12 Adrenal Exhaustion Alarms: Subtle Signs Your Stress Glands Are Draining Your Energy

7. Sleep Disturbances (Falling/ Staying Asleep)

Sleep can become elusive when your stress glands are working overtime. You might find yourself tossing and turning, waking up multiple times, or, despite managing to sleep, still feeling unrefreshed come morning. Wellness experts often call this the “wired but tired” phenomenon, where high nighttime stress hormones make deep rest hard to come by. Although poor sleep is incredibly common, persistent trouble falling or staying asleep—without another clear cause—can signal chronic stress. Consider introducing a calming pre-bed ritual: dim lights, gentle stretching, or soft music. Skip screens before sleep when possible. Nurturing your evening self-care is less about perfection and more about consistency, helping to gently restore your sleep sanctuary over time.

8. Unexplained Aches or Tension

Have you noticed random aches, tightness, or tension with no obvious cause? Chronic low-level stress can physically settle into your muscles and joints, often in subtle ways. These aches may come and go, leaving you feeling heavy or stiff even if you haven’t upped your activity or taken a spill. Research shows stress hormones can amplify the body’s pain signals or cause you to hold tension without realizing it. Instead of pushing through discomfort, try pausing to check in: Are your jaw and shoulders relaxed? Could you benefit from a midday stretch? Honoring your body’s request for movement or rest is a powerful act of self-compassion—one that supports lifelong resilience.