ADRENAL BURNOUT SYNDROME ::::PART II:::::::::

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Myth #10. Overwork for years causes burnout. This is possible.

However, it can occur due to a single shock or just a few traumas that occur

together. It may also not be related to any single trauma or activity. Often

a combination of factors causes burnout.

Whether one goes into burnout from an illness, accident, divorce, overwork or

other stress depends very much on oneís ability to handle stress, rather than

the absolute amount of stress.

Myth #11. Burnout is an overused term without a scientific basis.

Just because burnout doesnít show up on x-rays or standard blood tests does

not mean it is not real. Burnout can be measured and quantified using tissue

mineral testing. The term is not overused. In fact it is greatly underused.

A large percentage of the population is in burnout and it would be helpful if

physicians understood it better, even if they have no cure.

Myth #12. Plenty of sleep will take care of burnout. Unfortunately, this is

not so. The body is unable to regenerate its energy during sleep. Waking up

tired after 8-10 hours of sleep is a primary symptom of burnout. Like a dead

battery, the body does not recharge itself during sleep. An interesting

principle of health is that one can only regenerate during sleep in proportion

to

the energy one has. Those in burnout are ëovertiredí which interferes with

the restorative power of their sleep.

Myth #13. Cleaning out toxins will take care of burnout. The accumulation

of toxins that occurs as the body can no longer remove them properly

contributes to burnout. Exposure to toxic metals or chemicals can be an

important

factor in burnout. Eliminating them is helpful.

However, energy is required to release toxins. If the energy system is weak,

just fasting or detoxifying will not be enough. One must rebuild the entire

energy system by balancing body chemistry and providing nutrients as well. A

one-month or even six-month ëcleanseí is nowhere near adequate. It can take a

year just to replenish one mineral. For those in burnout, extreme

detoxification programs such as fasting, raw foods or even chelating agents can

be

dangerous. This is because the body lacks the vitality to properly eliminate

toxins, the eliminative organs are compromised and toxins may be redistributed

in

vital organs. A gentle, complete program of rebuilding and nourishing the body

must accompany any efforts to eliminate toxins. In fact, as vitality

improves, toxin elimination will proceed on its own.

Myth # 14. One will come out of burnout when one changes whatever factor or

behavior caused the burnout. This is not how it works. As one goes into

burnout, vital minerals become depleted and toxic substances replace them. They

become part of the structure of enzymes and body organs and glands. Although

one changes oneís diet, lifestyle, attitudes or behavior, the toxins remain.

Often, burnout does not even set in until several years after a trauma,

illness or injury as depleted and damaged cells proliferate.

Though many change their diets and get over their traumas, most people never

recover from burnout, or make only a partial recovery.

Myth #15. To recover from burnout just reestablish close communication with

those who are close to you. This is the prescription for burnout in one

popular book. However, this is not enough. Communication is also difficult

when

one is in burnout.

Burnout can greatly affect oneís attitudes, outlook and perceptions, making

real communication very difficult. Low energy by itself can impair

communication. Lack of understanding of the problem by partners, friends and

others can

also impair communication.

Myth #16. To get out of burnout, one needs to get back in touch with

oneself. This is not enough for recovery. Also, getting in touch is difficult

due

to toxins in the brain. These produce odd feelings, low self-esteem and

negative attitudes that often accompany burnout. Many people in burnout become

overly introspective, which can make them worse as they get in touch with all

their problems..

Myth # 17. One can recover from burnout in matter of months. It takes at

least two years and often longer. Layers of adaptations and compensations must

be undone. Each adaptation uses up energy so that when one begins correction,

there is little energy to work with. This slows progress and is one reason

correction takes several years.

Also, twenty or thirty minerals must often be replenished, a time- consuming

process even assuming that one is ingesting all needed nutrients. Eliminating

toxins that have become integral parts of the organs and glands also takes

time, like rebuilding a house. If the process occurred too rapidly, one would

become very ill.

