With all things going on in the world, it’s no surprise stress has become an increasingly prevalent issue that affects many individuals. Whether it's due to work pressures, personal relationships, world events, health issues, or financial concerns, stress can take a toll on both our mental and physical well-being. That's why incorporating self care practices into our daily routines is crucial for stress relief and management.
In this blog post, I’ll review the importance of self care for stress relief and explore how CBD, along with other natural remedies, can play a significant role in managing stress effectively.
Understanding Stress and Its Impact
Before we dive into the self care tips, let's first understand what stress is and its impact on our daily lives. Stress is a natural response triggered by various demanding situations, leading to physiological and psychological effects. These effects can range from increased heart rate and blood pressure to feelings of anxiety and irritability.
There are different types of stress, including acute, chronic, and episodic stress. Acute stress occurs in short-lived situations, such as a sudden deadline at work. Chronic stress, on the other hand, persists over an extended period and can have severe consequences for our health if left unaddressed. Episodic stress refers to frequent episodes of acute stress, which can lead to burnout and other health issues.
According to the American Institute of Stress, 2 in 3 adults (67%) experienced increased stress over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, and 55% of Americans continue to feel stressed throughout the day. Statistics also indicate that stress-related health issues are becoming increasingly common, with a significant number of individuals reporting symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, and physical pain. Identifying the causes of stress is essential in developing effective strategies for stress relief. Common stressors include everyday pressures, situational triggers, and physical issues or pain.
Natural Stress Relief Remedies
When it comes to managing stress and promoting overall well-being, incorporating natural remedies into our self-care routines can be highly beneficial. These natural approaches can easily be worked into your regular health and wellness routine, making it easier to be stress free! From practicing mindfulness and meditation to using aromatherapy, these gentle yet effective methods help promote relaxation and balance in our fast-paced world.
Aromatherapy
The calming effects of essential oils, such as lavender and chamomile, have been well-documented. Incorporating aromatherapy into your self-care routine through diffusers or applying essential oils can help create a soothing environment and reduce stress.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha, a powerful adaptogenic herb, has long been celebrated for its remarkable stress-reducing properties. This incredible herb supports the body in adapting and responding more effectively to daily stressors, facilitating a greater sense of calm, relaxation, and overall well-being.
Breathwork & Meditation
Practices like breathwork and meditation have gained widespread recognition for their ability to help reduce stress and promote relaxation. These techniques involve focusing on the present moment and quieting the mind, which can help alleviate anxiety and improve overall well-being.
Exercise
Engaging in regular physical activity is not only beneficial for our physical health, but also plays a crucial role in mental health for stress management. Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood boosters, and can help reduce stress levels.
Mindfulness & Journaling
Practicing mindfulness can help bring feelings back to a positive space in a time of stress or anxiety. Writing down thoughts and feelings, good or bad, can provide a sense of release and clarity, reducing stress and promoting emotional well-being.
Using CBD for Stress Relief
CBD (cannabidiol) has emerged as an effective option to help with stress relief, gaining popularity for its natural calming effects to help manage stress. CBD is a non-psychoactive compound derived from the hemp plant, and it interacts with our body's endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in regulating stress and anxiety. CBD can help manage stress in several ways, such as:
- Anxiety Reduction: CBD interacts with receptors in the brain that regulate mood and anxiety. It may help reduce feelings of anxiety and promote a sense of calm.
- Stress Response Regulation: CBD may influence the body's stress response by reducing cortisol levels, a hormone associated with stress. This can help manage stress levels and promote relaxation.
- Sleep Improvement: CBD has been reported to help improve sleep quality by reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation. Getting adequate sleep can help the body better cope with stress.
- Mood Enhancement: CBD may help elevate mood by interacting with serotonin receptors in the brain. This can potentially improve overall well-being and resilience to stressors.
- Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Chronic stress can lead to inflammation, which may lead to various health issues. CBD's anti-inflammatory properties may help reduce the effects of stress on the body.
- Pain Relief: Using CBD may help reduce chronic pain that can cause stress on the body. By improving physical well-being, your mental well-being will improve as well.
- Cognitive Function: CBD has been shown to have potential benefits for improving cognitive function, which can help the body better cope with stressful situations.
Choosing the Right CBD Product for Stress Relief
Finding the right CBD product for stress relief is essential for optimal results. You’ll want to factor in a number of personal preferences and needs to see how CBD can align with your lifestyle to manage stress. Main factors to consider are administration type and concentration.
You can find CBD in a variety of forms, including gummies, tinctures, capsules, and topicals. Experimenting with different types can help you find what works best for your lifestyle. For example, tinctures and gummies are conveniently portable for on-the-go stress relief, whether at work or running errands.
Capsules and gummies can also be easily taken at any point of the day when stress management is needed, morning or night. And if you’re winding down after a long day, adding a CBD tincture to a calming mug of chamomile tea or taking a specially formulated Calming gummy after dinner, may help set you up for a great night of rest so you can be stress-free the next morning.
In addition to different forms of CBD, there are a variety of concentrations of CBD for stress relief. There are many products on the market, ranging from CBD to THC and everything in between. Broad-spectrum CBD contains multiple cannabinoids and terpenes, but no THC. Full-spectrum CBD contains all the natural compounds found in hemp, including a trace amount of THC that some say help boost the benefits of CBD. Delta 9 THC made from hemp is another cannabinoid that can be ideal for those looking for a higher dose of stress and anxiety relief. If you’re new to Delta 9, just remember to start with a partial dose first and then work your way up slowly to a full dose.
Improving Your Self Care Routine with Stress Relief & CBD
Managing stress is an important part of a self care plan. Incorporating natural stress relief techniques and CBD into your self care routine can be the key to improving your overall health and wellbeing so you can feel your best. Taking some time to practice yoga, meditate, journal, or go for a walk can be beneficial in reducing stress levels. Adding CBD into your natural self care routine can also help reduce stress levels while providing other benefits such as providing relief from pain or helping ease inflammation.
As you find new ways to manage stress and anxiety, remember that self care is an ongoing practice that requires consistency for results that can last you a lifetime.
About Lucille Vega, MD
Dr. Lucille Vega is a highly experienced board-certified physician with a strong passion for cannabinoid medicine and its potential in improving patients' lives. She received her MD from Dartmouth, completed a residency at Brown University, and has 23 years of practice in Family Medicine. Dr. Vega is the physician/owner of Vega Direct Medical Family Practice, and has dedicated the past 7 years to incorporating Cannabinoid Medicine into her medical approach.