Slow, sluggish mornings followed by sleepless nights should not be the norm—yet for many patients, this is their experience. In this episode of the DUTCH Podcast, host Jaclyn Smeaton, ND, and guest Deb Matthew, MD, talk about the profound impact that stress and cortisol have on overall wellness. They discuss how dysfunction precedes disease and why it’s crucial to nip HPA axis dysfunction in the bud before it causes long-term, chronic health problems.They share all about the nitty-gritty of the HPA axis, circadian rhythm, and how sex hormones, thyroid hormones, and adrenal hormones are all interconnected. Plus, Dr. Matthew reveals some of her go-to recommendations for stress management. Show NotesDr. Matthew’s Stress Reduction Recommendations-          Gratitude journaling-          Breathing exercises-          Walking outdoors-          Self-care and relaxation Visit Dr. Matthew’s website https://drdeborahmatthew.com/.Become a DUTCH provider and profoundly change your patients’ lives through comprehensive hormone testing.Read the DUTCH Blog to learn more:Assessing Chronic Fatigue with the Cortisol Awakening ResponseCircadian Rhythm and Human HealthYou Need Free Cortisone and Metabolized Cortisol to Evaluate HPA Axis Health