If one recovers in months, one was not in burnout. Often , a small recovery

can feel like a cure when it is not. Those in burnout need an overhaul, not a

tune up. One needs to commit to doing whatever it takes and devoting a few

years to healing. This needs to become oneís primary occupation or job for a

while, allowing all other interests and activities to become secondary to the

commitment to healing.

Myth #18. Burnout is not an important medical problem unless the stress of

burnout causes high blood pressure or another symptom.

Burnout is degenerative exhaustion. It sets the stage for all degenerative

diseases, because energy is a common denominator of health. All illnesses

start with fatigue. The body is like a newer car with power steering, power

brakes and power windows. When the power goes down, the entire car stops

working

right. Burnout is a serious medical problem, although symptoms may be vague

and unrelated to a specific disease.

Myth #19. Burnout is new phenomenon. In fact, burnout is as old as

humanity. It can even help understand the rise and fall of civilizations.

Nations

often change over time. Repressive traditions can in time lead nations into

burnout. Constant wars as occurred in Europe can contribute to burnout. Toxic

exposure like lead water pipes can contribute to burnout. Vegetarian diets or

destructive religious ideas, as in countries like India, can be a factor.

Oppressive economic systems can contribute in some nations.

The process can be cumulative because children born to burned out parents

continue the pattern until the entire group goes into burnout. Melting pot

nations like America have an advantage in this regard. New immigrants are often

the more ambitious ones that are in better health and can help rejuvenate the

population. Also, nations that emphasize freedom and individual rights allow

people to devise better ways of coping and maintaining their health.

RECOVERY

Recovery from burnout is certainly possible. It takes several years and

usually requires a change in diet, improving oneís lifestyle, nutritional

supplements, detoxification procedures and attention to oneís emotional and

spiritual

health. Addressing all these aspects is the way to assure success.

Diet: Diet is an important factor for everyone. Eat protein with every

meal. Eggs, natural meats and poultry are the best sources of protein. Toasted

almond butter, goat cheese and nuts are other good sources. Avoid vegetarian

diets. At lunch and supper, have three cooked vegetables. Rotate your proteins

and your vegetables so you don't eat the same thing every day.

You may have complex carbohydrates, but not wheat and spelt. Some people are

also sensitive to gluten found in rye, barley and oats.

Excellent starches are root vegetables (turnips, parsnips, rutabaga, carrots,

onion and celery root), blue corn, brown rice, quinoa and others. Organic

blue corn chips are fine.

I recommend everyone avoid wheat, spelt, sugar and cowís milk dairy products

except butter. If other food allergies are present, avoid these foods for a

while. Avoid Isolated soy protein as it is of poor quality and contains many

anti-nutrients. Reduce all sweets, eat very little fruit and avoid all junk

food. Avoid all vegetable oils except for olive oil. Avoid all juices. They

are too yin, most are too sugary and they can concentrate food toxins, upset

blood sugar and weaken the adrenals. Use sea salt rather than table salt. Eat

regular meals of excellent quality. Switch to organic food whenever possible.

Excellent are green foods like kelp, barley grass powder and various colored

vegetables. Cooking with coconut oil is excellent and helps as well with

weight loss, candida albicans infection and energy.

Drink high quality water, not from the tap. Distilled or spring waters are

best. So-called drinking water or reverse osmosis are often not good as the

filters used to make them may be dirty. Good quality water is an excellent

investment in yourself.

Avoid all extreme diets. Your body needs a variety of nutrients.

Restriction is not a good idea. In my experience, strict vegetarians will

never recover from burnout. Follow good eating habits with regular, sit-down,

relaxed meals.

NUTRIENTS AND LIFESTYLE FOR RECOVERY

Food supplements are necessary. Kelp granules and nutritional yeast are

excellent supplements for most people. They are rich sources of nutrients and

kelp assists detoxification. Other nutrients that are very important for

adrenal

activity are vitamins A, B, C, E, pantothenic acid (B5) and adrenal glandular

substance. Calcium and magnesium are often needed. A digestive aid is

always needed. I prefer pancreatin and ox bile. Zinc is frequently needed.

