When lazy summer days come to an end, work kicks into high gear, and school is back in session, September stress starts to settle in. Many adults experience an increase in stress and anxiety coming out of summer. As you and fellow co-workers return from vacations, the volume and speed of work picks back up and this transition can trigger cortisol levels to rise. For all the parents out there you’ll be all too familiar with the back-to-school blues. Children can experience the same feelings of stress and anxiety as they not only transition back into a structured school environment, but also know the material becomes more difficult as their education advances. Fear not! With a little preparation and some CBD products on hand, Cape Ann Botanicals can help you and your family sail smoothly into Fall.
Getting a Game Plan
One of the most effective methods to cope with September stress, although arguably not too exciting, is to plan ahead. Knowing how hard it is to think when you’re in the thick of anxiety, developing a structured routine early in the season can help keep your head on straight!
Here are a few healthy habits recommended to aid in the coming transition:
Checklists are your best friend- Whether it’s a workout, doctor’s appointment, grocery list, or social event, making a checklist is one of the best ways to stay organized during this busy season. When you create a visual list of all your daily activities things seem much more manageable and often this simple technique is enough to greatly reduce stress.
Daily dose of movement- Exercise is probably the closest thing we have to a cure-all. Our bodies are made to move and when we have too much of a sedentary lifestyle stress and anxiety, along with many other things, start to creep in. If you’re pressed for time, even just a quick 10-15 minute stretch or light workout in the mornings can go a long way. The key here is to have the routine become regular rather than high intensity.
Practice mindfulness- Today there are seemingly endless ways to tap into mindfulness and meditation. Whether that be attending a class, downloading an app, or just sitting quietly in nature, the practice has become more accessible than ever! Similar to the recommendations for exercise, it’s more important to practice mindfulness consistently for 10-15 minutes than it is to aim for a long session once a week. It’s extremely common for this practice to be challenging but by doing it daily on a regular basis, it will become easier and something you look forward to.
Vitamin D- The dwindling long summer days means a decrease in sunlight. While you might be relieved to put the sunscreen away, your body needs that light to create vitamin D. According to the National Institutes of Health, lower levels of vitamin D are associated with increased symptoms of anxiety and depression. This is an easy fix though and by simply adding vitamin D rich foods such as fish or by taking a daily supplement you can get your levels back to normal.
Regular and Healthy Sleep- Sleep and stress are kind of a chicken and the egg situation. Not sleeping enough often causes stress while chronic anxiety prevents us from catching Z’s. To break the vicious cycle try adding CBD or other minor cannabinoids such as CBG or CBN at night to help your mind and body drift into dreamland.
CBD to the Rescue
There are growing amount of clinical evidence that supports CBD’s ability to constrain the body’s stress response. At least 7 double-blind placebo trials have concluded CBD safely and effectively reduced stress associated with anxiety, fear, depression, and burnout. It does so by interacting with several receptors including the cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1) and the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor. Dosing varies depending on the individual so we recommend starting low and slow. By gradually titrating up the amount of milligrams, you can find that calm and relaxed sweet spot.
For best results we recommend twice a day dosing to help manage stress and anxiety for a full 24 hours. It is important to have consistent daily doing as CBD has a cumulative effect as it continues to interact with the endocannabinoid system. While a high-quality CBD formula can be effective on its own, adding terpenes and natural botanicals such as lemon, lavender, and caryophyllene can boost a product’s stress reducing properties. By supplementing CBD with other naturally calming ingredients you may find relief with lower doses.
Putting It All Together
In the modern era it has become expected that there will be an all-in-one fix for whatever problems we may have. Unfortunately, anxiety and stress are complex issues that need a multi-facilitated approach.
Setting up a daily routine that includes exercise, healthy meals, meditation, and regular doses of CBD is a great way to stay ahead of the game and stop stress in its tracks. It’s very likely that you’re not the only one struggling during this time and there’s always power in numbers so reach out to a friend or family member to help hold each other accountable when the going gets tough. If you have any questions regarding which products may better suit your individual needs, we welcome you to come and talk with our registered nurse on staff or speak with any of our trained staff members.
HELPING HANDS SUGGESTS:
Products to Reduce Stress
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