When the “hormone word” comes up, it’s really alluring to put all the attention on the thyroid gland. Some may say the thyroid’s a movie star of sorts when it comes to the endocrine system for two reasons:
1. It’s easy to test.
By test, we mean that blood tests are routinely carried out to check thyroid status.
2. It’s easy to treat.
There are medicines that are easily prescribed to deal with thyroid concerns even though the medicines might not be the answer for you. Even with this sort of “star power,” you need to understand that your thyroid is not your endocrine system.
In fact, there are eight glands in all that make up your endocrine system and four that are big players. We call them the Four Corners of Your Endocrine House.
They are the pituitary, thyroid, adrenals, and the ovaries in childbearing women or the pancreas in menopausal ladies. If you want to master your “Endocrine House,” then all four of these glands need to be communicating in a healthy way.
In particular, the relationship between the adrenal glands and thyroid is very important.
Get Your Legs Up The Wall
Getting your legs up the wall has many benefits:
• Calms the mind.
• Adrenals have the chance to rest and recalibrate so that they can communicate with your thyroid gland better.
• Takes pressure off the venous return.
• The heart has to pump stronger to get the blood back up the legs.
What to do:
Set the stage: Make sure that you’re in a quiet place and you’ve got at least 10 minutes. You’re going to want to be able to close your eyes and deeply relax. Legs Up the Wall doesn’t have the same effect if you’re chatting away on the phone or checking your messages.
Step 1: Lay on your back with your hips about 15 to 30 centimeters away from the wall.
Tip: Bend your knees and put your feet on the wall. If your thighs are at a right angle to your back, then your hips will be the perfect distance from the wall.
Step 2: Straighten your legs up the wall, so that your heels are making contact. Keep your knees straight and your legs relaxed.
Step 3: Place a pillow under your head. You should feel really comfortable here.
Step 4: Close your eyes and breathe. Place one hand on your belly and one hand on your heart.
Step 5: Bring your awareness to your breath. Inhale for a count of 2 and exhale for a count of 4.
Step 6: “Hang out” here with your eyes closed for 10 minutes. Breathe in the adrenal love.
This is not one of those too-good-to-be-true tips. It actually works!