#81: The Hidden Signs of Adrenal Fatigue Every Tired Mum Should Know (And How to Start Healing)
Dear Mum,
You’re not just tired.
You’ve tried early nights. More coffee. Quick fixes. You’ve told yourself it’s just a phase, that things will get better when work settles, or the kids sleep through, or you finally get a weekend to yourself.
But that deep fatigue? The kind that lives in your bones, that fogs your brain and makes even small decisions feel heavy—it never quite goes away.
You’re functioning… but you’re far from thriving.
You wake up already tired. Your mood swings feel out of character. Your energy is unpredictable—wired one moment, flattened the next. You might struggle to fall asleep, or wake at 3 AM unable to switch off. And still, you carry on—because that’s what mums do.
But what if this isn’t just “mum life”?
What if this exhaustion is your body whispering (or shouting) for support? What if these symptoms—ones you’ve brushed off, normalised, or felt too embarrassed to mention—are actually signs that your nervous system and adrenal glands are stretched beyond capacity?
You are not alone. So many mums—especially professional, capable, resilient women like you—are silently battling adrenal fatigue without realising it. And they’re often told to just push through.
But pushing through is what got you here.
This post is your pause. Your exhale. A space to understand what’s really happening in your body, why it’s not your fault, and how you can begin to recover—with compassion, not hustle.
We’re going to walk you through the lesser-known symptoms of adrenal fatigue, so you can finally connect the dots. Then we’ll explore a deeply supportive framework for healing—Paul Chek’s Four Doctors—alongside insights from leading holistic experts who specialise in women’s health.
By the end of this post, you’ll not only feel seen and understood—you’ll know exactly where to start.
Because healing is possible. And you deserve to feel like yourself again.
But first—we need to understand what’s really going on.
Adrenal fatigue isn’t always easy to spot. It doesn’t show up in routine blood tests. It doesn’t come with a clear label. And most women have never even heard of it… until they find themselves unable to get through the day without coffee, sugar, or sheer willpower.
So let’s begin by lifting the fog. What is adrenal fatigue, really? How does it feel? And how do you know if it’s affecting you?
Let’s break it down together.
What Is Adrenal Fatigue (Really)?
Let’s clear something up right away: adrenal fatigue isn’t just a trendy label. And no, it doesn’t mean your adrenal glands have completely shut down (that’s a rare condition called Addison’s disease). What we’re talking about here is something more subtle—but just as real.
Adrenal fatigue is what happens when your body is under stress for too long—mentally, physically, or emotionally—and your stress response system can’t keep up anymore.
The adrenal glands, which sit just above your kidneys, are responsible for producing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These help you wake up, respond to challenges, and get through the day. But when you’re under constant pressure—whether from work, sleepless nights, juggling family life, past traumas, or even intense workouts—your adrenals can become dysregulated.
They start sending the wrong signals at the wrong time. High cortisol when you want to sleep. Not enough when you need to function. It’s like your body’s internal rhythm has lost its beat.
And this isn’t just “being tired.”
It’s waking up exhausted, even after a full night’s sleep.
It’s needing sugar or caffeine to get through the afternoon.
It’s feeling emotionally flat or overly reactive.
It’s that weird sense of being wired and tired at the same time.
Most mums chalk this up to modern life. But here’s the thing—just because it’s common doesn’t mean it’s normal.
Your body was never designed to live in survival mode. And if you’ve been stuck there for a while, this post is your gentle wake-up call. Not to do more—but to slow down, tune in, and start giving yourself the care you truly need.
How Do You Know If You Might Have Adrenal Fatigue?
Most mums who are struggling with adrenal fatigue don’t even realise it. They just think they’re failing at “keeping up”—when in fact, their bodies are quietly overwhelmed.
Let’s start with the most common symptoms many women experience:
You wake up feeling exhausted, even after 7–8 hours of sleep
You rely on coffee, sugar, or carbs to get through the day
You feel emotionally flat, anxious, or easily overwhelmed
You crash in the afternoon and struggle to concentrate
You feel wired at night and have trouble falling or staying asleep
You’re always “on edge,” but not sure why
These are the classic warning signs of a nervous system and adrenal rhythm that’s out of sync. But adrenal fatigue doesn’t always show up in obvious ways. In fact, some of the most telling signs are the ones you’re least likely to connect to stress.
Let’s look at the lesser-known symptoms—the ones that get missed, dismissed, or misdiagnosed. These are often the whispers before the body starts shouting.
The Lesser-Known Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue (That You Might Be Ignoring)
These are the symptoms that don’t often make it into quick Google searches or GP checklists. The ones you might mention in passing—“It’s probably nothing”—even though they quietly chip away at your well-being.
