When was the last time you were able to relax and not think about the future, but simply live in the present moment and trust that everything will be okay? Many of us are dealing with stress or anxiety, and it has become such a natural part of our way of being that we forget that it’s not necessarily normal, or healthy. Today, more Americans than ever before report feeling extremely stressed or anxious, and it’s easy to understand why. We live in a high-pressure society with loads of financial burdens, and we have to work long hours to make ends meet. Current events though, are fed to us at a faster pace than ever, which can make us worry about our safety in this modern-day world.
But anxiety and stress need to be treated. Both conditions can lead to a wide range of both physical and psychological ailments if they’re not managed properly. Besides that, stress and anxiety rob us of our overall quality of life by preventing us from experiencing true peace and happiness.
There are many different methods for managing stress and anxiety, and some are more effective than others. One of those is the holistic approach, specifically CBD.
CBD comes from the hemp plant, which is a member of the cannabis genus. The difference between hemp and marijuana is that while the latter produces psychoactive effects, the former does not. This means that CBD is legal, and it won’t get you high. More people are finding peace of mind after incorporating it into their daily routine.
What is Stress?
Stress and anxiety are often used interchangeably, but they are in fact different. Stress is a condition that’s determined by circumstance. If a person is experiencing difficult circumstances, they will feel stressed, but it’s almost always temporary, as once the circumstance changes, the stress levels decrease. That doesn’t mean that stress can’t be serious, however. Stress causes the release of cortisol into the bloodstream, which directly or indirectly interferes with every bodily process from immune function to digestion. Stress can leave a person feeling fatigued and burnt out, especially if the stress is severe, or if it’s chronic, meaning that the stress levels remain high for a long period of time. It’s taxing on the adrenals and can cause hormonal changes while also potentially interfering with sleep.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a clinical psychological condition in which a person feels anxious even when there is no actual threat. A person who has an anxiety disorder will have anxiety triggers, which are circumstances that trigger an exaggerated stress response, even if the circumstance is not threatening in any way. An example would be a person who has social anxiety. They will experience psychological and physical symptoms when around groups of people they don’t know, even though those people are not going to harm them.
There are many different types of anxiety conditions. General anxiety disorder is a condition in which a person exhibits anxiety symptoms on a consistent basis regardless of stressful events that may or may not be occurring. PTSD-related stress disorder is caused by a traumatic event and can cause the person to experience severe anxiety related to the event that’s embedded in their subconscious.
Long Term Effects of Stress and Anxiety
Both stress and anxiety can lead to long-term effects if left untreated. Both conditions involve an inappropriately high stress response and a low tolerance to stress, which means that both involve a high amount of cortisol release into the body. This can lead to a wide range of conditions as high levels of cortisol can disrupt important bodily functions and processes. Examples of potential long-term effects are a compromised immune system, severe hormonal imbalances, problems with blood sugar, thyroid conditions, cognitive issues and chronic fatigue. These conditions can also lead to widespread pain throughout the body due to an inappropriate inflammatory response, and can contribute to conditions like diabetes, heart attack and stroke.
How Stress and Anxiety are Diagnosed
Stress and anxiety are best diagnosed by a mental health professional, who will ask questions about your personal history and your current life that can inform them on whether you have an anxiety condition or are dealing with chronic stress.
How Stress and Anxiety are Treated
Stress and anxiety can be treated in a number of ways depending on the severity of the issue and the symptoms.
Treatment #1: Therapy
Many people who suffer from stress and anxiety find that seeing a therapist on a weekly basis helps them find relief. There are many different types of therapy out there, including CBT, ACT and psychoanalysis.
Treatment #2: Drugs
In severe cases, drugs may be prescribed, such as benzodiazepines and SSRI drugs.
Treatment #3: Inpatient Programs
If stress or anxiety levels are high enough, a person may experience a psychological breakdown and require temporary hospitalization in a mental health facility.
Treatment #4: Lifestyle Changes
Some lifestyle changes may help reduce instances of stress and anxiety, such as a change from a stressful job, or a new meditation or yoga practice which can help a person find relaxation.
Treatment #5: Internal Changes
There are some factors that can contribute to stress and anxiety, including certain nutritional deficiencies and hormonal imbalances, which may be treated with supplements and drugs.
CBD for Stress and Anxiety: Is There a Connection?
So, can CBD help a person manage anxiety or stress? Well, we now have access to many studies that say that it can. Findings have shown that CBD may have an influence on those who struggle with general anxiety, PTSD, stress-induced insomnia, social anxiety and more. This seems to have to do with the way in which CBD can potentially regulate cortisol secretion while promoting a calmer state of mind.
Using CBD for Stress or Anxiety: What to Know
Now, let’s talk about how to use CBD specifically for stress and anxiety. First, it’s important that you seek out high-quality CBD from a company that’s trusted. We recommend taking CBD daily in the same dosage amount each day for the best results. Select a milligram strength that represents the severity of your condition.
While Stress and Anxiety Can Both Be Debilitating, You Don’t Need to Suffer
There are many ways to manage these conditions, and studies are suggesting that CBD very well may be one of them. Use this guide to start a hemp routine specifically catered to this need and discover the CBD products available from Kigh CBD.