Adrenal Fatigue: What It Is and How to Recover Naturally
- Natalie Ball, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC
- Jul 22
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 23
😴 What Is Adrenal Fatigue?
Do you wake up exhausted, rely on caffeine to function, or crash by mid-afternoon? You’re not alone. These symptoms are often linked to adrenal dysfunction, commonly referred to as adrenal fatigue.
While not formally recognized by conventional medicine, adrenal fatigue is a concept in functional and integrative health describing how chronic stress overtaxes your adrenal glands, leading to hormonal imbalances and energy depletion.
🧠 How the Adrenal Glands Work
Your adrenal glands sit on top of your kidneys and produce essential hormones like cortisol, adrenaline, and DHEA. These hormones regulate:
Energy production
Stress response
Sleep-wake cycles
Blood pressure
Immune function
When your body is under constant stress, your adrenals may struggle to keep up, leading to dysregulation in your hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.
⚠️ Signs You Might Have Adrenal Fatigue
You may benefit from adrenal support if you’re experiencing:
Fatigue, even after a full night’s sleep
Brain fog or poor concentration
Cravings for salt or sugar
Increased irritability or anxiety
Difficulty getting out of bed
Reliance on caffeine or stimulants
Low libido
Blood sugar swings or dizziness
🧪 Functional Testing for Adrenal Health
At Encompass Care, we assess adrenal health using functional lab testing, such as:
Salivary cortisol panels (to track cortisol patterns throughout the day)
DUTCH test (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones)
Organic acids testing (to assess mitochondrial energy and nutrient deficiencies)
Learn more about our Functional Medicine Testing Process and how we customize care based on your results.
🌿 Natural Ways to Support Adrenal Recovery
Recovery is possible—and it starts with consistent, gentle changes. Key components of an adrenal fatigue recovery plan include:
✅ Nutritional Support
Eat protein and healthy fats at every meal
Avoid sugar, alcohol, and caffeine during recovery
Consider targeted supplements like Vitamin C, B5, magnesium, and adaptogens (e.g., ashwagandha, rhodiola)
💤 Sleep & Rest
Aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep
Go to bed before 10:30pm to support natural cortisol rhythms
Create a sleep ritual that calms the nervous system
🧘🏽♀️ Nervous System Regulation
Practice mindfulness, breathwork, or vagus nerve exercises
Take regular breaks throughout the day
Explore low-intensity movement like yoga or walking in nature
Need guidance? Schedule a 1-on-1 consult
🧑⚕️ How Encompass Care Can Help
At Encompass Care, we take an integrative, root-cause approach to chronic fatigue and stress-related symptoms. Whether you’re dealing with burnout, hormone imbalances, or post-COVID fatigue, we work with you to rebuild energy from the inside out.
We combine:
Functional lab testing
Nutrition and supplement protocols
Holistic coaching
Trauma-informed care
Direct access to your provider
📍 Now accepting patients in Colorado and Connecticut (in-person and telehealth).
💬 Ready to Reclaim Your Energy?
If you’re tired of being tired, let’s find out what’s really going on.
Book a functional consult with Natalie Ball, FNP-BC to get started.
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