10 ways to reduce stress in your daily life

 A daily dose of stress can wear you down. Stress can affect your sleep, your digestion, even your immune system. Fortunately, there are a lot of things you can do to be more resilient against stress. For starters, take a few deep breaths. Mindfulness techniques like meditation and exercising regularly can really help. If you really want to go the distance, consider adopting a pet. Of course, adding CBD to your routine can help manage everyday stress. Just know, there’s a lot you can do to be kind and nurturing to yourself. 

The traditional stressors of life, family and work existed before Covid-19 took center stage. Being more mindful with self-care like yoga, mediation, exercise and diet are all good ways to support yourself anytime. CBD can also help you relax, feel rejuvenated and lift your mood so you can keep doing the things that bring joy and build resiliency during difficult times. 

We’re all in this together. Stress manifests itself in everyone differently. Some feel overwhelmed, moody, even angry. While for others, stress presents as muscle soreness, poor sleep and can even zap the immune system. 

Whether you’re wearing new hats as a teacher, caregiver, cook, mediator and coach or you’re living alone and finding new and creative ways to stay connected, we’d love to hear how you’re doing. Share your insights here. Here are our ten favorite ways to help you adapt to stress.

1. Exercise

Putting physical stress on your body through exercise can help reduce stress. In fact, people who exercise regularly are less likely to experience anxiety. Running, walking, dancing, yoga, weight-resistance training help reduce those stress hormones and release endorphins, which can improve your mood. 

• Exercise can improve your sleep quality, which is often adversely affected by stress. 
• Activities such as walking or running that involve repetitive movements of large muscles can be particularly stress relieving. 
• Our CBD balms like Soothing Mint can help relieve muscle soreness from working out. 
• Blend a CBD tincture into your morning smoothie to lift your mood to help you get moving.

2. Pets

Just having a furry friend near you, let alone petting it can lower blood pressure and ease loneliness. Pets add structure and routine to your day, improve cardiovascular health and help lower the stress-O-dometer. They fulfill the basic human need for touch and best of all they add real joy and unconditional love to our lives and remind us to live in the moment. A study in Scientific American shows that pets help us generate goals and feel more confident about achieving our goals while also relieving stress. Pets also experience stress. Our Calming CBD Oil tinctures help pets relax and even support joint health to keep our good buddies moving.   

3. Reduce caffeine, sugar and alcohol

Yeah, this is a tough one for anyone who loves their morning cup of wake-me-up. But caffeine is a stimulant found in coffee, tea, chocolate and many energy drinks. It can increase anxiety and make it more difficult to get a good night’s sleep. If you notice caffeine makes you jittery and anxious, try cutting back. It seems like alcohol would help alleviate stress. In fact, it can contribute to stress and depression and even impact sleep. CBD is often preferred to alcohol to relax and help lift the mood.

4. Eat more veggies

Naturally, being mindful of what you put into your body makes sense. But sometimes we want pure comfort and if that looks more like a cheeseburger than a kale salad, don’t beat yourself up over it. Just keep in mind that including more healthful foods to your diet supports your immune system and creates a general sense of well-being. Consider adding one of our CBD tinctures to juice or a smoothie to help improve your mood and feel rejuvenated so you can take on the day. 

5. Surround yourself with essential oils

Burning a scented candle can feel like a mini-vacation to a beautiful beach or a day at the spa. Some scents that are particularly soothing include: Lavender, Rose, Vetiver, Bergamot, Roman chamomile, Neroli, Frankincense, Sandalwood, orange or orange blossom. In fact, we select some of the same scents like lavender and rose for our CBD balms and lotions for the same reason. 

6. Wind down routine

As the British say, “what you need is a nice cup of tea.” Taking time to brew and sip a cup of tea has helped the British through world wars, financial crises and many a Royal scandal. It can help you address everyday stresses as well. The simple act of sipping a soothing cup of herbal tea is a relaxing ritual that can help you unwind and enjoy restful sleep. Try to stay away from screens for at least 45 minutes before bed. Our CBD Relaxation capsules with L-Tryptophan and Ashwagandha also nurture restful sleep.  

7. Write it down

Slowing down is the key. Writing with pen and paper is a time-honored and gentle way to reconnect with yourself. Best of all, it will help you step away from the all-powerful, all-stimulating screen. Smart phones, laptops, desktops—even the TV activates the mind. The act or art of handwritten journaling is an opportunity to step away and slow down, preferably to snail’s pace. While you’re at it, take some deep, cleansing breaths. Write about what makes you grateful. Send a letter to a friend or loved one. Share a funny or heartfelt memory. It won’t go unnoticed or unappreciated. Make a list of your favorite happiness touchstones, Keep It up on the wall near your desk to remind yourself of what matters.

8. Mindful meditation and yoga

Research shows that we are happier and more relaxed when fully engaged in the moment. But our brains are not entirely wired to sustain focused awareness. Most often, our minds are occupied by a powerful inner dialogue triggered by random thoughts and continual analysis that can intensify stress. In fact, 90% of our thoughts are not new or original thoughts. They’re repeated thoughts and worries that cause us to spin. Meditation, yoga and even forest bathing help diffuse troubling thoughts. CBD works in a similar way, helping you relax, unwind and unplug.  

9. Nature buff

Take a few minutes to notice the natural world around you. Flowers blooming, trees leafing out, the radiant colors of a sunset. Close your eyes and count the number of different bird calls. Work in your garden or tend a community garden. You may not have access to trails and parks, but you can always find little bits of nature to observe and appreciate up close. 

10. Be kind

Being kind and compassionate to one another during stressful times like these when emotions can run high is powerful stuff. It feels as good to send love out there as it does to receive it. We know a little bit about that. We’ve always been committed to making our CBD accessible to people who need it most by making it effective and affordable. It feels good to help others. 

CBD can help

CBD (cannabidiol) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid that is shown to have health and wellness potential. From tinctures to topicals to pet products, we offer a wide selection of CBD products that are made to work. In addition to all the self-care you’re doing, consider adding CBD to your routine to improve your sense of general well-being. It can help lift your mood and help you relax, relieve muscle tension after a workout, and help you sleep better so you awaken feeling refreshed and relaxed. Check out our CBD products here and share your love for Lazarus Naturals, too.