5 Signs You Might Have Adrenal Fatigue (and How to Fix It Naturally)

If you need caffeine just to feel human in the morning and then again at 2 p.m. just to make it through, your adrenals might be screaming for help.
And no, it’s not “just getting older.” It’s your body quietly begging for a reset.

Most people chalk it up to stress, bad sleep, or “just life.” But adrenal fatigue is the body’s version of waving a white flag. It’s saying, “Hey, maybe we can’t live off stress hormones and iced coffee forever?”

Let’s break down what adrenal fatigue actually looks like and how to start fixing it naturally before your body files a formal complaint.

⚡ 1. You Wake Up Tired Even After Sleeping

You hit the pillow exhausted, sleep eight hours, and still wake up feeling like you got run over by a hormonal freight train.
That’s not normal fatigue. That’s your cortisol rhythm being upside down.
When your adrenals are overworked, cortisol (your “get up and go” hormone) can spike at night and crash in the morning, leaving you groggy, foggy, and frustrated.

👉 Fix it naturally:

• Go to bed before 10 p.m. Cortisol rises again after 11.
• Avoid screens an hour before bed.
• Try magnesium before sleep to calm your nervous system and support adrenal balance.

☕ 2. You’re Living on Coffee (and Still Tired)

You could mainline espresso and still feel tired.
That’s because caffeine forces your adrenals to pump out adrenaline and cortisol, hormones you’ve already drained dry.
It’s like whipping a tired horse. It works for a bit, then the crash is brutal.

👉 Fix it naturally:

• Swap one coffee a day for adrenal-supporting tea such as tulsi, licorice root, or ashwagandha.
• Eat a protein and fat breakfast within 30 minutes of waking.
• Hydrate first. Fatigue often starts with dehydration.

🍬 3. You Crave Sugar or Salt Like It’s a Full-Time Job

When your adrenals are depleted, your body craves quick energy, usually in the form of sugar or salt.
Salt helps the body hold onto minerals that get dumped when cortisol is low, while sugar gives a fake dopamine lift.
But it’s a vicious cycle that keeps the crash coming.

👉 Fix it naturally:

• Ditch refined sugar. It messes with blood sugar and hormones.
• Add mineral-rich salt (like Celtic or Himalayan) to your water or meals.
• Try electrolyte drops or BEAM Minerals, my favorite source of humic and fulvic minerals that actually absorb.

😴 4. You Hit a Midday Wall and Feel Wired at Night

You’re ready for a nap at 2 p.m. but suddenly wide awake at 10 p.m.
Classic adrenal pattern.
Your cortisol rhythm should rise in the morning and drop in the evening, but when you’re stressed, inflamed, or overworked, it flips.

👉 Fix it naturally:

• Get morning sunlight within 30 minutes of waking to reset your cortisol clock.
• Avoid heavy meals or screens after 8 p.m.
• Try gentle movement or stretching instead of late-night workouts.

💩 5. Your Gut and Hormones Are a Mess

Low cortisol messes with digestion, blood sugar, thyroid, and sex hormones, basically everything.
You might feel bloated, anxious, moody, or wired but tired.
If you’ve tried every supplement under the sun and nothing sticks, it’s because your adrenals are the missing link.

Here’s the short version: cortisol itself isn’t good or bad. It’s about rhythm.
In early stress stages, cortisol runs high and keeps you wired. Later on, it tanks and leaves you drained.
When that rhythm is off, your gut slows down, your blood sugar spikes, and your hormones start playing musical chairs.
That’s why rebuilding your foundation with minerals, drainage, and rest is the fix, not just another supplement.

👉 Fix it naturally:

• Start with drainage support such as hydration, bowel regularity, and minerals.
• Focus on a low-inflammatory, nutrient-dense diet. My Gut Reset Plan is a great place to start.
• Reduce stimulants and processed foods that stress your system.

🧘‍♀️ In Case You Skimmed

Here’s the short version:

• Early adrenal burnout means high cortisol and feeling wired and anxious.
• Later burnout means low cortisol and feeling exhausted and flat.
• Coffee and sugar make it worse.
• Sleep, hydration, minerals, and real food bring balance back.
• You can’t supplement your way out of burnout. You have to restore your foundation.

Ready to Refill Your Energy Tank?

If this sounds like you, it’s time to stop surviving and start restoring. Your body doesn’t just need rest; it needs the right building blocks to recover from stress and fatigue.

One of the most important is magnesium.

This mineral helps power more than 600 processes in the body, including energy production, hormone balance, muscle relaxation, and deep, restorative sleep. Low magnesium is like running a car without oil. Things start slowing down, systems lose balance, and exhaustion sets in.

If you struggle with restless sleep, anxiety, or fatigue that never goes away, a magnesium deficiency could be part of the reason. The right type of magnesium can calm your nervous system, relax tight muscles, and help you wake up feeling rested and clear-headed.

Start here: Download my Magnesium Guide to learn which forms work best, how to use them correctly, and why most people are taking the wrong kind. It will help you naturally rebuild your reserves and restore the energy, focus, and sleep your body has been craving.

What is Magnesium Used For

You don’t need more opinions. You need results.
And you won’t find them by only managing symptoms.
But you’re here. You’re asking questions. You’re waking up.
Once you realize the power was in your hands all along,
you stop playing small and start building real health.

Jamie Shahan, MSN, CRNA, RN
Empowering Holistic Health

🌐 Connect with me on Social Media:

• Pinterest
• Facebook
• TikTok 1
• YouTube
• Instagram

Disclaimer
The information provided on this website, in associated blogs, courses, and materials, is for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not be interpreted as such.

I am not a medical doctor. The content I share reflects my personal opinions, experiences, and research. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, condition, or illness.

You should not rely on the information here as a substitute for professional medical care, advice, or treatment. Always consult with a licensed healthcare provider before making any decisions regarding your health, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking prescription medications, or managing a medical condition.

By reading this website or using any related materials, you acknowledge and agree that:

• You are fully responsible for your own health decisions.
• The author and publisher of this content assume no liability for any harm, loss, or adverse effects arising directly or indirectly from the use, misuse, or interpretation of the information provided.
• No guarantees are made regarding the outcomes of applying any ideas, suggestions, or protocols discussed. Results will vary for each individual.

Affiliate Disclosure
Some products or tools mentioned may include affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase through those links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I have personally used, researched, or would recommend to someone I love.

Use at Your Own Risk
By accessing this website and its materials, you agree that you are doing so voluntarily and that you assume full responsibility for any decisions you make regarding your health, lifestyle, or purchases.