Waking up with stress and immediately reaching for your phone?
Sometimes finding it hard to breath with a tight diaphragm due to the anxiety?If your day to day is anything like mine, it feels like stress and anxiety are just lurking around every corner. You get an hour or two to yourself, and if you have kids waking you up at night, even better!
Over time, you may notice you start to become used to the anxiety and stress. What you may not be noticing is the long term health problems that inevitably arise.
Maybe you have a routine to help manage stress levels? A 10 minute walk outside during the day, a quick shower in the morning or that drink or two at the end of the day.
Are you looking for other ways to relieve stress and anxiety, or add something to your daily routine that can give that extra relief to get to sleep?
In this comprehensive guide, we're gonna chat about the benefits of using hemp to help manage stress and anxiety. We'll dig into the science of how it works its magic. Plus, I'll give you some useful tips on adding it to your regime.
The right hemp products can be a great support to your stress free routines, but its there to supplement, so lets see what the science says and you can feel your best!
Article Highlight:
- CBDA and CBD have the potential to be a powerful ally in managing stress and anxiety for many suffering from the issues. Essentially, they are natural compounds from hemp that works with your body's endocannabinoid system helping you to better deal with stress and anxiety.
- You can naturally ease stress and anxiety when you avoid unhealthy habits, like poor diet and no exercise. You can also add relaxation techniques, regular workouts, sufficient sleep, a nutritious diet, and efficient time management into your everyday life.
- There's a CBDA product for everyone feeling stressed! You can find it in a variety of forms, like oils, tinctures, edibles, capsules, and topicals, each form offering their own unique pros and cons.
- When starting with CBDA or CBD, take it slowly and gradually increase when needed. Keep an eye on the effects to your body and take note how it eases your stress and anxiety levels. Remember to consult a healthcare professional for guidance.
- While cannabinoids are generally considered safe, you should still be aware that there are potential side effects. Some side effects may include tiredness, dry mouth, appetite changes, and possible interactions with other medications.
Understanding Stress and Anxiety
Sometimes life just throws curve balls, but sometimes it’s a wrecking ball. At times like these, we might feel like we're always trying to adapt and overcome the obstacles that come our way. That's stress and anxiety.
Stress is a natural response of our body to the changes or challenges in our environment. It can be in physical, emotional, or psychological manifestation. Meanwhile, anxiety is that unexplained feeling of nervousness, unease, or fear about something uncertain.
While stress and anxiety share similarities, they differ at some points. Stress is often tied to a specific unexpected event or situation. On the other hand, anxiety can stick around and bug you even when the stressor is gone.
Causes and Symptoms of Stress and Anxiety
You know what? There are so many things that can contribute to stress and anxiety. Personal life, environmental, and genetic factors can all play a role. Someone can feel stressed out because of work pressure, financial concerns, relationship problems, or major life changes.
While anxiety can be triggered by these same stressors, it may also have roots in past experiences. However, sometimes anxiety can develop without any clear reason at all.
Even loneliness can cause stress levels to increase and lead to poor sleep outcomes!
Now, let's talk about how stress and anxiety make us feel. Elevated stress hormones can cause physical issues, such as headaches, muscle tension, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. Emotionally, someone suffering from stress and anxiety can be irritable, have difficulty concentrating, worry excessively, feel overwhelmed, and experience mood swings.
In some cases, individuals may even go through panic attacks. Intense fear and physical sensations like rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, diaphragm tightness, and dizziness can also be caused by stress and anxiety.
Consequences of Chronic Stress and Anxiety
When stress and anxiety stick around for far too long, they can seriously mess with your overall health. It can negatively affect your body leading to chronic health conditions:- Immune system, making you more at risk of infections and illnesses
- High blood pressure
- Heart complications
- Digestive issues such as nausea
- Poor sleep which affects mental health
For your emotional well being, chronic stress and anxiety can lead to more severe anxiety disorders or depression. They can also badly impact your relationships, work performance, and overall quality of life.
