cup of your favorite tea, put on some calming music and shop away.  There are lots of options for online shopping these days—it’s not Amazon or nothing. So if you like to shop small or local, check to see if your favorite physical shops have websites…these days you’d be surprised at how many do!

Tip #5 Emotionally Prepare for Your Loved Ones

No matter how close we are to our loved ones or how much we love seeing them during the holidays, it doesn’t negate the fact that family has the ability to bring up a lot of our old “stuff” including limiting beliefs about ourselves, insecurities, failures, etc.

Prepare yourself emotionally by taking some time before you see them to center yourself. Say positive affirmations to yourself. Remind yourself how amazing you are and that your old choices no longer define who you are. Get plenty of sleep and visualize yourself having positive and loving interactions with these people.

I have just given you 5 easy tips to surviving the holidays with adrenal fatigue.

Now I’d love to hear from you. What things do you do to guarantee more fun and less stress during the holidays? How do you avoid flair up during the holidays? What has been the most helpful piece of information shared here?

Please share this blog with friends, family and/or colleagues you feel could benefit from this information.

All my best,

Angela