157: Dr. Renee Wellenstein on Adrenal Dysfunction as a Root Cause of #mombrain

Raise your hand if you’re tired!

A lot of mamas are feeling burnout more than ever before, and too many of us are wrongly diagnosed with depression or the classic mystery illness where your doc says, “I don’t know how to help you anymore – maybe you just need to sleep more.”

Nope, doc, there are some root causes that CAN have fixes, and Dr. Renee Wellenstein joins me today from a place of personal and professional experience with adrenal dysfunction and fatigue.

You’ll learn about:

• The accident that sent Renee’s health into a downward spiral she didn’t think she’d ever get out of
• The tiny little organ that’s a big powerhouse for energy (and how we sabotage it and then it sabotages us!)
• The importance of listening to your body, watching the signs, and adjusting course BEFORE burnout sets in severely
• A fascinating little nutrient that our adrenals need and the easy 2-second way to incorporate it into your mornings

I’ve had people ask recently, “Wait, what IS adrenal fatigue?” and this is your answer. Our health is a whole-body system, from stress to emotions to the demands placed on us and even to our mindset and nutrition. Here’s how to make sure you’re supporting healthy energy for yourself!

Can’t see the video? Watch this interview about adrenal health here on YouTube!

No time for the video? Here are the notes!

Adrenal Dysfunction and #mombrain

• 0:37: Today I’m talking with Dr. Renee Wellenstein about adrenal dysfunction.
• 1:45: Dr. Renee shares her story with us. I love hearing stories of conventional doctors who have their own health problems that can’t be solved by conventional methods and find answers in more holistic health approaches. 
• 4:55: Many moms will relate to the list of symptoms Dr. Renee struggled with: extreme fatigue, difficulty waking even after a full night’s sleep, cravings for sugar and junky snacks, weight gain, lethargy, etc. 
• 6:36: Dr. Renee was diagnosed with depression, but she didn’t feel like that was the answer. She gave the anti-depressants a try and after a few months she was experiencing all the side effects, but no improvement in her symptoms.
• 8:46: After meeting with a functional medicine doctor Dr. Renee finally began finding answers.  She was diagnosed with adrenal fatigue and discovered a whole new way of practicing medicine. 

Is Adrenal Dysfunction on the Rise?

• 13:12: Why are we so tired? Is there a shift since our mothers were raising kids? We’ve maintained a lot of traditional gender roles where moms are managing the house and kids, but many moms also work now. We’re literally burning the candle at both ends and living in constant stress. 
• 16:46: There’s a lot of negative self-talk as well. Social media leads to so much comparison and self-shaming. Pressure to perform leads us to say yes to everything and avoid asking for help or sharing our own needs. 
• 18:23: We think of stress as exceeding our emotional or mental capacity, but our physical bodies come into this as well. Our adrenal system can support our capacity to handle stress. 

• 19:40: Cortisol is the hormone that should be highest in the morning to wake you up. Ideally, cortisol goes down throughout the day as melatonin rises in the evening to make us sleepy. 
• 20:57: Let’s talk about “mom brain” meaning brain fog, forgetfulness, and irritability. 

Supporting Healthy Adrenals

• 22:36: What can we do to support our adrenals whether we’re in crisis already or just want to keep them going strong.

There are degrees of burnout. If you’re feeling high stress and a little low energy that’s your sign to nip it in the bud now. -Dr. Renee Wellenstein

• 23:43: You can do all the dietary changes and supplements, but unless you deal with your stress you won’t get better. Become aware of what is stressing you out and then make a plan of how to reduce stress. Feeling trapped is one of the highest stressors, whether that’s trapped in a negative relationship or a job you don’t like. Get on the list for the next time I run my Stress Mastery for Busy Moms challenge.
• 25:36: Asking for help and setting boundaries with yourself and others is important. We feel like a failure when we don’t get “enough” done in a day, yet we have unrealistically high expectations for our days. Hint: teach your kids to cook and get them helping in the kitchen.
• 27:03: A big stressor Dr. Renee sees is resentment. Moms take on so many responsibilities and then feel resentful that they’re the ones carrying it all.
• 28:04: Self-care doesn’t need to mean manicures. What fills you up? Is it reading, taking a walk, a craft, playing a musical instrument, or exercising? Find something you love and do that for 30 minutes a day. 

Healing Your Adrenals Through Food

• 29:25: We get practical with foods to support our adrenals. It’s so hard to change your diet when you’re too tired to cook healthy food and it’s so easy to grab convenience food. Focus on whole, real foods, and take baby steps rather than attempting a huge diet overhaul in one day. 
• 32:06: When you’re healing from burnout and overwhelm, don’t fixate on avoiding whole food groups or cutting out carbs. Look for healthier alternatives like sweet potatoes or quinoa for a starchy carb and incorporate healthy fats to avoid cravings. 
• 32:48: Our adrenal glands also help with electrolyte balance. Add a pinch of sea salt to your water first thing in the morning and you might be amazed at how hydrated and energized you feel. Try this “smart” water recipe or adrenal support cocoa.

Healthy food can be easy and it doesn’t have to mean hours in the kitchen. -Dr. Renee Wellenstein

• 36:00: We leave you with one thing you can do today to get started reducing your stress. Renee’s adrenal quiz mentioned is no longer available. 

Resources We Mention for Adrenal Dysfunction

• My Stress Mastery for Busy Moms Course will give you tools to manage stress
• Try this “smart” water recipe or adrenal support cocoa.
• Connect with Renee online
• Follow her on social media: Instagram, Facebook, Youtube
• Renee’s podcast: Love the Leap with Dr. Renee