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Most physicians don’t diagnose the condition and tests are seldom run. It may be diagnosed as Addison’s disease, which doctors regard as incurable. That said, alternative health care is optimistic about recovery and many practitioners believe that recovery is definitely possible. This often calls for a lifestyle change, including a change in diet and paying attention to one’s emotional and spiritual health.

Diet

A healthy diet is important. Protein should be eaten at every meal, whether eggs, meat, poultry, nuts, goat’s cheese or toasted almond butter, for example. Have three cooked vegetables at lunch and supper time. Good carbohydrates include root vegetables, quinoa and brown rice. Eat plenty of green foods and colourful vegetables.

Some practitioners advise to avoid cow’s milk dairy products (except for butter) as well as wheat, spelt, isolated soy protein and sugar. Reduce your fruit intake, including juices which can be too sugary. Avoid junk food and vegetable oils except for good quality olive oil and coconut oil. Use sea salt and not table salt.

Eat a variety of good quality food so that you get a variety of nutrients. Avoid extreme diets and adopt good eating habits, allowing for regular and relaxed sit-down meals. Rotate what you eat so that you don’t consume the same foods every day.

Supplements

Vitamins A, B, B5 and adrenal glandular substance (extracts) are important for adrenal activity. Magnesium, zinc, calcium, kelp granules and nutritional yeast are also good supplements. Speak to a nutritionist or doctor to find out what your needs may be.

Sleep, exercise and natural therapies

Sleep isn’t a waste of time even if you sleep for nine hours a day for a few years. Rest is extremely important and there’s no substitute for it. You may require more sleep at times. Rest after meals, at mid-morning, as well as mid-afternoon.

Exercise to relax, rather than exerting yourself rigorously (this can deplete the adrenals). Gentle walking outside (half an hour of sunshine a day is good), yoga, tai chi, stretching and deep breathing are all beneficial.

Avoid toxic products and environments. Natural therapies like reflexology, massage and chiropractic can help rebalance the body.

Self

Recovery can be seen as a process of ‘growing out of burnout‘. Improving one’s attitudes and values is a key to success. Negative thinking patterns like anger, fear and worry are bad habits that place additional stress on the adrenal glands, which in turn can wreak havoc with the body.

Many techniques are available to help shift one’s thinking. There’s no one answer for everybody but searching for love outside of oneself can deplete one’s energy. First find the love inside yourself.

Burnout may ironically occur when one is waking up spiritually. The beginning of real living is a gift. It may require listening to your body, slowing down and allowing for change in your life.

Tags: exercise, health, Healthy diet, Keeping Healthy, supplements