Although it’s often associated with marijuana, CBD or cannabidiol is actually extracted from the hemp plant, and it could very well be the magic ingredient you need to make your day less hectic. Marijuana contains both THC and CBD, and if smoked or consumed simultaneously, these can result in a high. Unlike marijuana, hemp contains less than 0.3% of THC and the CBD found in it produces a calming effect rather than a high. While you might think of hemp or CBD as a treat reserved for weekends with friends, its effect is subtle enough that you can incorporate it into your everyday routine. Read on to find out more about how CBD edibles and other forms of CBD can help you feel balanced and relieve stress in the morning, afternoon, evening, and night.
Morning
An old saying tells us that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. If that’s true, then the morning might just be the time of the day with the most potential. It’s often equal parts productive and relaxing. Yes, it’s true—relaxation can be productive. Think of it as a computer powering on after being shut down for a while. The morning is our time to prepare our minds and bodies for the hard work to come during the rest of the day. In the morning, we take care of ourselves with calming rituals like making coffee or tea, doing a skincare routine, taking vitamins, deciding what we’re going to wear, listening to music, or reading. Mornings set the tone for the rest of the day. If you wake up with a stiff neck, spill your coffee, or miss your alarm clock, your whole day will likely feel a little bit lopsided. You’re probably cringing just thinking about it.
CBD, especially CBD edibles and gummies, can act as a helpful addition to your morning routine. You can take one alongside your daily multi-vitamin. And, if you do wake up with a stiff neck or feel yourself panicking because you slept through your alarm, CBD can provide you with a sense of calm so the rest of your relaxation can be productive. Plus, CBD has soothing benefits in addition to stress-relieving benefits, so if you do wake up with achy joints or a pulled muscle, you won’t have to worry about that, either.
Let’s say you have a hard time waking up, and the last thing you need in the morning is an incentive to go back to sleep. While CBD typically works as a subtle sedative, providing a calming effect, smaller dosages of CBD can actually act as a stimulant. Doses lower than 15 milligrams tend to have alerting properties, and most CBD gummies have a dosage of about 30 milligrams per gummy. If you would normally take one gummy from your pack of CBD edibles to help you feel relaxed, consider cutting one in half for that energy-boosting effect.
Afternoon
Most of us are familiar with the mid to late afternoon slump. It usually hits after lunch, and it’s so disheartening to feel all of the productivity and potential of the morning drain out of us. But just because the morning is over doesn’t mean productivity has to be. The effects of CBD can last two to six hours, so if you already took one dosage of CBD with breakfast, you may want to skip out. But you could always choose to take your first dosage of CBD during the afternoon.
Consider cutting your dosage in half for that extra energy boost, or take a full dosage if you need an extra bit of calm. Besides, “calm” doesn’t mean “tired.” In fact, hemp has actually been shown to reduce fatigue and improve concentration and mental clarity. CBD edibles specifically target serotonin receptors in the brain. Make sure to seek out CBD edibles that contain all-natural ingredients so you’re not getting any ingredients that might make you drowsy. CBD can help you get through that rough late afternoon patch and into the home stretch!
Evening and Night
When it’s finally time to come home after a long day and relax, you might find that your mind continues to run on a hamster wheel. You can always choose to incorporate CBD into your evening routine instead—although just make sure to abide by the dosage instructions on your CBD and don’t take too much. There are plenty of CBD edibles that are specifically made with both CBD and melatonin to help you prepare for sleep. These edibles can take up to an hour to work properly, so make sure you take one about an hour before you lay down in bed. You can take one with dinner and then perform your evening routine as usual—relaxing with a book, some TV, or a chat with friends. Then when it’s time for lights out, your CBD will help you drift into sleep easier, even if you usually suffer from nighttime restlessness. Have a restful sleep—see you in the morning!
