Even though the term “Adrenal Fatigue” isn’t a recognized medical term, I’ve known far too many people who are plagued by adrenal issues.
I am amongst those people.
While I have never had a concrete diagnosis, my medical care provider did once confirm that it was likely that I had some sort of adrenal insufficiency.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Adrenal fatigue isn’t an official medical diagnosis. It’s a general term used to describe a group of symptoms that aren’t specific. Examples of those symptoms include tiredness, weakness, sleep problems, and cravings for sugar and salt.” (And of course, there is much more to it than that.)
Losing my drive to do fun and exciting activities was yet another thing I had to grieve in addition to the loss of my spouse. I had once been a bit of an adrenaline junkie but following his death, I couldn’t see myself doing much more than sitting on the couch. And sitting on the couch for far too long is what I absolutely did.
The years that passed didn’t bring back all parts of my former, pre-loss self, but some things reappeared. I began working out again–which was something that Bret and I loved to do together. We had even once owned a gym.
Basic exercise was it, though, as far as physical activities went.
Until last year.
Last year I became incredibly interested in mountain climbing documentaries. I had once dreamed of getting involved in mountaineering, but my life just never allowed the time and money for such. In March of 2024, those thoughts started trickling back in. Soon, I learned a lot about extreme expeditions such as climbing Everest and even what it takes to simply trek to and through Everest Base Camp.
This last winter brought about yet another interest from my past: hockey. Since I was 13, I have been an absolute ice hockey fanatic. Sadly, Bret wasn’t interested in it so that part of me went dormant for a while.
We did other things though, like indoor skydiving, skiing, and snowboarding just to name a few. Even though it wasn’t hockey or mountain climbing, I was still getting the rush I craved. When he died though, so did that part of me. After all, I wasn’t just mourning him; he was my partner in all of those things. How could I do couples AcroYoga by myself?
It was just this last week, during a conversation with our daughter, that I realized that I no longer feel adrenally insufficient. The thought alone of long hikes doesn’t tire me out. In fact, I feel energized when thinking of it. We finished out this last hockey season wishing for more and dreaming of next season. I blissfully adore Summer, but when next Fall hits, I am going to be stoked.
My Seasonal Affective Disorder was even milder compared to previous years. I can get in the car and drive for hours without needing several days to recover. I even need less sleep at night.
It has taken me over seven years to get to this point, and even though I am older now, I feel physically better and stronger than I have in a ridiculously long time.
This is nothing short of a miracle to me and the physical activity-loving person I have always been.
I may not have been able to bring him back, but I was able to bring myself back.
Life on the edge @ the Grand Canyon.
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About Layla Beth Munk
Layla Beth Munk is a blogger & author who was thrust into this widowhood journey abruptly and tragically on February 11, 2018. Her husband of 12 years had ended his pain once and for all. She soon made the decision that she would not let his final decision define the rest of her life or their daughter’s life, so with her sense of humor at the helm, she started writing about her newfound station in life. Grief waves still get to her, and probably always will, but with the help of her fellow widows as well as friends and family, she has been able to realize her dream of becoming a published author! Layla is so grateful to Hope For Widows Foundation for providing this level of support to her, and so many others! Layla has two amazing children, one who is grown and one who is almost grown. She lives in eastern Oregon and has a wellness & beauty background. Layla enjoys writing poetry, watching anime, and homeschooling her daughter.
Her blog can be found at laylabethmunk.medium.com and her debut novella, 24 Hours in Vegas, is available on Amazon.