Because of COVID-19, a lot of changes have come about in how we structure our daily lives. These adjustments can sometimes leave us feeling off-balance as we navigate through unfamiliar territory. According to the CDC, social distancing and fears about our future can lead to feelings of stress, anxiety, and isolation that only grow stronger if they're not acknowledged and addressed.
Bringing in self-care strategies that can help reduce and alleviate the overwhelm triggered by these changes in our personal and professional lives due to quarantine is very important. CBD is one of the most powerful therapeutic tools available to us at this time because of its natural ability to help soothe the body and mind.
Here are 10 ways you can use CBD to help you find your inner Zen again during COVID-19.
1. Get Familiar With the Calming Power of CBD
Did you know that CBD mimics or enhances certain natural chemicals found in your body? These information relayers are known as 'endocannabinoids', and one of the most important of these is anandamide. It's such an uplifting agent in your body because it's been shown to help relieve stress and fears. Research has revealed that CBD positively regulates your levels of anandamide to help keep you calm and well-balanced.
That's why making CBD a part of your daily life can have such long-lasting, beneficial impacts on your ability to stay relaxed, even during the trying times of COVID-19. It's recommended to start with small doses of CBD to see how sensitive you are to its balancing effects. If you want to learn more, check out our '
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2. Explore the Blend that Works Best With Your Body
It may surprise you to learn that not all CBD is the same. Whether you take it in oil, tincture, capsule, topical, or edible form, the essential oil will be cultivated from the hemp variety of the cannabis plant into one of three main blends:
- Full Spectrum CBD includes all the healthy compounds found in the hemp plant, including trace amounts (less than 0.3%) of THC
- Broad Spectrum CBD includes all the healthy compounds found in the hemp plant, minus trace amounts of THC
- Pure Isolate CBD includes no additional hemp compounds, and is 100% cannabidiol (CBD)
In 'Understanding CBD Products: How to Choose the Best Ones for You' you'll discover more details about each type of CBD blend to help you decide which one is right for you.
3. Combine Yoga and CBD
Yes, these two powerful Zen-boosters can join forces to give you a double-dose of peace and serenity. In fact, there's now evidence that yoga may work to regulate the same oversight system in your body as CBD does. Known as the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), it's responsible for keeping your metabolic, digestive, neural, endocrine, and immune processes flowing smoothly.
Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, CBD can also help restore your body post-workout by reducing muscle aches and pains. This works well whether you're engaging in some rejuvenating asana (yoga poses), or participating in other exercises like running, weight lifting, and swimming.
4. Brew Some Healing CBD Tea
As colder weather moves into the Northern Hemisphere, a cup (or two!) of tea can warm your insides while helping you relax and de-stress. Adding in a few drops of CBD oil can even help keep your systems in balance, allowing for better focus on your daily projects and goals. It's best to use CBD tea bags or CBD oil marked as 'water-soluble'. This is because CBD and water don't mix without adding in a carrier oil or another solvent. Tinctures that includes a healthy carrier oil are a great choice for making CBD tea. Green or black teas have been shown to be excellent options to help you relax.
5. Have Fun Exploring Delicious CBD Baking Recipes
Cooking and baking at home are two of the most engaging social activities that people can participate in. Even if you live alone, you can find delicious and nutritious recipes online, then let everyone know how they turned out by taking pictures and sharing your experiences on social media. Make sure to add a little CBD to your favorite cookies, drinks, soups, and other recipes to give them that extra splash of 'Zen'.
6. Relax Into a Scented CBD Bubble Bath
CBD is one of the hemp plant's essential oils. Just like other oils such as lavender and rose it works to bring your body and mind back to an optimal state of balance. Using a full or broad-spectrum blend in a bubble bath allows you to soak up the healing properties of the hemp plant's natural aroma producers, known as terpenes. Products that include these terpenes have been scientifically shown to boost the power of CBD and assist with keeping your immune system strong to help keep pathogens at bay. The bonus is that while you're breathing in these delicious scents, they move from your olfactory system to your limbic system to help you positively regulate your emotional responses to difficult life events.
7. Revitalize Your Skin with CBD Topicals
You may have heard that the skin is the biggest organ of your body, and weighs in on average at a whopping 20 pounds! It's the first line of defense against surface bacteria, and keeping it healthy can give you greater confidence and better immunity. CBD lotions, roll-ons, balms, soaps, and sprays have been shown to do just that by helping boost the ECS, which regulates your skin cell networks to keep them operating at optimal levels. The best CBD topicals blend in natural aromatic terpenes, fatty acids, and other hemp compounds to give your skin a beautiful glow.
8. Try Using CBD for Sleep Disturbances
Insomnia can be brought on by stress, anxiety, and worry about the future. The less sleep you get, the more difficult it becomes to regulate these emotional responses. With CBD, the central nervous system becomes calmer, allowing for better rest and regulation of circadian rhythms by the ECS. This is due in part to CBD's role in managing the production of the stress hormone cortisol. Teas and other edibles offer a slower release of CBD because they need to be digested before taking effect, making them a great option for ensuring you get a long night's rest.
9. Discover Stress-Free Dosing With CBD Capsules and Gummies
If your quarantine life is busier than ever, CBD capsules and gummies may be the best choice for you because they offer consistent, pre-measured daily amounts that are as quick as they are convenient. This gives you peace of mind that you're always getting a regular amount of CBD, without adding any undue stress to your daily routine. CBD gummies are popular for managing mental well-being because they're discreet and tasty, and the CBD contained within them may help enhance your mood.
10. Check out CBD for Your Pet Companions
Our bonds with our pets run deep, and they often pick up on our stress. CBD that's specially formulated for cats, dogs, and other pets can assist in keeping them calm, and new research shows it's even been successful in treating the pain and mobility issues associated with canine arthritis. CBD for pets is made without any THC, which is the cannabinoid in hemp normally associated with the "high" people experience when using marijuana. To find out the details on the best CBD products for your pet, such as treats, oils, shampoos, and supplements, take a look at our article 'Simplifying CBD for Pets: Everything a Wellness Focused Pet Parent Needs to Know'.
Conclusion
CBD is a great alternative therapy for keeping balanced during these challenging times of COVID-19. It offers a lot of options for reducing stress, boosting mind-body resilience, and bringing in more well-deserved self-care. Contact us to learn more.
