As the start of summer approaches, everyone has different things going on in their lives; some are graduating and off to a fresh start or are anticipating major life changes. On the other hand, some just want to de-stress and relax after all the hard work and enjoy their summer holidays. Many of us might be carrying overburdening stress on our shoulders without knowing how to let it go. It might seem tempting to resort to prescription medication to help with stress and anxiety but there are always healthier alternatives. Read on for some insightful ways you can help yourself relax this summer!
Why is mental health important?
Practicing ways to improve your mental health and give yourself time to relax is essential. The state of our mental health affects everything about us. How we think, feel, act and interact with others all depend on our psychological and emotional well-being. It also affects physical health and productivity. When an individual has been working consistently throughout the year, it is almost impossible to avoid some sort of stress. While feeling stressed is normal and not necessarily a bad thing, not knowing how to get rid of the stress is problematic. It can cause one to lose motivation and can also affect one’s relationships. De-stressing is essential for us to remain productive and lead a happy, balanced life.
Ways to deal with stress and anxiety
Evaluate your current coping strategies
Before you decide to take the step to improve your mental health, it is important to look back and determine whether your current stress coping strategies are helpful or not. Many people turn to alcohol and other drugs as a “quick” way to de-stress. However, such strategies do not help in the long run. You may want to try out different activities daily and figure out what works best to help you relax. Any activity that makes you feel good and does not have negative side effects can be classified as an effective coping strategy. This includes discovering a new hobby. One could start incorporating a few minutes of yoga or meditation to their daily routine. For some, finding new self-care routines such as skin-care activities or relaxing in a hot tub can be the way to go. Painting or other ways to express your artistic side can also be very therapeutic since it gives your mind a break from other things. Another simple way to consider is practicing positive self-talk. Saying positive affirmations to yourself for even two minutes during the day can be a huge mood booster.
Maintaining a regular sleep schedule
Believe it or not, sleep has a huge influence on mental health and well-being. We know staying up late during the holidays is fun and exciting. However, being sleep deprived can cause serious problems and certainly does not help to get rid of stress and anxiety. Having a regular sleep schedule helps with maintaining energy throughout the day and keeps you motivated. It also helps improve cognitive function. Keeping a healthy sleep schedule during the holidays will help you de-stress and prepare you to jump right back into work as soon as the holidays end.
Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet
A healthy and balanced diet is essential for our mental well-being. There are certain foods that support our immune system and provide us with the energy we need to combat stress. Omega-3 fats and vegetables are especially helpful for this. We should ensure our diet comprises other important nutrients as well. Everyone has different bodily needs and if you think you may have some sort of deficiency, it is recommended to consult a nutritionist. One issue that should be focused on is the tendency to ‘stress-eat’. Stress can cause us to crave many foods that are high in sugar and unhealthy fats. It is important to be mindful when eating. Ask yourself if you are actually hungry or just stressed out. Try to snack on items that are nutritious. A healthy diet can do wonders for your mood and overall health. Also, it is important to remember that mindfulness can be practiced in all areas of life, not just eating!
Incorporate physical activities in your daily life
Regular physical activity helps to improve brain function, heart health and other bodily functions as well. Keeping yourself active helps to maintain energy levels. It also aids in distracting yourself from other things that might be causing stress. This decreases the risk of anxiety and helps you sleep better. Physical activity does not have to be intense workouts. It depends on the individual, some need more physical activity whereas others require much less. If you have a favorite sport, playing it on a regular basis can greatly improve well-being. You can also start light by going on 30 minute walks and just enjoying the great outdoors. Daily breathing exercises are a proven way to de-stress. In fact, many famous athletes practice this right before their tournaments to lower stress and anxiety levels and perform better.
Spending time with loved ones
Spending time with those you love such as family and friends helps with mental well-being. A day of quality time with your family member, friend or even pet can help to produce serotonin, the happiness hormone, and get rid of stress.
Considering Holistic wellness and CBD
The tips given above can help you de-stress and relax. However, if you are looking for something that will compliment the given suggestions, using organic CBD products with therapeutic essential oils is the way to go. Research has shown that CBD can help to de-stress and relax. It can also act as an anxiolytic. A study consisting of 72 adults showed that anxiety scores decreased by 79.2% after administration of CBD. Along with CBD, adding Delta-8 THC has shown to work for anxiety even better. According to The National Cancer Institute, Delta-8 has anxiolytic properties and could be an effective treatment for anxiety and stress. If you are looking to improve your sleep using CBD wellness, consider using CBD oils that contain CBN. CBN elicits the relaxed and drowsy state associated with THC but without the psychoactive effects. When combined with full spectrum CBD, this cannabinoid allows for deep restful REM sleep. At Hempeutics Pharmacy, we specialize in these compounds and can make the perfect formula for you.
Asking for help
Sometimes the stress can be so overwhelming, it feels impossible to manage. Remember that help is always available. If you feel your situation requires professional help, do not hesitate to speak with a mental health professional. In other cases, talking to a friend or family member can help too!
For immediate mental health help:
National Suicide Prevention Helpline: Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255); En español 1-888-628-9454
Lifeline Chat: The Lifeline is a free, confidential service available to everyone 24/7. The Lifeline provides crisis counseling and mental health referrals.
Crisis Text Line: Text “HELLO” to 741741. The Crisis Text hotline is available 24/7. The Crisis Text Line connects to a counselor who can provide support and information.
Veterans Crisis Line: Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and press 1 or text to 838255. A free, confidential resource that connects veterans 24/7 with a trained responder. The service is available to all veterans, even if they are not registered with the VA or enrolled in VA healthcare.
At Hempeutics Pharmacy, we specialize in custom compounding CBD products to cater to our patient’s individual needs. Contact us for a free consultation from our in-house licensed pharmacist, Dr. Peggy, to discuss what options are best for you.
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/stress-and-health/
https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6326553/
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