Unfortunately, some people may resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms, like overeating, drinking or smoking, which can make things worse.
To prevent these adverse outcomes, it's important to recognize the signs of stress and anxiety. Seek appropriate help or support from a family member and health professional is also vital. Furthermore, healthy lifestyle changes that promote relaxation and stress reduction may help alleviate stress and anxiety.
Natural Ways to Reduce Stress and Anxiety
We've all been there - suffering from the debilitating stress and anxiety. But did you know there are many natural and effective ways to relieve stress and anxiety as well as lower their impact on our lives? Here are some proven methods that may help you feel more relaxed and at ease:
Relaxation Techniques
Simple relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, guided imagery, and yoga are great as a stress reliever and anxiety buster. You might think that these techniques are just for "zen" people, but trust me, and science, they really work!
- Deep breathing: involves taking slow, deep breaths, focusing on expanding your diaphragm.
- Meditation: encourages mindfulness and a non-judgmental attitude toward your thoughts.
- Guided imagery: involves using mental visualization to create a calming, peaceful environment in the mind.
- Yoga: combines physical movement and mindfulness, promoting relaxation and reducing stress.
Exercise
Physical activity is a game-changer. Exercise releases endorphins, which can help improve mood and reduce stress. It can be as simple as taking a walk in green spaces or participating in a favorite sport.
Regular exercise routine can also improve sleep quality, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and increase overall well-being.
Sleep
I can't stress enough (pun intended!) how important getting enough sleep is for our physical and mental health. Increased stress levels can be caused by sleep deprivation, which can impair cognitive function, and negatively impact mood.
Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night and establish a consistent sleep schedule to improve sleep quality.
Too much screen time before bed can also cause you to get poor sleep since it inhibits the release of the sleep molecule melatonin.
Nutrition
Eating a healthy diet can help reduce stress and anxiety. Avoid processed foods, caffeine, and alcohol.
Caffeine half life is 5-6 hours. Which means a cup of coffee at 4pm is like have a half cup at 9pm!
Too much of these types of foods can exacerbate stress and anxiety symptoms. Instead, opt for foods rich in nutrients that support brain function, such as leafy greens, meats, fruits, and fish with omega-3 fatty acids.
Time Management and Prioritization
Feeling overwhelmed all the time can only increase your stress and anxiety levels. To avoid these feelings, try prioritizing tasks in your to-do list, set achievable goals, and break down large projects into smaller, more manageable tasks.
When you incorporate these healthy ways into your daily routine, it can foster a positive attitude and better stress response. Remember, it's important to find what works best for you and make self-care a priority. Give them a try and see the difference for yourself!
A journal or diary is a must for those who want to see if their daily routines are having an impactful effect.
Hemp and Its Effects on Stress and Anxiety
When those days just happen and you're feeling stressed or anxious, you just wish there is something to help. That is where CBDA or CBD from hemp oil can help you out. It works its magic by interacting with our body's endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system inside us works like a control center for various processes like mood, stress, sleep, and even immune function.
Now, you might be wondering how CBDA and CBD does it all? It's all about its interaction with the CB2 and serotonin receptors in the ECS. Unlike THC, the compound that gives you that "high" feeling, these cannabinoids wont give you a high, so you can still function at work or in social environments.
CBDA vs CBD for anxiety and stress
If you are unfamiliar with hemp cannabinoids, CBDA (cannabidiolic acid) is the most abundant cannabinoid in the hemp flower. CBD (cannabidiol) comes from heating the natural precursor CBDA compound during extraction.
New research studies have now found that CBDA is between 450% to 1000% better absorbed than CBD, making it the most potent cannabinoid on the market!
This is critical to know, since you want to get the best natural stress and anxiety relief on the market. This is why we recommend CBDA products over just CBD.
