Ever since humans stood upright on two legs, we’ve had something to be stressed about. Every few years, a new trend emerges that claims to eliminate stress from your life for good — but of course, it’s never that easy. People are especially stressed out nowadays, and we’re all just looking for a little relief.
As a holistic and wellness-oriented cannabis dispensary in Massachusetts, we know a lot about cannabis for anxiety. Plenty of cannabis consumers use our products to help them calm down, decompress, and get a good night’s sleep. But cannabis should always be just one part of your sleep routine, not the entire thing — there are more letters in the alphabet than just THC!
This Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s take a look at some natural and sustainable ways to relieve anxiety.
Rev’s advice for chilling out naturally
Anxiety and restlessness go hand-in-hand. Countless adults find their anxiety prevents them from relaxing, and even gets in the way of falling and staying asleep. Thankfully, there are plenty of places to look for relief.
1. Spend less time on social media.
Don’t get us wrong, social media can be a great way to stay in touch with friends and family. But too much social media can be harmful for our mental health — and experts are just beginning to understand the true psychological effects of this. When you’re chronically online, lots of negative consequences start to pop up, including (but not limited to) feelings of inadequacy, FOMO, and depression.
If you’re finding social media is a source of stress, maybe it’s time to cut back. You can take a quick detox by deleting a social media app from your phone, and even do so without deleting your account. It’s also helpful to set a time limit for the amount of time you spend on social media, and your phone in general. You can also mute or block the accounts of people who particularly stress you out for a more peaceful timeline.
2. Take a break from the news.
The news plays an important role in our lives and helps us stay informed, connected, and active in our civic duties. But, let’s face it: the news can also be a significant source of anxiety. There are always plenty of catastrophes, and every news outlet aims to attract the most viewers with its headlines. As a result, sensational and terrible stories always seem to make the front page.
Staying informed doesn’t mean you need to get sucked into a doom spiral! Unfollow or unsubscribe from any news sources who post alarming content, even certain friends or family members. You can also delete news apps, set timers on your news consumption, or find brand-new news sources.
3. Exercise!
Exercise is a tried and true way to reduce stress, release endorphins and dopamine, and build a healthier lifestyle. When you sweat it out with a regular exercise routine, it’s hard to understate how good it feels to push your body into shape. Plus, exercise makes us feel better mentally — it is shown to improve our serotonin levels and help us sleep better.
Your exercise routine doesn’t need to be hardcore to help with anxiety. Bringing exercise into your life at a small scale and comfortable pace can help you avoid getting overwhelmed and giving up on your routine. For cannabis consumers, you can even bring cannabis into your exercise routine as a post-workout anti-inflammatory or before high-endurance workouts.
4. Revamp your schedule.
Having a repetitive schedule is a commonly-overlooked source of stress. If you’re doing the same thing every day with little variety, you can quickly feel like you’re in a rut. Revamping your schedule can help you feel more productive and stimulated by your daily life.
Time management is a major part of any good schedule. According to some studies, efficient scheduling can greatly impact your mental health. Making a new schedule, combined with good time management, is a terrific way to avoid burnout and boost your wellness.
5. Make time for the things you love.
We’re all busy people, and it’s not always easy to find time for our favorite pastimes. As soon as we get off work, it’s tempting to veg out with a snack in front of the TV. While there’s certainly room in our lives for vegetating, hobbies are a great way to meaningfully spend your free time. When you’re making your weekly schedule, make sure to plan some time for hobbies you enjoy. Find something that could spark your creativity, get you out of the house, or create a sense of personal pride.
If you’re looking to make your hobbies even more therapeutic, cannabis might be a helpful addition. We’re not saying cannabis should be your only hobby, but it can make plenty of activities more enjoyable!
6. Take it one day at a time.
Life is short — don’t forget to take care of yourself! Being compassionate and understanding towards yourself and others goes a long way in creating a sense of inner peace. When you’re constantly moving a mile a minute, it’s hard not to get overwhelmed.
Inevitably, life throws us curveballs. Even though there are plenty of ways to relieve anxiety, stress is simply a fact of life. Now more than ever, we need to stay grounded and mindful of the present. We can’t predict the future, and we can’t control the past. Sometimes all we can do is be kind to ourselves and our fellow human beings.
Cannabis for anxiety, sleep, and more
Rev is more than just a dispensary — we’re a community of cannabis advocates, here to work together for our common wellness. When you’re looking to add cannabis to your daily routine, you can order online for pickup or delivery at any of our Massachusetts dispensary locations. Rev also offers free virtual consultations to discuss how to bring cannabis into your holistic wellness practices!
