Self-care is not the same as self-indulgence or being selfish.
Instead, self-care entails looking after yourself, so you can be healthy and well enough to do your work or help care for others. It’s about taking steps to tend to your physical and emotional health needs to the best of your ability.
Self-care is also part of the answer to how we can better cope with day-to-day stress contributors.
This article explores what self-care can do for your long-term physical and mental health, as well as some tips on how to incorporate self-care into your wellness routine.
How Can Self-Care Reduce Anxiety and Stress?
Stress and anxiety affect almost everyone. The effects could be emotional (like feeling distressed) and even physical, including headaches, high blood pressure, insomnia.
When we’re physically and emotionally exhausted, we’re less equipped to handle the challenges that life throws at us. This is where self-care comes in.
When you take the time out of your day to listen to your body cues and care for yourself, you can handle anything.
So, let’s explore how self-care helps reduce anxiety and stress.
Self-Care Tips For Anxiety and Stress
The bad news is that stress and anxiety are inevitable in most adults. The good news is that they can be managed and minimized by following a few self-care tips.
- Try Exercising
We all know that exercising is an essential part of your physical health.
Not only does working out and being physically active keep your body in better shape, but it can also help you manage stress and anxiety.
How? Exercising can lower your body’s stress hormones, such as cortisol. When you become more active, your sleep quality also improves, contributing to your stress and anxiety.
And while at it, you might want to smoke some cannabis to make the exercise even more enjoyable. According to some health experts, a mixture of weed and workouts is beneficial as it encourages you to push yourself and helps muscle recovery after.
- Practice meditation and yoga
If you like meditating or practicing yoga, good news! Not only are they great for relaxation, but they can also benefit the three aspects of ourselves that are most often impacted by stress and anxiety: mind, breath, and body.
As you do yoga or meditate, one way you may promote greater mind-to-muscle connection is to use cannabis. Sativa strains like Peggy’s pride or tropic thunder are well known for their energizing and focus effects.
So, you might also want to consider using a strain that is low in THC and high in CBD, as THC at lower doses appears to reduce anxiety and stress.
- Consider using CBD and THC supplements.
Several people suffering from anxiety and stress found that cannabinoids – both with CBD and THC products – could help ease the symptoms.
Recent research found that cannabinol is a potential treatment for managing anxiety, including phobia-related disorders, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). If you’re uncomfortable with the idea of smoking or having edibles, they are a great alternative as they can come in the form of pills or tinctures.
- Find a Creative Outlet
One way to take a little time away from your busy schedule, or just from anything, is to find a creative outlet.
Instead of jumping from task to task, find joy in whatever you like doing – be that painting, writing novels, or redecorating your room.
You can also consider having a quick smoke to stimulate your creativity, as it’s widely known that cannabis and creativity go hand-in-hand together. Even great minds like Steve Jobs used cannabis to either spark their imagination or relieve stress.
- Get better sleep
Having a goodnight’s sleep is vital for your health and wellbeing. But, unfortunately, we often tend to neglect that suggestion as we press play on the next episode or stay out a little too late.
But it should come as no surprise that getting the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep may significantly decrease your stress levels and allow your body to recharge.
Are you a light sleeper or can’t seem to fall asleep no matter how much you try? CBD Oil or THC products may help you sleep better. Marijuana may help you restore your natural sleep cycles, so you feel more refreshed in the morning, ready to take on any challenge.
- Eat more greens
Poor diet does not only lead to unwanted weight gain or acne, it can also affect your mood. A diet full of processed foods can lead to nutrient deficiency that could increase your body’s stress levels.
So, eating more greens and taking the time to actively nurture your body through whole foods is a necessity in any self-care routine.
Like any other vegetable or fruit, cannabis is full of nutrients and antioxidants. Adding a little bit of raw flower to your healthy smoothies can be just what you need to feel more relaxed.
Vegetables that would make a delicious cannabis-infused smoothie
It’s essential to take a pause in our busy schedules and dedicate some time to anything that brings us joy and relaxes us. No matter what that is. You can work out, dance, sing, go out, take a nap or have some delicious cannabis-infused smoothie.
Remember, stress and anxiety are inevitable, but you can ease them by being more mindful about your self-care and allowing your mind and body to relax.
Just focus on keeping yourself physically and mentally healthy and always keep a positive attitude.
If you have any questions, please visit us at Leaf Lab, we’ll be happy to all and any of your questions.
