After a year-plus of being stuck in quarantine and working from home, many Americans are finally returning to the office. And while it’s nice to be able to see our co-workers’ faces again (at least the parts that show over the top of the mask), going back to the physical workspace can bring with it a boatload of stress.
There are several ways to combat this tension. Yoga, meditation, positive thinking, exercise, and a good night’s rest are all useful tools in the fight against stress. Many people are also turning to CBD for help.
Today, we’re going to look at five strategies to keep the workday “chill.” But first, a quick lesson on CBD.
What Is CBD?
CBD (or cannabidiol) is the second-most plentiful cannabinoid molecule in the hemp plant. A cannabinoid is a kind of chemical compound found in cannabis and also produced by the body.
CBD should not be confused with THC, the more notorious of the cannabinoids. THC is the psychoactive chemical that induces a “high.” CBD doesn’t have this effect.
Instead, CBD has the ability to bind with receptors and encourage our body to produce its own cannabinoids in our Endocannabinoid System, which is closely integrated with our central nervous system.
Because of the many benefits of this process, CBD has become one of the most popular wellness products available today.
With that in mind, let’s look at those stress-busting strategies!
1. Greet the Day
Recent studies show that 66% of Americans polled are concerned about their health and safety when it comes to returning to the workplace. With the pandemic still posing a threat, who can blame them?
Obviously, step one in addressing this kind of stress is to observe all CDC safety recommendations. If a person feels like they’re doing everything they can to protect themselves, then at least some peace of mind should follow.
But what can one do when there’s still a low hum of dread hanging in the back of the mind? Step one is to dial in that morning regime. A healthy breakfast is a great way to start the day. It gives our bodies essential nutrients, as well as energy. When our bodies feel good and energized, we have a more positive outlook on life.
Modern diets, though, often lack all of the vitamins and minerals our bodies require. To fill in the nutritional gaps that our on-the-go meals just can’t reach, a multivitamin is an effective supplement.
Many people, looking for additional calming benefits to go with their vital nutrients, reach for multivitamins with CBD. There are also CBD supplements specially formulated for morning usage. People trust these morning capsules for a non-drowsy, even-keel feeling throughout the day, plus additional ingredients for energy and focus.
With a healthy breakfast and the right supplement, the body and mind can approach the day with a calm, positive resolve.
2. Secret Stash
Pressure can strike at any time in the workday, whether it’s from a leftfield project that suddenly has to get done or a stressful meeting that pops up from out of nowhere on the calendar. These are the stressors that make us want to pull our hair out at times.
For many people, keeping a microserving of CBD in the desk or bag is the perfect defense against these daily demons. As previously noted, CBD is often used to battle stress. Many folks reach for a low-CBD gummy or capsule as a discrete way to take the edge off, allowing them to put their best foot forward in any scenario.
3. Work It Out
We can all picture that boss from Office Space, leaning over the cubicle wall and telling the poor guy — in the most grating, condescending voice — that he has to work over the weekend. People relate to that scene because there are soul-suckers just like that in nearly every workplace. These are the folks who keep boxing classes at the gym so packed.
Even if you don’t necessarily feel the need to go punch something after work, it’s still healthy to work off some of that stress. Activities like running, lifting, swimming, and biking relieve the pressure people carry with them throughout the day. When we work through our aggressions and our tension, we’re able to meet the rest of our day (and night!) with a healthier attitude.
Exercise also makes the body healthier and more energized, which in turn leads to a healthier, happier attitude.
Of course, at the end of those workouts, muscles and joints require their own special attention. Many athletes believe CBD can help them recover faster. They reach for topicals, like CBD creams and balms, for soothing TLC on those screaming tissues. And the quicker the recovery, the easier it is to get back into the swing of things the next day.
4. Decompress
Sometimes, we can make it through the whole workday unscathed, only to meet with a white-knuckle commute home. Taking that tension home can not only ruin the evening, but also that all-important night’s rest. In these cases, decompression is vital.
Decompression is an important piece of the mental health puzzle. There are several ways to downshift at the end of a stressful day, including deep breathing, self-massage, getting outdoors, and other strategies.
Of course, spas were built on the principle of decompression. And many spa favorites can be done right in the home, including a long soak in the tub, soothing face masks, and even foot masks for those aching tootsies. Many seek these little pleasures with CBD infusions for an extra helping of relaxation. CBD bath bombs and masks (for head and foot!) are all the rage these days.
Spa-style decompression can transform any evening from stressful to blissful, which leads us to …
5. The Power of Shuteye
For all the weapons we can throw against stress during the day, perhaps the most important is a good night’s sleep. Tension from the office can keep even the chillest among us up into the wee hours. And over the course of time, that can be disastrous for one’s health.
The CDC recommends that adults get at least seven hours of sleep every night. Lack of sleep can lead to high blood pressure, weight gain, irritability, a weakened immune system, and other maladies.
So, it’s important to have a solid sleep strategy. Keeping consistent sleep hours is a great start. Also, avoiding TVs, cellphones and computers near bedtime is a big help in letting the mind wind down. There are other ways to relax the mind and body before bed, as well, such as a warm bath, quiet reading time, and meditation.
One other component many people use is CBD for sleep support. They find that CBD naturally calms the mind and helps them relax. A popular combination is CBD with the cannabinoid CBN (cannabinol), which is believed to help the body not only achieve sleep faster, but also make that sleep deeper and more restful.
In Conclusion
We’re all happy to see workplaces finally begin to open back up. But heading back to the office can bring with it anxiety and stress. There are a lot of things we can do to deal with these issues in a healthy, productive way. A healthy diet, exercise, decompression, and a good night’s sleep certainly can help us maintain our “chill.” And given its many uses, it’s easy to see why many people are turning to CBD, as well.