Harboring Resentment & Adrenal Fatigue: 7 Tips to Let It Go
by Rochelle Griffin
Have you ever heard of the phrase “Living With Resentment Is Like Taking Poison and Hoping the Other Guy Will Get Sick?” There is more truth to it than you may realize. Unfortunately resentful people don’t realize that they are actually doing a major disservice to their body. External stress (the kind of stuff that we have some level of control over) is taxing their adrenal function and can lead to adrenal fatigue.
People can actually become addicted to resentment, being blind to how it’s affecting not only their body, but the people around them as well. Before they know it, they are in a downward spiral into the world of adrenal fatigue.
I knew someone in the past that was very resentful towards me (still for reasons unknown) and continues to hold a grudge to this day. This resentment doesn’t affect me in the slightest way, other than to make me genuinely sad that she hasn’t let it go. I happen to know that this negativity does, however, continue to affect her current relationships. She’s simply blind to it.
When you feed yourself this kind of poison, your adrenal glands react just as if you are under a physical attack. Our body isn’t made to know the difference…it’s simply knows to keep us safe. So our adrenals excrete cortisol, along with other fight or flight hormones, to help us cope. When we are under chronic stress…including things like harboring anger and resentment, our adrenals are constantly reacting…and eventually they are going to give out, rendering them ineffective.
Please know that while I’m not a therapist, I’ve had to deal with my own resentments in the past. I want to share a few tips that I found particularly helpful.
7 Tips for letting go of resentment:
- Give it to God and pray.
- Acknowledge your part in the situation.
- Forgive the other person. This is more for you than anyone else.
- Call a truce with the other person.
- Check your own motives.
- Be grateful for all of the wonderful things in your life.
- If needed, talk to a professional
Adrenal fatigue won’t go away on it’s own. It takes therapeutic intervention. If you don’t deal with your emotions and continue to allow them to rule you (after all, repression IS the seed to depression,) any therapeutic intervention will be ineffective and useless.
Do yourself AND your body a favor…let the resentment go.
To Living Your Best Life,
Rochelle Griffin, RN BSN FDN-P
Rochelle Griffin, The Wellness Detective™, is a Registered Nurse (with over 22 years experience) & a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition™ Practitioner who has transitioned her love for fitness, health, & freedom into a 7-figure International company that now helps others live Their Best Life.
She founded Your Best Life, Inc with her husband Keith after stepping onto the edge of physical ruin with her health & the health of their young son. Having experienced a complete turn-around, they now desire to give hope & support to those who are dissatisfied with their current situation.
PS. If you found this post to be of any value to you, please COMMENT below!
Beth Kuykendall says
August 17, 2014 at 9:20 amLove all your posts and believe me that hit home!
Thanks, Beth
Karen cox says
August 17, 2014 at 9:22 amI hear this message I’ve lost my brother bcz of depression and self worth I feel what he felt never good enough though everyday it’s a struggle for me to continue to do what is right and work hard but,,,, I feel like I’m slowly dying inside not happy and when I should b I’m still not idk what to do anymore but my best thank u
Rochelle Griffin says
August 17, 2014 at 3:41 pmKaren, if you are having these feelings, please reach out and tell your family and your doctor. Yes you want to heal adrenal fatigue, but acute depression often needs counseling and/or medications to help. There is zero shame in this. Please get help! Sending blessings your way. 🙂
jamie says
August 17, 2014 at 10:36 amThank u
Katie says
August 17, 2014 at 10:38 amThis article perfectly explains my life. I have had major anxiety issues since I was a child. I stress about every little thing in my life. My emotions rule me, and I have little control over them. Another issue that I struggle with is reaentment and holding grudges. I won’t forgive people, because I feel that makes me weak. Holding on to this for a lifetime feels awful, but it’s all I know. My health and even my weight are suffering from stress. I love this article and I am going to try applying these 7 steps. I would love to read more if you have more articles. Thank you and God bless. 🙂
Becca says
August 24, 2014 at 1:34 pmKatie, I know what you mean. But I have finally realized that forgiving makes me strong, not weak. I pray for the individuals who have done me wrong in my life – there are only three – and while I know they will never be my friends again, in each case I have tried to follow the above advice and it has helped immensely. There is anger and resentment but we must turn it over to God. Praying for my “enemies” (and I never meant for them to be so) gives me peace and a feeling of power, not weakness. I am sincere in my prayers, at least I hope I am! Best to you!
Christine says
August 18, 2014 at 8:24 pmI feel a sense of calm after reading your posts. Thank you.
Rochelle Griffin says
August 19, 2014 at 9:34 amThat makes me happy! 🙂
Julianne Kraus says
October 9, 2014 at 8:33 pmExcellent article . I would love to know of a practitioner In the Pittsburgh area who specializes in this
Rochelle Griffin says
October 11, 2014 at 7:12 amJulianne, thank you so much! I actually work with people all over the US and Canada. Would love to chat. You can schedule a consultation at http://rochellegriffin.com/consults. 🙂
Andrea says
April 13, 2015 at 3:53 pmThank you. This is very helpful, although I struggle to forgive. I want to, but find it very difficult. Alas, I will continue to try…..always hopeful.
Andrea
Anita Williams says
April 14, 2015 at 1:56 amJust would like to say thank you . I always find your posts to be very helpful to me. I have high anxiety and clinical depression plus injury to my spine (pain) no one has ever spoken to me the way you do.
Thank you I realize that I need to hear what you have to say.
Anita
Esperanza Sustaita says
April 14, 2015 at 1:37 pmThis was a very helpful article. Thank you.
Michelle says
April 15, 2015 at 12:26 amReally needed to hear this right now. Must be a God thing. As someone who is healing from adrenal fatigue this advice and recognition are vital to emotional and physical health. Thank you. Although I will say learning to love people who hate me or have wronged me is a constant struggle for me. I am seeking God’s wisdom and guidance in this. ♡♡
Anwar Mitchell says
April 15, 2015 at 12:31 amThis information seems to be spot on however it was posted… it’s reassuring I have been experiencing these symptoms didn’t know exactly why though. I am experiencing and have experienced all of the situations that are said to cause these issues with fatigue. If this information is true it’s amazing I am doing as good as I am. I would have to say that had it not been for my faith I would be way worse off according to this information. Hopefully I can begin a real healing process from this point on