Stress and Anxiety - Too much stress can adversely affect the adrenal glands

Under pressure?

The human body is created to withstand the pressures of stress – both physical and emotional. But too much stress can adversely affect the adrenal glands.

Your adrenal glands sit on top of the kidneys and are responsible for the secretion of adrenaline, cortisol, DHEA and other hormones that assist the body in coping during times of stress. They are the source of your "fight or flight" reactions.

When a person is under stress or feeling anxious, the body will pump out these stress hormones to try and cope. This “fight or flight” response is ideal if a person is in danger or in an emergency situation and needs to escape. However every day in workplaces across Australia, people become stressed and anxious over work and life pressures and the adrenal glands go into overdrive. Family, finances, long work hours, commuting, and relationships – the pressures of life can quickly build up and cause people to feel under the pump. The result? Adrenal fatigue.  

Adrenal fatigue can present in a range of physical or emotional symptoms including:

• Insomnia
• Altered eating habits
• A lack of motivation
• Inability to think clearly 
• Physical illnesses
• Increased use of smoking, alcohol or drugs
• Mood swings
• High blood pressure

Encourage less stress

You set the tone and the culture of your business, so how does your workplace measure up when it comes to dealing with stress? If you’ve noticed staff becoming stressed or anxious do you encourage them to:

• Talk about how they are feeling?
• Walk away from stressful situations for five minutes?
• Exercise on a regular basis to help boost their endorphins (happy hormones)?
• Learn to laugh? 
• Don’t sweat the small stuff?
• Seek professional help?

Workplace anxiety and stress can be debilitating for both an employee and an employer.

Call us today to find out how our practical programs and simple Tool Box Talks can help.

Sources: Core Health Consulting My Core Health Program