Like many of you, I was struggling with low energy in the middle of the pandemic. After quite a few attempts to write this off as ‘all in my head’, I finally went to see a functional medicine doctor. Numerous tests later, I was diagnosed with adrenal fatigue. Learning about this condition made me realize that many people post COVID suffered from this in some form or another.

Our adrenals “produce hormones that help regulate your metabolism, immune system, blood pressure, response to stress and other essential functions”. The key takeaway here is ‘response to stress’… a myriad of symptoms point to this diagnosis, not the least of which is excessive fatigue. Our bodies are telling us to slow down, rest and recover. This message is counter to our hustle and do culture. Toward the end of my journey to recovery, I met with a wise doctor named Dr. Moon who is based in Newport Beach (yes, the very same one featured on the Housewives of OC). On this particular visit, I told him that my physical exhaustion was returning after his treatments and I wasn’t sure if there was an energetic component to it. He watched me in his quiet, thoughtful way and then proceeded to the part of the visit where he conducted muscle testing.

After a brief evaluation, his only response was a resounding, “Hmmmppphhh!”. Nothing else accompanied this non existent word that also communicated SO much. I awaited his response hoping he would provide more detail. After an extended silence, I finally asked, “So what’s my issue Dr. Moon?” His response was simply: “You’re talking too much.” I wasn’t sure if he was serious or not, but he continued to stare at me pointedly with no additional information. So then I asked, confused: “Oh no Dr, what do I do about that?”. His reply to this day, makes me laugh out loud. Dr. Moon, in all his wisdom and expertise; replied with a look of obvious certainty and says: “Listen more.” The simplicity of the message applies in so many ways on so many days.

I hope your day today will give you the opportunity to hustle with heart and “Listen more.”