Cannabis is your total Self-Care Package
Self-care is defined as any act that contributes positively to our mental and physical health. In the same way that a relaxing bath or deep meditation can better your life, so too can cannabis impact you in ways you scarcely imagined.
Over the years, cannabis has taken a major hit for being advertised as a gateway drug. Or slandered for its stoner-like effects on the youth of the world, making them lazy and unproductive. While there is minimal truth behind some of these claims, the majority of it is scandalized media reporting.
Research has, again and again, refuted these claims. Through medical and scientific research we have learned that cannabis is, in fact, a healing plant that has countless health benefits. And not the demonized monster we have come to fear.
How can Cannabis be used for self-care?
Health benefits
Let’s start with the obvious. Healthy eating and looking after your bodily health is one of the most effective forms of self-care one can practice.
Hemp is a non-psychoactive form of cannabis that has insurmountable health benefits, being high in protein, fibre, vitamins and amino acids. It is also high in CBD making it good for treating an array of health and bodily issues. For a more comprehensive look at hemp and its benefits, read ‘Hemp and its benefits that will change your life’.
Relaxation
Stress is a major contributor to depression and anxiety in the 21st century, causing health and sleep issues in 3 out of 5 people. In today’s fast-paced world, where peaceful moments lie few and far between, relaxation is often a form of self-care that is sacrificed.
Cannabis is well-known for its relaxing effects on both the mind and the body. It is an excellent tool for slowing the commotion in one’s life and allowing the user to take a moment and breathe. Whether you smoke it, ingest it or add it to your bath, cannabis can ease your stresses and calm your psyche.
Meditation
Spiritual well-being is another important factor that many of us overlook. As much as our mind and bodies need rest, relaxation and alignment, so too does our spiritual self. Mediation is an excellent form of spiritual self-care that can be aided by cannabis.
Many people find it hard to quiet the mind for long enough to truly gain the benefits of meditation. Cannabis can help by slowing the thought process and easing any stresses in the body. Cannabis can also hyper-focus the mind, allowing it to be completely enveloped by the meditation, making it an effective tool for deep meditation or beginners trying to get into the rhythm of it.
Treats physical ailments
Cancer, arthritis, chronic pain, PMS… you name it and cannabis can probably treat it. Many physical maladies cause inflammation and pain which are often getting in the way of normal bodily functions, limiting physical activity and hindering one’s ability to live life.
The anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties of CBD make it an effective treatment method for all sorts of ailments. You can use CBD oils or indicas to relieve the effects of physical ailments.
For a list of ailments that cannabis can help with, read ‘8 Everyday Uses for Cannabis that will Surprise You’.
Stable mental health
Whether you suffer from depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder or even insomnia, cannabis can be added to your life to help ease your symptoms and make your condition more manageable. Low THC strains are recommended for those with mental disorders as it lessens the paranoia that accompanies these issues. Hybrids with high CBD and CBN are most effective in dealing with mental problems.
Increases creativity
Creative outlets are ways for the soul to interact with the physical world. The ability to create is a skill we all possess but gets sidetracked by other more ‘important’ tasks. And when we do eventually sit down with a paintbrush in hand, we end up staring at a blank canvas for hours, unsure of what to do.
Cannabis can help stimulate the creativity inside you that has been forgotten. Sativas are great for heightening focus and increasing productivity. It will get the creative juices flowing again.
No-hangover party enhancer
Many people turn to alcohol as an easy party enhancer however alcohol often has detrimental effects on the body, such as liver failure, hangovers and vomiting. Cannabis has no such effects. As a party enhancer, hybrid and sativa forms of cannabis equally lower inhibitions and increases dopamine (happiness hormone). It is also a safer social catalyst than alcohol. If only for the sake of your liver and bodily self-care, switch to cannabis instead of alcohol and watch your parties become infinitely more enjoyable and your regrets fewer.
How to incorporate Cannabis into your life
Conscious cannabis use is the most important way to incorporates cannabis in your lives. The best way is to form a ritualistic routine in which you give yourself a few minutes every day to practice self-care. Incorporate cannabis into this routine.
Before bed
If you suffer from long term or persistent ailments, like insomnia or stress, then more regular usage may be required to ease your symptoms. In this regard, CBD teas or oils taken daily before bed may help to ease symptoms.
Set aside a half an hour to read with your favourite cup of CBD tea (the AMP Magic Teas are launching soon!). Or spend a few minutes massaging your painful areas with CBD enriched creams. Or perhaps sit outside in nature and smoke a joint, watching the sunset.
With breakfast
Add some hemp to your morning smoothie or fruit bowl. Get the added health befits of cannabis to kick start your day with.
Wake and Bake
Additionally, if you suffer from stress or reduced productivity during the day, a wake and bake scenario may suit you better. Many people use the mornings after smoking to practice some yoga or deep meditation to give their day a peaceful and serene start.
Grooming
Incorporate some oils into your weekly bubble bath for a super relaxing experience. Or add some CBD and hemp creams to your beauty regime to treat yourself with quality and healing products.
Cannabis is a versatile plant that can be as effective as meditation or a spa day. Its healing and relaxation properties are unparalleled. So experiment and find what suits you and your lifestyle the best. Finding new and interesting ways to incorporate cannabis into your self-care routine is exciting and rewarding.
The only thing to remember is to make sure you use cannabis with intent. Otherwise, the effects can be wasted and you won’t feel any different. Use cannabis to supplement your existing self-care routine. Or create a new one centred around cannabis. The choice is yours.
Wishing you all the best with your self-care. Remember to love and care for yourself in the same way you would another person. Because you are important too and you should put yourself and your well-being before anything else.
May all your days be high ones!
Evarínya
