It’s hard to deny that a lot of us are under a lot of stress these days. With pressure coming from all directions, including work, family, and relationships, many of us feel that we’re running on empty.
The reality is that stress isn’t just inconvenient or uncomfortable. It can disrupt our health, as the overflow of cortisol in the bloodstream can interfere with each bodily system, leading to a wide range of health problems if it becomes severe enough. And, our mental health is just as important as our physical health, which is why we need to do what we can to keep stress at a minimum, even when it feels like the world is throwing one challenge at us after another.
More people are turning to yoga and meditation to maintain their overall wellbeing, as these two practices have been shown to offer profound effects on mental and physical health, while acting as a free, at-home means for managing stress on a day-to-day basis. Both yoga and meditation can be performed by anyone and require nothing more than an empty space in the home and some quiet.
At Sky Wellness, we are finding that a lot of our customers are coming up with ways to incorporate CBD into their yoga and meditation practices. This is hardly surprising, because CBD’s calming and tension-easing properties can make these practices even more effective and easy to achieve.
Yoga, Meditation, and the Importance of Mindfulness
Yoga and meditation are ancient practices that aim to increase a sense of mindfulness. This refers to a state in which the mind is capable of observing without producing strong emotional responses. Many of us find that as our lives become more complicated, we become oversensitive to stimuli, such as that traffic jam on the way home from work, or the startling noise of thunder. Each time we have a strong emotional response such as these, we release small amounts of cortisol into the body which, when accumulated, can negatively impact our physical and mental health.
Yoga and meditation both force the mind to quiet, enhancing a sense of calm as we simply become aware of our thoughts and surroundings without judgment. This offers fast relief from stress while slowly training the brain to become less reactive, and more accepting. Meanwhile, it activates functions of the nervous system that ease tension in the muscles and support bodily systems that are commonly neglected and compromised, including the digestive system and the immune system.
By now, various studies have shown that both yoga and meditation offer significant health benefits. Those with anxiety and depression tend to find relief from some of their symptoms when practicing daily. And, those who suffer from chronic pain often report feelings of ease after completing a practice.
What Exactly is Meditation?
Meditation is a practice involving finding a quiet, peaceful place and sitting still for a prolonged period of time, during which the objective is to clear the mind of unnecessary thoughts and distractions. During this time, the mind achieves a sense of inner quiet that can dramatically lower stress levels. Meditation practices can be silent of involve chanting, and many use a positive affirmation that is repeated in their head to help calm uneasiness and stay focused. [Source]
How is Yoga Actually Done?
Yoga is an ancient practice involving a series of body positions that aim to stretch and relieve tension throughout the muscles, while certain specific breathing methods are maintained to create a sense of ease throughout the body. There are various styles of yoga including ones that are meant for energizing the body, and ones that are meant for keeping the body and mind still through long holds of certain poses. [Source]
Could CBD Enhance Your Yoga and Meditation Practices?
Now, let’s talk about how CBD can take your yoga and meditation practices to new heights. Both yoga and meditation aim to relieve stress and help with physical pain by supporting a release of tension throughout the body. If you know anything about cannabidiol and other compounds in the hemp plant, then you understand how your CBD routine can complement these practices beautifully.
If we’re dealing with some form of pain, it can be tough to feel comfortable while meditating or doing yoga. But CBD may be able to offer some relief thanks to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that can work together harmoniously to put your body at ease so that you’re in the right state to get on the mat, or sit in a comfortable position for a long period of time.
Another well-known property of hemp is its calming effects, which can help people unwind when they are feeling stressed. Cannabinoids regulate the neurotransmitters in the brain by binding with cannabinoid receptors in these specific regions, helping to slow down cortisol production while balancing serotonin and dopamine levels. What this means, ultimately, is a more peaceful mental state, which is exactly the goal when doing both yoga and meditation.
Therefore, cannabidiol can be the perfect addition to your practices.
Using the CBD at Sky Wellness to Take Mindfulness to the Next Level
At Sky Wellness, we offer a wide array of CBD products that are great for yoga and meditation.
Our topicals are made with natural ingredients that can soothe aches and pains effectively when applied to the skin, and so they’re great to use right before beginning a yoga or meditation practice.
Our tinctures, vapes and edibles offer more widespread effects that can enhance both body and mind, helping to bring the mental state into a calmer space while offering feelings of relaxation from head to toe. This is because cannabinoids bind to cannabinoid receptors in every system of the body in order to regulate their various crucial functions that pertain to our wellbeing. In fact, most of our customers say that our various formulas give them a heightened sense of wellness.
Taking a CBD tincture, edible or vape before starting your yoga or meditation routine can get you into the right space to get as much out of your practice as possible. But make sure that you time your dosage correctly based on the delivery method, so that it peaks when you need it to.
- Vapes take only 10 or so minutes to take effect.
- Tinctures require about 45 minutes.
- Edibles need up to two hours to peak in the body.
Different CBD Products and How to Use Them for Meditation and Yoga
Keep all of this in mind, so that you can feel the effects of cannabidiol and other compounds fully when you’re ready to begin, here is a quick breakdown of each method.
- Tinctures: Can be taken 45 minutes before a yoga or meditation practice, with one full dropper held beneath the tongue for 60 seconds.
- Vapes: Are to be inhaled just before beginning your practice, as they act more quickly. We recommend taking 1 to 4 puffs depending on how potent you want the CBD to be in the body.
- Edibles: Offer more subtle effects and stay active for several hours. We recommend consuming one piece of an edible about 90 minutes before starting.
- Topicals: Can be massaged onto sore and tense areas of the body right before beginning. The cannabinoids work quickly to bind to cannabinoid receptors in the muscles and joints for fast relief that can help you feel more physically comfortable during your practice.
Relax and Try to Become One with Your Surroundings (Including CBD)
Both yoga and meditation can act like timeouts during a particularly stressful week, and research shows that they can improve your health in a variety of ways when practiced on a regular basis. CBD, being a cannabinoid, can help take these practices to a whole new level. That’s why we encourage you to explore the CBD products at Sky Wellness and use the tips above to incorporate them into your mindfulness practices. A greater sense of calm and ease is just one hemp dosage away.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer. All opinions expressed in this blog post are the author's own and do not reflect the view of Sky Wellness or its brands/affiliates.
