Let’s get real for a moment.
I see a type of exhaustion in my clients that goes beyond poor sleep or a busy day.
It’s that deep, soul-weary fatigue — where even after a full night’s sleep, you wake up feeling like you’ve run a marathon… and you haven’t even made the kids’ lunches yet!
If you’re constantly pushing through, feeling overwhelmed by the smallest things, snappy with your loved ones (even when you don’t want to be), and silently asking yourself, “Why can’t I cope like I used to?” — I want you to hear this loud and clear:
It’s not just you.
It’s not just motherhood.
It could be your adrenals, and they’re likely stuck in a hidden stress loop.
Let me explain…
The Invisible Load That’s Not So Invisible
Most women carry what I call the “invisible to-do list.” It’s the never-ending mental chatter of appointments, meal planning, school notices, birthday parties, work deadlines, emotional check-ins, laundry, groceries — and everything in between…..
It’s called mental load, and it’s relentless.
And when you’re carrying it all, 24/7, your body reacts as if it’s under constant threat (as if a tiger is chasing you!)
This keeps your stress response switched on — meaning your adrenal glands are pumping out cortisol (your primary stress hormone) day and night, trying to keep up with the demands.
And over time?
That constant drip-feed of stress burns you out from the inside out.
The Science Behind Your Exhaustion
Your adrenal glands — two little walnut-sized glands situated just on top of your kidneys — play a major role in regulating your energy, stress response, blood pressure, blood sugar, and hormones.
When you’re under chronic stress (even constant low-grade stress like mental load), the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis becomes dysregulated.
This means your adrenals can go from overproducing cortisol (which makes you feel wired and anxious) to underproducing it (which leaves you flat, exhausted, and foggy).
Research shows that chronic stress and HPA dysfunction can contribute to:
- Fatigue and burnout
- Sleep disturbances
- Anxiety and low mood
- Impaired memory and concentration
- Hormonal imbalances
- Increased risk of metabolic and inflammatory conditions
And here’s the kicker — mental load doesn’t show up on a blood test.
But your body feels it… deeply.
5 Signs You‘re in the Adrenal Danger Zone
Take a moment. Do any of these sound familiar?
- You wake up tired — even after a full night’s sleep
- You rely on caffeine or sugar just to get through the day
- You feel ‘wired but tired’ at night — your body’s exhausted, but your mind won’t stop
- You feel emotionally delicate — snappy, teary, or just numb
- You’re gaining weight (especially around your belly), and nothing seems to shift it.
If you’re nodding along, you’re not alone — and you’re not broken.
You’re likely in a state of adrenal depletion, and your body is calling for support.
3 Natural Ways to Support Your Adrenals (and Break the Loop)
Here‘s how we start to gently unwind that hidden stress cycle and rebuild your energy reserves from the inside out:
1. Offload Your Mind with a “Brain Dump“
Every night before bed — or whenever you feel overwhelmed — take five minutes to write down everything in your head.
This simple technique reduces mental clutter, signals to your nervous system that it doesn‘t have to hold everything at once, and helps you transition into rest mode.
Think of it as emotional detox for your brain.
2. Nourish with Adrenal-Loving Nutrients
Under stress, your body burns like wildfire through B vitamins, magnesium, and vitamin C. These nutrients are essential for energy production, hormone balance, and nervous system resilience.
Some of my favourite food sources include:
- Leafy greens, eggs, avocado, whole grains for B vitamins
- Pumpkin seeds, almonds, and dark chocolate for magnesium
- Citrus fruits, capsicum, kiwi, and berries for vitamin C
Chronic stress may require a multivitamin and mineral support supplement.
And there’s herbal hero’s you’ll love: Licorice root, Ashwaganda, Rehmannia, Rhodiola, or Siberian Ginseng. These adaptogenic herbs can offer support to cortisol response and adrenal function.
Note: Qualified Advice is needed for the right herb/s for you. For instance, licorice is powerful and should be used with care — especially if you have high blood pressure. Please check with a practitioner (like me!) before starting.
3. Stop Trying to Be Superwoman
You can‘t pour from an empty cup, and you‘re not meant to do it all alone.
Let something go.
Ask for help.
Take shortcuts. Rest — before you crash.
Adrenal healing starts when you decide that you matter just as much as everyone else you’re caring for.
You Can Get Your Spark Back
You don’t need another coffee, or another motivational quote telling you to “push through.”
You need real answers, natural support, and permission to slow down and reconnect with your energy.
That’s what I’m here for.
If this article hits home, I’d love to invite you to download my free Adrenal Health Checklist – a simple, clear guide to help you understand your current state and what to do next.
BONUS: Email me (teressa@teressatodd.com) the word “STRESS“, and I’ll send you the checklist for free.
And if you’re ready for deeper support, I offer a personalised approach that walks you step-by-step through restoring your energy, naturally.
Because you can feel energised, calm, and full of life again — without needing to escape to a retreat in the mountains (although hey, that sounds nice too).
You deserve to thrive,
Teressa
Naturopath + Biochemist
Ready to kick start Gut Health? Book a Call!
This is how gut microbes can influence weight!
Probiotics can help you gain weight or lose weight by interacting with our genetics, food and metabolism.
And yes, I did say lose or gain weight……..
Firstly, let me explain that the trillions of microbes in the gut need to be varied, meaning that there should be a large variety of species. There are many different species (or breeds) of microbes, and they all have their place in aiding health — the more variety and balance, the better health results.
Back to the weight loss or weight gain issue….
Do you eat yogurt and berries for breakfast? Thinking that it’s helping you lose weight?
Well, Lactobacillus acidophilus (like the species found in yoghurt) has been connected to weight gain.
I am not saying throw your yoghurt and berries in the bin. Instead, I am suggesting looking at the overall picture. If Lactobacillus acidophilus is the predominant micro-organism of the gut, then weight gain can result.
It is about the variety of species of gut microbes. Imagine if we only have trained german shepherd guard dogs in the world. It may be a safe world, but I am sure that other breeds may be more suitable as a family pet.
While Lactobacillus acidophilus is associated with weight gain, other Lactobacillus species correlate with weight loss.
Species like Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus gasseri, and Bifidobacteria animalis have been found to support weight loss.
Want to lose weight?
Look at your gut flora to support your goal.
Tests can be performed to identify the predominant species of the gut, and specific species can be utilised to support weight changes.
Want more information about your gut health?
Or want to look at all the factors contributing to weight gain, I’d love to be able to help.
