Calm in Chaos

What do you do when you have a weekly blog to write, and inspiration leaves you like ink in an overused pen? There are no flow of words reaching the paper in front of you. You stare uselessly at the keyboard, and - nothing - a blank screen, no form, no color, no reflection, no meaning. The options are to use filler information, or plagiarize an idea, or type stoic knowledge with no passion, purpose, or direction. Then, of course, there is the alternative to "be true to yourself," and simply wait for inspiration to strike again. For me, my delight for discovery kicked in when we decided to take a drive away from our "nowhere" town, to the next "almost somewhere" town 40 miles away.

I unplugged. No internet, no computer, no social media, no cable, no YouTube, and no cell phone. Yes, it is true, I left my cell phone at home! It was the freest and happiest day I experienced in a long while, as we drove by a golden garden of autumn-painted tamaracks that weren't just speckled across the mountains, but actually filled acres of open land near the road. Sun beams illuminated the scene even more - it was a golden wonderland. The peace of it all filled my soul, until all worries were replaced with hope, and anxiety faded like night giving way to day.

I wished I could share the serenity and calm of God's country with the chaotic world of troubled souls at that very moment, but, all I could do was allow inspiration to once again fill my soul, and look forward to the opportunity to share its illuminating memory later. Some precious moments stay with us forever, so maybe the secret to lasting happiness is to seek serenity daily to drown out the loud troublesome noise and problems of the confusing world around us. Finding inspiration in quiet possibilities, new discoveries, and peaceful experiences enables us to embrace balance, moderate anxiety, and clarify our purpose for self and others.

Realistically, we can't unplug forever, so what do we do to minimize anxiety in our lives, and learn to cope with stress in a more healthful way? Science has revealed that stress truly produces toxic physiological changes in our bodies which initiate and promote illness and disease. The immune system is weakened, the digestive system and its ability to absorb needed nutrients is disrupted, and our complex endocrine system wreaks havoc on our hormonal balance, thereby affecting our nervous system and neurological health. Simply put, stress kills. Peace heals.

We read a lot about strengthening our immune systems, and healing our digestive systems (both crucial!); however, our endocrine system is rarely in the forefront of any health new flash. It is a complex system, not quickly or easily studied in a mere blog, but an introduction to the burdens placed upon it by stress and anxiety is education too important to be neglected. The National Cancer Institute's definition of the endocrine system follows:

"The glands and organs that make hormones and release them directly into the blood so they can travel to tissues and organs all over the body. The hormones released by the endocrine system control many important functions in the body, including growth and development, metabolism, and reproduction. The endocrine system includes the hypothalamus, pineal gland, pituitary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, thymus, adrenal glands, and pancreas. It also includes the testes in males and the ovaries and placenta (during pregnancy) in females."

Chronic stress is a primary cause in the imbalance of these hormonal systems. One way stress exerts its negative influences on the body is by disrupting the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis. A chronically activated HPA axis eventually results in reduced production of cortisol by the adrenal glands. Dysregulation of adrenal gland function may begin in the hypothalamus of the brain. The hypothalamus secretes a hormone called CRH, which tells the pituitary gland to produce another hormone known as ACTH. The ACTH enhances production of cortisol by the adrenal glands atop the kidneys; however, if the adrenal glands "burn out," no matter how much CRH and ACTH secretions increase to jumpstart the adrenals, the adrenal glands can no longer secrete sufficient amounts of cortisol. Cortisol is the stress hormone that keeps our bodies balanced as needed with an adequate supply to balance the HPA axis. When the HPA axis is imbalanced and cortisol is not available in sufficient supply to meet demand, then our ability to cope with stressors on both mind and body become impaired and exhaustion results.

Toxic chronic stress:

• Keeps adrenal cortisol high (until it becomes deficient)

• Creates buildup of abdominal fat (influences sugar control and appetite)

• Suppresses thyroid function

• Impairs memory and concentration

• Uses up energy causing chronic fatigue

Some of the symptoms linked with adrenal imbalance include:

• Hard to get up in the morning

• Tired all the time

• Craving certain foods

• Anger, irritability aggressiveness

• Mood swings

• Restlessness

• Energy slump during the day

• Regular feelings of weakness

• Apathy

• Depression

• Feeling cold all the time

So, when we can't unplug and take a drive through God's country to leave it all behind, how do we replenish adrenal health and support hormonal balance? The following recommendations will alkalinize your body (for a healthy pH), and improve overall health, while nourishing the endocrine system.

1. Consume 5 to 7 servings of fresh, colorful fruits and vegetables daily.

2. Avoid a high sugar, high fat, acidic diet (no processed and junk foods).

3. Take spirulina (1 to 2 tsp of powder daily), or take 25 mg. of chlorophyll daily, or eat a lot of green vegetables.

4. Use spices generously, especially ginger, cinnamon, basil, oregano, & turmeric

5. Spearmint, peppermint, and especially green teas are recommended daily.

6. Calcium:magnesium (2:1) liquid mineral formula (vitamin D added ok).

7. Fish, fish oil or cod liver oil (increase Omega 3s)

8. B complex and C vitamins

9. CoQ10, zinc, chromium, magnesium, choline, and methionine all support adrenal health.

10. Hydration (48 to 64 oz. of fresh water daily, inclusive of herbal teas)

11. Exercise and outdoor activity

12. Minimize stress, simplify life, worry less, be happy

These dozen suggestions are an introduction to endocrine health. Inner peace goes a long way to maintaining or regaining homeostasis (balance) in all body systems, and leads to quality of life that will be an illuminating influence on others. Seek peace for health and happiness.