This time of year is full of wrapping presents, eating way too much food, and getting your loved ones together. Even though these events and cozy evenings are filled with fun and laughter, navigating family dynamics and rushing around getting things done can also be quite stressful. Since managing holiday stress is crucial to fully enjoying the festive season, here are four ways you can use medical marijuana to help relieve holiday stress.
Using Cannabis to Manage Holiday Anxiety
Get Better Sleep
Whether you are staying up late doing last-minute shopping or finishing wrapping presents Christmas Eve night, your stress levels are likely high. Research has shown that increased stress will cause sleep deprivation or nights of insomnia. To make matters worse, less sleep causes weight gain, brain fog, and more stress.
To end this cycle and improve sleep quality, consider using medical marijuana. It is a great sleep aid with stress-relieving properties. Remember, whenever you use such substances, be sure to follow the treatment plan provided by your doctor.
Drink Herbal Tea
While planning and fixing dishes for your family and friends this holiday season, schedule some time for yourself. Often, we rationalize that we do not have time for that, but that is exactly why you should take the time.Â
Anything with a calming effect or helps to promote relaxation will have tremendous benefits for your well-being. It will help reduce your stress even more if you include medical marijuana. One way you can do this is to add it to your favorite herbal tea and sip it while you read a book or binge-watch Netflix.
Draw a Bath
Another way you can reduce stress is by drawing a cannabis-infused bath. When you add cannabis to your bath, it makes the experience that much more stress-relieving. Not only can marijuana/cannabis reduce your stress, but it has many topical benefits that you take advantage of in a bath.Â
Treating skin irritants, alleviating the symptoms of psoriasis, and reducing inflammation are just a few of the benefits of topical marijuana. As always, be sure to consult your doctor.
If you experience holiday stress and do not have your Medical Marijuana Certification, now is the time to set up an appointment with us.
Manage Social Anxiety
For some, holiday gatherings can be socially overwhelming. Low doses of THC or high-CBD strains can help reduce social anxiety and make social situations feel less intimidating.
Understanding Holiday Stress
The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration for many, but it can also be a source of significant stress and anxiety. The pressure to buy gifts, host family gatherings, and maintain a perfect holiday image can be overwhelming.
Additionally, the winter season can bring on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression that affects millions of people worldwide. According to the American Psychological Association, 49% of adults in the U.S. report feeling stressed during the holiday season, with 41% saying their stress levels often double during this time. Understanding the root causes of holiday stress is crucial in finding effective ways to manage it.
The Science Behind Cannabis and Stress Relief
Cannabis has been shown to positively impact stress relief, and its effects can be attributed to its interaction with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS plays a crucial role in regulating mood, cognition, and memory, among other functions.
When cannabis is consumed, its cannabinoids bind to receptors in the ECS, sending signals that can help reduce stress and anxiety. THC, the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis, can produce feelings of relaxation and euphoria, while CBD, a non-psychoactive compound, has been shown to have anxiolytic and stress-reducing properties.
By understanding the science behind cannabis and stress relief, you can make informed decisions about using cannabis as a tool to manage holiday stress.
Finding Relaxation and Enjoyment in the Holiday Season
The holiday season is a time for relaxation and enjoyment, but it can often be overshadowed by stress and anxiety. By incorporating cannabis into your holiday routine, you can find relief from stress and anxiety and enjoy a more peaceful and enjoyable holiday season. Whether you’re looking to unwind after a long day of holiday shopping or seeking a way to manage stress and anxiety during family gatherings, cannabis can be a valuable tool.
By understanding the science behind medical cannabis and stress relief, using medical cannabis responsibly, and following tips for using cannabis during the holidays, you can find relaxation and enjoyment during the holiday season.
If you experience holiday stress and do not have your Medical Marijuana Certification, now is the time to look after your mental health and set up an appointment with us.
Happy Holidays.
Aaron Bloom serves as the CEO, overseeing the mission and growth of DocMJ and Medwell Health and Wellness Centers. Aaron’s passion for improving patients’ lives comes from his background in health care. For more than 20 years, Aaron owned, operated, and represented traditional healthcare organizations. This experience created a passion for finding improved ways to relieve suffering. His goal as CEO is to work daily to relieve all patients who seek better health and wellness through the medicinal benefits of medical cannabis and evidence-based alternative medicines.