Stress is a common human experience. Deadlines at work, money problems, illness, or a fight with your partner/friend/family member can all cause stress. And, without a doubt, 2020 in particular was a stressful year due to the pandemic and the worries that continue to come along with it. When you’re experiencing stress, it can be difficult to find time or effective ways to relax. But luckily, there are plenty of healthy ways to manage stress in your life, including adding CBD to your daily routine. Read on to learn more about using CBD for managing stress.
How Stress Affects Our Wellbeing
Stress is a feeling of mental, emotional, or physical tension that can come from both internal and external sources. In essence, stress is how your body reacts to a threat or a challenge, either real or perceived. Sometimes, this stress is short-term, which also called acute. In some circumstances, acute stress can actually be a positive thing. It can help motivate you to push through a deadline at work, solve a personal problem, or help you react quickly in certain situations (i.e. slamming on the brakes to avoid a car accident).
Problems begin to arise, though, when you experience long-term stress. Ongoing or chronic stress happens when your body stays on high alert, even when there’s no danger. Because of this, you may end up feeling on edge, fatigued, or burned out. Chronic stress may last weeks or months and can lead to more serious complications over time.
When we experience stress, our bodies create both adrenaline and cortisol, which is known as the stress hormone. Consistently high levels of cortisol can put a strain on our cardiovascular health, which in turn can cause conditions like high blood pressure and heart disease. And over time, stress can deplete our immune system, making us more prone to illness.
Have you ever had a headache when you were under a lot of pressure? Stress can lead to chronic migraines or tension headaches, along with aches and pains in tense shoulder, back, or neck muscles. We may notice that when we’re stressed, we have stomach issues that make it difficult to eat. Or we may find that we gorge on unhealthy foods to cope with negative feelings.
Stress can be harmful for our mental health, too. When we’re under a lot of stress, many find that they feel irritable, anxious, or depressed, or that it’s difficult to enjoy the things they once did. Many people turn to prescription medications to find relief from anxiety or to help them fall asleep. Some of these medicines can have unwanted side effects, which leaves people wondering if there’s a better way to deal with stress.
How CBD May Help Manage Stress
Every human and even some animals (like your canine companion) have an endocannabinoid system (ECS). Named for the plant that led to its discovery, this regulatory system plays an important role in maintaining balance in our bodies, including our brain, endocrine and immune systems.
Cannabinoids (CBD) is one of many substances found in the hemp plant. When we consume CBD, the cannabinoids bind to receptors in our ECS and appear to have an effect on systems and functions throughout our bodies like our mood, appetite, pain receptors, and sleep cycle.
Studies show that CBD can help us relax and calm us down during periods of stress or anxiety. Some doctors believe that CBD shows promise as an anti-anxiety medication. CBD is made from an all-natural source and does not have harmful side effects. CBD is non-intoxicating, meaning you can take day or night without worrying that it will affect your ability to function.
While CBD products are now legal on a federal level, they must contain less than 0.3% THC. In addition, there are many CBD products on the market – including ours – that are free from THC, which are great for people worried about passing drug tests or for those who simply don’t want a product with intoxicating THC.
While everyone experiences stress from time to time, chronic, ongoing stress can have serious effects on your mental and physical wellbeing. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to counteract stress. Eat a well-balanced diet, get moving and ideally some fresh air, pet your dog if you have one and explore the benefits of taking CBD for stress.
Which CBD Products Help Manage Stress?
If you’re looking to try CBD for stress, there are a few products that are easy to work into your daily routine. Begin by asking yourself these questions:
- Do I experience stress daily or is it from time to time?
- When do I experience stress? (In the morning, afternoon, or night)
- On a scale of 1-5 (with 1 being low and 5 being high), how do I rate my stress level?
To combat stress daily, start with Allvane Wellness CBD Oil. Taken daily, it supports your overall health and well-being by helping to even out your mood and calm your mind.
To combat stress from time to time or to experience a greater sense of calm, pick up our organic and vegan Allvane CBD Gummies.
To combat stress at night, try Allvane Unwind Formula, which helps calm the mind to support a restful night’s sleep. (If you rated yourself a 1-3, start with the 500mg dosage. If you rated yourself a 4 or 5, start with the 1500mg.)
Always start with a lower dose and slowly work your way up until you start noticing CBD’s relaxing effects. With all of our CBD oil and gummies, it’s easy to know exactly how much CBD you’re taking so you can find and stick with a consistent dose that helps you relax.