Understanding Stress Addiction and How It Affects Your Health
Natural Stress Relief in Rice Lake, WI
April is National Stress Awareness Month, a perfect time to pause and reflect on how stress impacts your health. Most of us know what it feels like to be stressed – that tightness in your chest, racing thoughts, and sense of overwhelm. But what happens when stress becomes so routine that it feels “normal”? For many people, stress becomes an addiction, and it can take a toll on every system in the body.
At Point of Renewal Integrated Health in Rice Lake, WI, we help people manage stress naturally using a blend of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Functional Medicine, energy-based healing, and natural supplements.
What Is Stress Addiction?
Stress addiction develops when your body becomes conditioned to function under pressure. Over time, the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline can become something your body craves, leading you to seek urgency or chaos, even subconsciously. While this may temporarily increase focus or energy, it comes at a cost.
Common symptoms of chronic stress and stress addiction include:
- Brain fog and difficulty concentrating
- Digestive issues (IBS, bloating, reflux)
- Mood swings and irritability
- Tension in the jaw, neck, and shoulders
- Skin flare-ups (eczema, acne)
- Fatigue despite sleep
- Increased illness frequency
- Emotional detachment or overreactions
If you experience several of these regularly, you may be living in a chronic stress state without realizing it.
Breaking the Cycle: Natural Stress Relief Strategies
Fortunately, you don’t have to stay stuck. Healing begins when you recognize the pattern and begin making small shifts in how you care for your body and mind. Below are evidence-based and TCM-supported strategies to help reset your nervous system.
Simple Self-Care That Help
Gentle Movement – Activities like yoga, tai chi, and walking help release tension and regulate cortisol levels without overstimulating the body.
Soothing Baths – Add Epsom salts and essential oils like lavender to a warm bath to relax muscles and calm the nervous system.
Breathwork & Meditation – Deep belly breathing or guided meditations signal safety to your brain. Just 5–10 minutes a day can make a difference.
Journaling – Writing helps process emotions and clarify thoughts, reducing internal pressure and creating mental space.
Prayer & Reflection – For many, spiritual connection offers grounding, peace, and resilience in difficult times.
Nutrition – Eat nourishing whole foods to support digestion and energy. Avoid processed foods and foods high in sugar.
Nature Time – A short walk or time outside in the sun and fresh air lowers cortisol and restores a sense of connection and calm.
When You Need More Support: Professional Services That Help
Sometimes stress runs deeper than self-care can reach. At Point of Renewal Integrated Health, we offer services that address stress from all angles—body, mind, and spirit.
Acupuncture for Stress Relief
Acupuncture helps regulate the nervous system by restoring balance to the flow of energy (Qi) in the body. In TCM, stress is often seen as liver Qi stagnation or heart imbalances. Acupuncture can help:
- Lower cortisol
- Improve sleep
- Calm emotional turbulence
- Reduce muscle tension and pain
Integrative Wellness Fusion
This signature service combines Acupuncture, Reiki, Access Bars, Kinesiology, and other healing modalities in one powerful healing session. Practitioners Dr. Maria Johnson Narveson (Doctor of Acupuncture & TCM) and Lisa Whitish (Reiki Master) customize each session to:
- Release emotional blocks
- Support energy flow
- Regulate the nervous system
- Promote long-term balance
- Relieve Stress
CBD from Lake Roots Company
Our in-house brand, created by Dr. Maria Johnson Narveson, L,Ac, DACM, Lake Roots Company, offers full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD oils and topicals designed to support stress recovery. CBD works with the endocannabinoid system to:
- Reduce anxiety
- Improve sleep
- Ease muscle tension
Explore options at www.lakeroots.com.
ZYTO Elite Lifestyle Scan
This unique, non-invasive scan identifies stress-related imbalances in the body that are personal to you and helps identify:
- The right supplements that your body needs
- Lifestyle changes that support healing
- Discover affirmations that energetically support mindset shifts
Hydromassage Bed (First 15 Minutes Free!)
Our Hydromassage Bed combines warmth and water pressure to soothe muscles, increase circulation, and ease both physical and mental tension. A perfect reset when you’re feeling overwhelmed. All new clients get their first 15 minutes free! We know you’ll love this completely customizable massage bed!
Services for Veterans
Dr. Maria Johnson Narveson is a proud VA Community Care Provider, helping veterans with:
- PTSD
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Chronic pain
- Stress-related conditions
If you’re a veteran enrolled in VA healthcare, you may qualify for free acupuncture treatments. Here’s how:
- Schedule an appointment with your VA provider
- Ask for a referral to Point of Renewal Integrated Health with Dr. Maria Johnson Narveson, L, Ac, DACM
- Once approved, we’ll contact you to schedule
We are honored to provide natural stress management for veterans throughout Rice Lake and Northwest Wisconsin.
Ready to Feel Like Yourself Again?
You don’t have to live in a constant state of tension. With the right care, you can break the cycle of stress addiction and return to a place of calm, clarity, and balance.
💚 Visit or Connect With Us:
610 West Avenue Suite A2 Rice Lake, WI 54868www.pointofrenewal.com
www.lakeroots.com
Serving Rice Lake, WI and surrounding Northwest Wisconsin
Questions? 715-296-7467 Reach out anytime—we’re happy to help!
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