Chronic Stress Recovery in North Texas: BHRT & Wellness Solutions
Chronic stress didn’t start in 2020, but for countless people, that year marked a turning point — when stress stopped being temporary and became a way of life. The pandemic upended our sense of safety, routine, and connection. Now, five years later, many of us have remained stuck in “survival mode,” operating on high alert, burned out, exhausted, and wondering why we still feel so off.
“Since 2020, I’ve seen more patients than ever feeling anxious, depleted, and disconnected from themselves. They often think something is wrong with them, but what’s really happening is their bodies are still responding to years of unrelenting stress. This isn’t weakness. It’s biology. And it’s absolutely treatable.”
~ Dr. Fliedner
If you’ve asked yourself, Why am I still so tired, anxious, or unfocused? You’re not alone. These are not just personal shortcomings. These are physiological responses to years of chronic stress. The good news? You can reset. You can rebuild. And you can feel like yourself again.
Let’s explore how stress rewires the body, what today’s leading experts recommend, and how solutions like BHRT and targeted supplementation can help you move forward with resilience.
All Stress Isn’t Bad — But Chronic Stress Is
Dr. Aditi Nerurkar, Harvard Medical School physician and world-renowned stress expert, makes an important distinction: not all stress is harmful. She explains that some stress is healthy and even essential. It helps move us toward meaningful goals and a fulfilling life.
This type of stress, known as adaptive stress, occurs when we’re stepping into something new or challenging. It gives us focus, energy, and motivation. Think of preparing for a big presentation, learning a new skill, starting a business, or having a baby. These situations can be demanding, but they help us grow and build resilience.
Problems begin when stress doesn’t let up. When demands continue to rise without the space to recover, the body begins to change. Cortisol levels stay elevated. Sleep becomes harder. Emotions feel unpredictable. The nervous system never gets the signal that it’s safe to relax.
This is maladaptive stress, and over time, it leads to burnout. According to Dr. Nerurkar, that’s precisely what many people are experiencing today — a prolonged, unrelenting stress that the body was never designed to carry.
The good news is that this state can be reversed. With the proper awareness and support, you can reset.
The Biology of Burnout: What Stress Does to Your Body
When stress is chronic, your body stops functioning normally. Here’s how:
- The brain: Long-term stress reshapes your brain, reducing memory, decision-making, and emotional regulation.
- The hormones: Cortisol levels spike, disrupting everything from energy and sleep to metabolism and mood.
- The immune system: You become more vulnerable to illness, inflammation, and fatigue.
- The gut: Stress alters gut bacteria, causing bloating, weight gain, and digestive distress.
You’re not imagining things. You’re just stuck in a pattern your body can’t escape without help.
What Chronic Stress Looks Like
Dr. Nerurkar identifies some clear, common signs that you’re no longer dealing with healthy stress, but the chronic kind that changes how your brain and body function:
- Your inner critic is loud.
Like the hounds of hell, your inner critic torments you with relentless messages: “You should have known better.” “You’re not enough.” “What if I can’t do this?” If this kind of self-talk feels familiar, your stress response is likely overactive. - You’re doomscrolling.
We scroll and scan headlines for danger, subconsciously trying to feel safe. However, social media and clickbait headlines activate the same fear circuitry in the brain, exacerbating the issue. - You’re stress-eating.
Cravings for sugar or comfort food (especially at night) are often your body’s way of coping with emotional overload. - Revenge Bedtime Procrastination
This happens when you stay up late even though you’re exhausted, simply because it’s the only time in the day that feels like yours. Scrolling, snacking, or watching just one more episode can feel like small acts of control after a long, demanding day. However, over time, sacrificing sleep in this way chips away at your body’s ability to recover and regulate stress, ultimately worsening fatigue and burnout. - Your amygdala is stuck in caveman mode.
The amygdala is the part of your brain responsible for fight-or-flight. When chronically activated, it keeps you on high alert 24/7 — mentally exhausted, emotionally reactive, and physically depleted.
The Brain Can Reset — But it Takes a Plan
Dr. Nerurkar’s core message is hopeful: stress is measurable, manageable, and reversible. In her book, The Five Resets, she outlines five key areas where small changes can create a big shift:
- Sleep
Deep, consistent rest is one of the fastest ways to heal from chronic stress. Start with basic sleep hygiene: same bedtime, no screens an hour before bed, and a dark, cool room. - Movement
Gentle daily movement — like walking, stretching, or yoga — sends safety signals to your nervous system and helps regulate cortisol. - Diet
Reduce sugar, processed food, and caffeine. Add in whole foods, healthy fats, and plenty of water to give your brain and body the fuel they need to stabilize. - Media Use
Set boundaries. Limit news and social media scrolling, especially at night. Trade screen time for books, music, or actual rest. - Connection
Isolation worsens chronic stress. Real, in-person connections (or even a phone call) lower blood pressure, improve immune function, and help calm the amygdala.
BHRT: Hormonal Help to Restore Balance
At North Texas Vitality, we use Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) to help patients address hormonal imbalances that result from or worsen chronic stress.
If you’re struggling with:
- Exhaustion or poor sleep
- Weight gain around the midsection
- Mood swings or anxiety
- Brain fog or forgetfulness
- Low libido or motivation
… it could be a hormonal imbalance, not just “stress.” BHRT works to restore your natural levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone using plant-based hormones biologically identical to your body’s own. Patients often report feeling like themselves again — clearer, calmer, and more resilient.
Targeted Supplements for Chronic Stress Recovery
Supplements can provide much-needed support while your body resets. Here are a few we recommend:
- Stress Essentials Balance – From NutriDyn, this is an herbal support for healthy adrenal function.
- Magnesium Citrate – From NutriDyn, this supplement helps reduce anxiety and improve nerve and muscle function.
- Best Night Sleep – From Biote, this nutraceutical now features L-theanine, which helps you fall asleep faster and sleep deeper.
- ADK 5 – This nutraceutical from Biote is a combination of three essential vitamins that support normal bone health in men and women.
- Omega Pure DHA 600 – Omega-3 Fatty Acid Support for Immune, Brain, Eye, and Prenatal Health from NutriDyn
- Neuro Balance – Nutritional Support for Healthy Nerve Function from NutriDyn
Dr. Fliedner and his team will customize your supplement plan to support your unique needs, whether you’re dealing with anxiety, fatigue, mood swings, or sleep disruptions.
You’ve Survived — Now it’s Time to Thrive
The past few years have tested us all. But surviving isn’t the same as healing, and it’s not where the story should end.
“So many people are stuck in survival mode, thinking this level of exhaustion is normal. It’s not. You deserve to feel clear, calm, and well again, and we can help you get there.”
— Dr. Fliedner
Whether you’re managing burnout, rebuilding after hormone shifts, or just trying to reclaim your energy, we’re here to help. With the right tools — including BHRT, supplementation, chronic stress resets, and compassionate medical care — you can shift from a reactive to a resilient state.
Start Your Reset Today
Schedule your consultation with Dr. Fliedner. Discover how we can support your stress recovery with personalized hormone therapy, supplements, and whole-body wellness care.
Below are some links to other articles on chronic stress and wellness.