Life spins and as summer draws to a closer, life (at least for me) seems to go even faster. Events of the past year have left me already exhausted and running low on energy, and I have been finding it hard to keep up with just the basics.
Doing the laundry, sending emails, mopping the floors in the house or other simple daily tasks felt too much.
A few weeks ago, I took a continuing homeopathy education class on stress and Adrenal Support.
I learned that stress is any demand that challenges homeostasis.
That isn’t a bad thing.
I need to be challenged. But staying in any of the 3 stages of stress without resolution is where the problem lies.
3 Stages of Stress
Stage 1: Alarm
This stage is where adrenaline and cortisol are triggered.
Adrenaline and cortisol flood your system, your heart beats faster. You get a sudden rush of energy or focus, ready to fight or flight.
Real life example 😊
I am working away at my office, super focused on studying a case. I happen to glance at my phone and realize that I need to have dinner for the family made in 50 minutes before leaving to my next meeting. I rush home, throw food in instant pot (thank the Lord I remembered to defrost the meat the night before) and make it to my meeting 5 mins late. Dinner is made, family is fed and I am at my meeting. Stressed resolved.
Homeopathic remedies that can support you in this stage:
Aconite – symptoms hit suddenly
Remedy Picture: sudden alarm • panic • restlessness • shock • fear • “something terrible is going to happen.”
Bach Flower Rescue Remedy – a blend of 5 flower essence give temporary relief from everyday stress, panic, or nervous tension. This blend is great to keep in a diaper bag or a purse.
Remedy Picture: emotional shock • panic/terror • agitation • feeling overwhelmed • difficulty regaining composure.
Argentum Nitricum– anxiety from anticipation, stomach upset, nervousness before an event, feeling rushed, worse in a warm room and better in fresh, cool air.
Remedy picture: anticipatory anxiety • nervous haste • strong craving for sweets • physical feeling of a splinter stuck in throat • diarrhea from stress
Your constitutional remedy (if you know it) – taking a dose helps settles me when I get stuck in this stage too long.
Stage 2: Resistance
The body starts to adapt to stress, and produces a sustained release of cortisol in order to stay ready to fight or fly.
In this stage, women are at risk for developing hormonal imbalances. Note: to effectively use homeopathic remedies for long term, you need to address what is driving the stress. Homeopathy can support you, but to come back into balance, the stress needs to be dealt with.
Remedies to consider for support this stage of stress are:
Nux Vomica – Overdrive, overwork and irritability.
Remedy Picture: driven • impatient • irritable • overworked • overstimulated • unable to switch off • “I have to keep going.”
Sepia – Depletion, emotional detachment and feeling overwhelmed by demands.
Remedy Picture: depleted • overwhelmed • irritable • emotionally detached • “I can’t do one more thing.”
Medorrhinum – Intensity, nervous overactivity and chronic restlessness.
Remedy Picture: intense • restless • overstimulated • hurried • heightened sensitivity • difficulty settling.
Cortisol (homeopathic remedy) – mood swings, overthinking, brain fog, circadian rhythm disruption
Remedy picture: perfection • sense of responsibility • desire to prove oneself • craves carbs and sugar.
Narayani Adrenal Support & Adrenal Balance – this is a combination remedy made of homeopathic remedies and organ remedies. It is a remedy combination that can be helpful when unsure of what remedy to take first.
Stage 3: Exhaustion
The body has stayed in flight or fight too long and its resources are completely depleted.
Some signs of this stage are:
- Fatigue even after getting extra rest
- A weak immune system (always getting sick or taking forever to recover from an illness)
- Having to eat frequently
- Anxiety/depression that is hard to shake
- Fall apart at the smallest stresses
- Pulling away from people – it all feels too much
Homeopathic remedies to consider for support:
Gelsenium – Weakness, heaviness, trembling and nervous exhaustion.
Remedy Picture: heavy • weak • trembling • sluggish • mentally dull • “I can’t get myself moving.”
Amethyst – grounding, calming and restoring inner balance after prolonged strain.
Remedy Picture: quieting • grounding • inward restoration • emotional balance.
Thymus – organ support remedy for the Thymus Gland
Remedy Picture: not much is known about it as a homeopathic remedy as it is mainly used as a organ support remedy alongside of a well-chosen homeopathic remedy
Kali bromatum– Nervous-system exhaustion, mental dullness and disturbed sleep.
Remedy Picture: mentally exhausted • poor memory • difficulty concentrating • dullness • nervous depletion • disturbed sleep.
Action Steps
We live in an age of much information. Information alone doesn’t change your life, but acting on it does.
Here are some steps that I have found helpful in my journey back from Stage 3.
- Remove as much as possible stressors from your life
I didn’t have this choice this past year with the main stress of caregiving that consumed me. But I did have choices with other stresses. I cut back all other activities that didn’t energize me, I learned to say NO to things that were good but drained me and got help for business admin tasks that were draining. Do the best you can as in some situation
- Prioritize sleep between 10pm- 6am
- Keep blood sugar stable
Don’t skip meals or do a lot of fasting. If you need to fast, pick a food group to fast from or abstain from social media.
- Gentle Exercise
When I was in stage 2 and 3, I found High intensity workouts stressed me. I was more exhausted after a workout then before I started.
- Get outside help
What is driving your stress? Is it more emotional? Seeing a counselor can help
Is it more physically wearing? Work with a homeopath
It took me a few tries to find a homeopath that I enjoyed working with, but it gave me an outside perspective that I needed.
- Add in a restful habit or an activity that brings joy
A friend gave me this piece of advice. I put it off at first, but then God brought it to my attention and challenged me with a restful reset daily. To be honest, it changed my life. And besides working with a counselor and a homeopath, God used it to change me as a person.
What stage of stress are you in?
And what are you going to do about it?
If you are looking for a homeopath to help, you can learn more about me on my page or listen to our podcast interview with Sue Meyer.
Till next time,
Elisa
Disclaimer: Elisa and Marisa Joulfaian are professional homeopaths, and not licensed medical doctors. We do not diagnose, and are suggestions should NOT be interpreted as medical advice. Elisa & Marisa Joulfaian and Radiant Homeopathy view health in a holistic manner. Any advice and suggestions given by Elisa, Marisa and Radiant Homeopathy are recommendations for supporting and strengthening your health and do not constitute medical advice nor intended as a replacement for necessary licensed medical care. Please be in touch with your primary care provider and seek emergency medical care as needed.