Different Forms of CBDA and Their Advantages and Disadvantages
So, are you thinking of giving CBDA a chance? With so many options out there, you might wonder, how do you choose the best stress relief option? Check out these various forms and their pros and cons so you can make an informed decision.CBDA tinctures: I'm thrilled to find these forms to be super convenient. You can basically just put a few drops under your tongue to take them. You can even mix them into your favorite drink or food. The downside? The taste can be a bit, well, let me describe it as "earthy."
Remember to take the CBDA tincture (sublingual) under the tongue for maximum benefit,
CBDA edibles: Who doesn't love a tasty sweet and flavorful treat? CBDA-infused gummies and chocolates are a yummy and discreet way to get your daily dose. But take note that your body has to digest them first.
CBDA gummies are a great way to get started, and can be dosed by just cutting them in half or in fourths.
CBDA capsules: If you're not a fan of the taste of CBDA oil, capsules might be right for you. They're easy to pop in and offer a pre-measured dosage. Just like with edibles, though, you might have to wait a bit for the effects to kick in since your digestive system needs to process them first.
CBDA topicals: You'll love using CBDA creams and balms for muscle tension and aches. You can directly apply it on your skin for some relief. But if you're looking for help with stress or anxiety, topicals might not be your best bet since the CBDA may not reach your bloodstream.
One important part to remember is that CBDA products aren't regulated by the FDA. That's why the quality and strength can vary between brands. Make sure you choose a reputable source and chat with a healthcare professional before diving into the world of CBDA for stress and anxiety relief.
How to Use CBDA to Reduce Stress and Anxiety
Are you curious about using CBDA as a stress reliever and to combat anxiety, but didn't know where to start? You'll be surprised to know that there's actually no standardized dosing guideline available.Here's how you can safely and effectively approach CBDA for improving your mental health:
- Consult with a healthcare professional: Before using CBDA or any other supplement, it's important to discuss your health. They will discuss with you any potential interactions with medications you may be taking for a certain health problem.
- Choose a reputable product: Look for CBDA products from reputable and trustworthy companies. They'll be able to provide third-party lab test results so you can ensure the quality and purity of the CBDA you are buying.
- Start with a low dose: Begin with a low dose. You can start at 20-40 mg per day, and monitor the effects on your stress and anxiety levels.
- Gradually increase the dose: If you do not experience the desired effects after a few days, you can gradually increase the dose by 10-20 mg increments. You can do this until you find the optimal dosage for your individual needs.
- Monitor your response: Keep track of your stress and anxiety levels while using CBDA by using a journal or notepad. You may adjust the dose as needed to achieve the desired effects.
Potential side effects of CBDA
While CBDA and CBD is generally considered safe and well-tolerated for most folks out there, some potential side effects may still occur. These side effects are typically mild and easy to handle at home.- Fatigue: Some people may experience drowsiness. Other individual may even feel tiredness or fatigue after using CBDA or CBD. If this occurs, try considering adjusting the dose you are taking. You can also try consuming CBDA or CBD in the evening to minimize the impact on daily activities.
- Dry mouth: CBDA and CBD may cause a dry mouth sensation in some people. You can easily alleviate this side effect by drinking water or other hydrating fluids.
- Changes in appetite: CBDA and CBD may affect your appetite. It may potentially cause either an increase or decrease in food intake. So, monitor your eating habits while using CBDA and CBD and adjust your diet as necessary.
- Potential drug interactions: CBDA and CBD may interact with some medications for certain health problems, such as blood thinners and certain anti-seizure drugs. Consult with a healthcare professional before using if you are taking any drugs.
Conclusion
So there you have it! We've talked so much about relaxation methods you can practice as well as including CBDA in your daily routine. The potential of CBDA to help with stress and anxiety are promising. But remember, everyone's experience with the compound is different. It's crucial to be patient and open-minded with your own stress and anxiety management journey.And, of course, don't forget to chat with a healthcare professional before you jump right in. It might take some time to see the benefits, but trust me, the wait will be so much worth it.
Battling stress and anxiety can be a little tougher at times, but with CBDA as a potent ally together with natural and healthy ways to combat stress and anxiety, we're one step closer to a more peaceful and balanced life.