1. Light Sensitivity
Do you find yourself squinting in daylight or feeling overstimulated in brightly lit shops or offices? Do you reach for sunglasses even on cloudy days—or dread the glare from your screen?
This isn’t just a quirky preference. It can be a sign that your nervous system is overstimulated and your adrenal function is out of balance. Your body is struggling to regulate how much stimulation it can handle. Light, especially artificial light, can feel like too much input when your stress system is already in overdrive.
If your body feels constantly “on,” even a bit of brightness can tip you into overwhelm.
2. That “Second Wind” After 10 PM
You’ve yawned your way through dinner. You almost fell asleep putting the kids to bed. But then—just as the house goes quiet—you’re wide awake. Your mind starts racing. You tidy the kitchen. Or scroll. Or suddenly feel motivated to finish all the things.
This “second wind” is a sign that your circadian rhythm has flipped. Instead of winding down, your adrenals are kicking out a late-night cortisol surge to keep you going. It’s one of the most exhausting patterns—because it robs you of deep, restorative sleep, even when you want to rest.
And the next morning? You're back to dragging through the day.
3. Dizziness When Standing Up (Postural Hypotension)
Do you feel lightheaded when you get out of bed or stand up too fast? Maybe your vision blurs for a moment, or you feel like you need to sit down again.
This can be a sign of low blood pressure related to adrenal dysfunction—specifically a drop in aldosterone, the hormone that helps regulate fluid and salt in the body. It’s your body struggling to maintain circulation and balance in a state of chronic stress.
It’s not “just tiredness.” It’s your body running on an empty tank.
4. Salt Cravings (Not Just Sugar)
We often talk about sugar cravings when you’re tired—but craving salty snacks like crisps, olives, or salty soups can be a big red flag too.
Your adrenals play a key role in regulating sodium. When they’re depleted, you might start losing more salt than usual—triggering an intense craving for anything savoury. It’s your body’s way of trying to bring you back into balance.
So if you're always reaching for salty food, it might not be “bad habits”—it might be biology.
5. Low Blood Pressure
Do you always feel cold? Struggle with circulation? Get dizzy after hot showers or when standing still for too long?
These are signs that your blood pressure might be too low—not too high. And while it’s rarely seen as dangerous, it can leave you feeling foggy, heavy, and worn out. It’s another clue that your body is working too hard to keep basic systems running.
Low cortisol means lower vascular tone, and that means your body is using more energy just to get blood where it needs to go.
6. Hyperpigmentation (Dark Patches on the Skin)
If you’ve noticed darker skin around your elbows, knuckles, underarms, or scars, you might have dismissed it as “just skin changes.” But this can be a sign of a more advanced stage of adrenal dysfunction.
When cortisol is chronically low, your brain sends a signal (ACTH) to stimulate the adrenals. But that same signal can also increase melanin production—causing these dark patches, especially in areas where your skin naturally folds.
7. Short-Term Memory Loss (aka “Why Did I Walk into This Room?”)
Have you ever walked into a room and forgotten why? Lost your train of thought mid-sentence? Struggled to remember simple things—like where you put your keys or what you went upstairs for?
We often laugh it off as “mum brain,” but when it’s happening regularly, it can be a sign that your brain is overloaded and under-resourced.
Chronic stress and adrenal fatigue can disrupt the brain’s ability to focus, store, and recall information—especially short-term memory. High or erratic cortisol levels can impair the hippocampus (the part of the brain responsible for memory and learning), making it harder to hold onto details or think clearly.
It’s not that you’re disorganised or flaky.
It’s that your brain is running on survival mode—and memory is one of the first things to go.
If you’re constantly forgetting appointments, names, or even the end of your own sentences… this might not just be tiredness. It could be your nervous system asking for more support.
It’s your body sending messages in subtle, visible ways.
Each of these symptoms might seem small on their own. But together, they form a picture. A quiet call from your body that it’s not coping well. That it’s running on empty.
And the good news? Once you start recognising these signs, you can begin to do something about them—without guilt, without pressure, and without needing to fix everything overnight.
The Four Doctors: A Simple, Holistic Way to Heal (Without Adding to Your Mental Load)
Once you start recognising the signs of adrenal fatigue, it’s natural to wonder: What now? How do I get better?
That’s where Paul Chek’s Four Doctors come in—a simple, powerful framework that helps you rebuild energy by focusing on what truly matters: your body’s basic needs.
Not another complicated protocol. Not a 10-step morning routine. Just four key areas to gently rebalance your life—one small shift at a time.
Let’s meet your new “doctors.”
Dr. Diet – Nourishment That Calms Your Body, Not Just Feeds It
When you’re exhausted, your body often reaches for quick fuel: sugar, caffeine, carbs. But while those give a short burst of energy, they often leave you crashing—and put extra strain on your adrenal glands.
