Spring is a season for rejuvenation. Flowers blossom as they break through the earth, birds return home to their nests, and schoolchildren everywhere bemoan the fact that they still have two more months until freedom. Days also get longer as the sun stays out to play, meaning there is more time in the day to take a break and focus on you.
Although the new warmth of spring is refreshing, anxiety and chronic pain always seem to be lurking somewhere in the distance. They can attack when we least expect it, resulting in a darker spring than you deserve.
Thankfully, anxiety can be avoided. Here are four Farmer & Chemist approved habits that will remind you to slow down, take a deep breath, and enjoy life this spring.
- Get outside
Often, I don’t feel like myself if I spend long stretches inside. With the pandemic raging and cabin fever striking with a vengeance, getting out and experiencing nature has become a necessity. There’s something about stepping away from my busy day-to-day life and taking some time to hike that recenters and reminds me about what is important in life.
A study published in BMC Public Health found that spending time outdoors greatly aids in reducing negative emotions. This includes symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, migraines, and stress.
Getting outside doesn’t have to be hard. While some people might enjoy a ten-mile trek up a steep mountainside, strenuous activity isn’t the only way to spend time in nature. Find a spot to go on a short nature walk. Pack a picnic basket with your favorite foods (maybe a little Go for Woke?) and have a little lunch outside. Grab some friends and take photos in the midst of the trees! The opportunities are endless.
- Start practicing yoga
Yoga is one of the most fascinating forms of exercise there is. It simultaneously exercises your body, mind, and spirit—resulting in a workout like no other.
An important part of many mindfulness traditions, yoga is an excellent way to destress and focus on the present. David Gordon White, a professor of Indology, has stated that one of the primary goals of yoga is to “release any suffering and find inner peace.” A bit heavy-handed perhaps, but the focus on breath and body that is prevalent in yoga is one of the best ways to find a moment of peace amongst the raging squall of everyday life.
Practicing yoga is easy—you can do it from anywhere! Many people go to yoga studios, but it’s just as easy to find a video and do yoga from the comfort of your own home. All you need is a computer or TV and enough space to do tree pose without hitting the ceiling.
After your yoga session, spread a little of Farmer & Chemist’s Chill Out on your sore muscles to calm them down and make your recovery even smoother. You’ll thank us later.
- Set some time aside for meditation
Getting outside or practicing yoga are some of the greatest ways to destress, but they can be a hassle. When this is the case, meditation may quickly become your best friend.
Rooted in traditions of mindfulness, meditation is a great way to strengthen one’s awareness, resulting in a mentally clear and calm state. Although meditation began as a religious rite, it has since become an accepted cure for stress and anxiety.
Mindful meditation is rooted in two concepts: attention and acceptance. The first aspect, attention, is about training your mind to be aware of the present moment—typically through breath control and focusing one’s thoughts. The second, acceptance, teaches us to observe our present thoughts and emotions without judgement. Once the thought has been acknowledged, you let it go and move on.
There are many different ways to meditate, so try different methods and you’re sure to find one that works for you. When I meditate, I like to sit cross legged on the floor and picture a lotus flower that opens and closes with my breath. As soon as I feel my thoughts wandering, I bring the imagined lotus back to my attention. It’s difficult at first, but the more you practice, the easier refocusing your attention will become.
There are also a myriad of apps and videos that provide guided meditation. Listening to a guide is a great way to focus on one thing—resulting in a clear and stress-free mind.
- Make CBD a part of your daily routine
Unfortunately, there often isn’t enough time in the day to go on a hike or meditate. This is where CBD comes in.
CBD (cannabidiol) is a naturally-occurring compound extracted from cannabis plants that aids individuals with anxiety, cognition, movement disorders, and pain—all while avoiding the hypnotic and psychoactive properties of medical marijuana. Basically, it provides most of the calming and pain-relieving benefits of other cannabis products while avoiding the high. CBD has been celebrated for its use in treating various ailments, such as anxiety, epilepsy, and chronic pain. Speaking from firsthand experience, it’s also great for insomnia.
Implementing CBD into your daily routine is an easy and reliable way to give your brain and body a break. With a plethora of ways to take CBD, including topical balms and salves, concentrated tinctures, and soft-gel capsules, you’re sure to find a way that works for you.
If you’re curious about the science behind CBD, check out our previous blog post “Let’s Talk CBD” for a more in depth explanation of our favorite cannabinoid.
Make this spring the most rejuvenating one yet
These are just a few habits that can help make this spring the most relaxing and rejuvenating one yet. Because let’s face it, after the whirlwind that was the past few months, we all need it.
If you have any questions, come visit one of our in-house pharmacists at our brick-and-mortar store located at 7719 S. Main St. in Midvale, Utah! Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@farmer_and_chemist) for all your CBD needs.