If you wake up tired, drag through the day, and then lie in bed wide awake at night — you’re not lazy or broken. This episode breaks down the science-backed truth about the flat cortisol curve — why your stress hormones may be stuck in “low battery mode” all day, and how to gently guide your body back into rhythm.

Cortisol isn’t just a stress hormone — it’s your body’s natural rhythm keeper. When that rhythm flattens from months or years of stress, your energy, focus, mood, and sleep all take the hit. Regular labs often miss it, but functional testing and simple daily practices can reveal what’s really happening beneath the surface.

In this episode, we’ll cover:

• What a flat cortisol curve really means (and why it’s often called “adrenal fatigue”)
• The most common symptoms, from brain fog and low stress tolerance to sugar cravings and constant exhaustion
• Why standard labs miss the root cause of all-day fatigue
• The real-life causes behind a flat cortisol curve — long-term stress, disrupted sleep, blood sugar swings, and hidden stressors
• Gentle, science-backed steps to reset your cortisol rhythm (without pushing harder or relying on caffeine)

If you’ve tried resting, eating well, or taking supplements but still feel like a “zombie” all day, your stress response may just need the right cues to feel safe again.

Join my free community, The Garden — a safe, supportive space for women healing from chronic stress, fatigue, and gut issues: https://www.drmckenzybrewer.com/community

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Links & Resources:

Join the Nervous System Healing Code Program → https://www.bloominwell.com/the-nervous-system-healing-code

Book a One-on-One Consult → https://www.bloominwell.com/virtual-clinic-services

Explore the Gut Health Reset → https://www.drmckenzybrewer.com/gut-health-reset-course