Dr. Diet helps you stabilise your blood sugar and bring your body back into balance.
Start here:
Eat breakfast within an hour of waking—something with protein and fat, like eggs and avocado
Don’t skip meals—your body needs steady fuel, not long gaps
Reduce caffeine slowly (especially before 12 PM) and drink more water with a pinch of sea salt to support adrenal function
Honour your metabolic type—some women need more carbs, others thrive with more protein and fat
This isn’t about restriction—it’s about support. Think “nourish,” not “diet.”
Dr. Quiet – Because Rest Is Where Healing Begins
Most mums have forgotten what real rest feels like.
Even when the body stops, the mind keeps going: planning dinner, replying to messages, reviewing tomorrow’s to-do list. But healing your adrenals requires true rest—nervous system rest, not just sleep.
Dr. Quiet helps you shift from “fight-or-flight” to “rest-and-restore.”
Start here:
Aim for lights out by 10 PM (even if you just lie in bed and breathe)
Turn off screens at least 30–60 minutes before bed
Try a calming ritual: legs up the wall, journaling, or a 10-minute stretch
Create moments of pause during the day—deep breaths, tea without your phone, a slow walk outside
Rest is not a luxury. It’s medicine. And it’s yours to claim.
Dr. Movement – Move to Recharge, Not to Deplete
If you’ve been doing intense workouts—or no movement at all—your body might be asking for something different.
With adrenal fatigue, you want to build energy, not burn it.
Dr. Movement is all about the right kind of movement for where you are now. Gentle, restorative, nourishing.
Start here:
Replace intense cardio with 20-minute walks in nature
Try restorative movement: pelvic floor breathing, foam rolling, mobility work
Stretch daily to release built-up tension—especially through your hips, chest, and neck
Focus on posture, breath, and connection—not on sweating or counting reps
This is about moving to feel better, not to “burn off” anything.
Dr. Happiness – Because Joy Is a Vital Nutrient
When you’re deep in fatigue, joy can feel far away. But reconnecting with small moments of pleasure and purpose can shift your entire physiology.
Dr. Happiness asks: What fills your cup? What makes you feel like you?
Start here:
Make space (even 5 minutes!) for something that lights you up—music, creativity, journaling, dancing
Say “no” to something you don’t have capacity for
Say “yes” to a small desire you’ve been putting off
Reconnect with your values—what really matters to you in this season?
Healing isn’t just about what you cut out. It’s about what you bring in—especially joy.
Together, these four “doctors” form the foundation of true, sustainable healing. They don’t require perfection. They don’t demand more hustle. They simply ask you to listen—to your body, your rhythms, your needs.
And the best part? You can start with just one.
You Deserve to Feel Like Yourself Again
If you’ve read this far, please know: you’re not alone in feeling this way. You’re not weak. You’re not doing anything wrong.
You’re just burnt out. And that’s not a flaw—it’s a signal.
It’s your body saying: I’ve been strong for so long. I need care now, too.
Many mums are walking around with hidden symptoms of adrenal fatigue, trying to hold it all together while feeling like they’re quietly falling apart. We’ve normalised exhaustion, over-functioning, and burnout as part of motherhood—but they don’t have to be.
There is a way back. Not through willpower, but through listening. Through support. Through slow, steady, nourishing choices that allow your body to rebuild—bit by bit.
You don’t have to overhaul your life. You just need to begin. And I want to make that feel doable for you.
Your Gentle Action Plan
This isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing less, more intentionally. Pick just one of these to start with:
Notice one of the symptoms from this post and simply name it. No guilt. No fixing. Just awareness.
Add a grounding breakfast tomorrow (protein + fat) and ditch the caffeine until after food.
Go to bed 15 minutes earlier tonight. Leave your phone in another room if you can.
Step outside for a 10-minute walk with no agenda—just movement and fresh air.
Do one thing today that makes you feel good—not productive, not efficient—just good.
Want to help your body feel better—without intense workouts or long routines?
Download The Ultimate Stretching Guide for Tired Mums – a calming, practical resource to release tension, ease pain, and gently restore energy.
These short, restorative stretches are designed to fit into your busy day and help your body shift from tension to recovery—even if you only have a few minutes.
And Remember…
You are not lazy for needing rest.
You are not selfish for needing space.
You are not broken. You are healing.
And you don’t have to figure this out alone.
With Love,
Karo
Disclaimer:
This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information shared here is based on holistic principles and personal experience and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional medical guidance. If you are experiencing persistent symptoms or health concerns, please consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before making changes to your diet, lifestyle, or medication.