Other

nutrients may be needed depending on oneís level of toxic metals and other

symptoms or deficiencies. I use hair mineral testing along with symptoms to

assess these needs.

Rest and sleep are extremely important. Plan on nine hours of sleep for at

least a few years. At times, more may be needed. Sleep is not a waste of

time. There is no substitute for adequate rest.

Also rest after meals, at mid-morning and mid-afternoon.

Gentle walking is beneficial. Vigorous exertion depletes the adrenals. Deep

breathing and stretching, yoga or tai chi do not deplete the body. Exercise

to relax rather than to build muscles.

Cleaning up your environment assists health recovery. Replace toxic chemical

products used around the house. Non-toxic alternatives are available for

cleaning and as solvents. Pesticides and herbicides are often extremely toxic.

Chemical hair dyes, shampoos and toxic skin care products need to be replaced.

Ventilate your house and purify the air if needed. Often very toxic is new

construction. At work and at home avoid toxic exposure.

Turn off televisions and computers when they are not in use. Sleep away from

these appliances. Use cell phones only when absolutely needed.

Spend some time in the sun each day. Contrary to some propaganda, half an

hour of sunshine daily will not hurt you. It is a nutrient and assists health

in many ways. Sit in front of a window if it is too cold to go outside.

DETOXIFICATION

Sauna therapy in particular will greatly enhance and speed up recovery. The

best type is an infrared electric light sauna. One can put together a light

sauna for under $300.00. Click to read about these and how to build or

purchase a kit. If you are in adrenal burnout, use the sauna daily for no more

than

30 minutes. Once or twice a week is excellent for prevention.

Other detoxification procedures are also very good. Coffee enemas are

excellent to assist detoxification through the liver. Brush your skin whenever

you

bathe with a skin brush or loofa. Colonic irrigation and herbs for the liver

and kidneys can help improve elimination.

Chiropractic, massage and reflexology can help reduce stress.

Many natural therapies help realign and rebalance the body. Making these

part of your lifestyle will enhance recovery.

MENTAL, EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL HEALTH

Often it is necessary to grow out of burnout. A key to recovery from burnout

is improving values and attitudes. They play an important part in every

single case. Negative thinking is a bad habit that eventually tears down the

body. Worry, fear and anger place added stress on the glands. Many techniques

there are to help shift oneís thinking. Inspirational books and tapes, seminars

and therapies there are many. There is no single answer right for everyone.

Searching for love outside of yourself depletes the bodyís energy. Find the

love inside yourself first, and you will find the right activities and

companions. Burnout may result if you are awakening spiritually. Your present

work

and lifestyle may simply be inappropriate. Consider different employment or

work arrangements if you suspect your stress comes from your work.

Relationships can cause a lot of stress. When one partner goes into burnout,

the other often does not understand. Many couples become energetically

incompatible. This has nothing to do with love or caring. It is important to

listen to the wisdom of the body, and not be blinded by fixed ideas.

Many methods can help one relax and tune in to the wisdom of the self. In

addition to traditional therapy, meditation and visualization exercises may be

most helpful. Slowing down is often necessary if you live a busy life. It can

take great courage to realize that by doing less you can accomplish more. By

staying home more, you can relate better with others. By resting more, you

can be more creative and productive. Change often requires overcoming guilt,

shame and feelings of laziness.

For spiritual orientation, I highly recommend A Course in Mastery, A course

in Miracles, Love Without End by Glenda Green, Journey Beyond Words and The

Other Voice by Brent Haskell and The Real Self by this author. These and other

books and tapes can help one rethink who am I, what is life about and why am I

here.

THE BLESSING OF BURNOUT

Adrenal burnout is always a wake up call. Some area of life is out of

alignment. For a deeper exploration of self, it is often the starting point.

Rather than just existing as a programmed zombie, adrenal burnout may be the

beginning of real living.

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