Self-Care and Cannabis: A Natural Combination with Powerful Results

In the fast-paced world we live in, the term "self-care" often gets tossed around as a buzzword or a luxury reserved for weekends. But the essence of self-care is far from being a mere indulgence or trend. It's a fundamental aspect of living a balanced, healthy life. As we navigate through the complexities of modern life, the importance of self-care becomes not just relevant but absolutely crucial. And when pairing self-care with cannabis, it becomes easier than ever.

National Self-care Day is April 5^th – we’re diving into its importance, and how cannabis can help.

What is Self-Care and Why Does it Matter?

Self-care is the intentional practice of taking time to attend to your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It's recognizing that in order to be the best version of ourselves for the people around us, we must first ensure that we are taking care of our own needs. This concept is rooted in the understanding that personal well-being directly impacts our interactions, productivity, and overall happiness.

Self-care is not a one-size-fits-all prescription. It encompasses a wide range of activities that cater to different aspects of our being:

• Physical Self-Care: This includes activities that improve your physical health, such as regular exercise, adequate sleep, balanced nutrition, and routine medical check-ups.
• Mental Self-Care: Engaging in practices that nurture your mind, like meditation, reading, learning new skills, or simply taking a break to clear your thoughts.
• Emotional Self-Care: Activities that help you connect, process, and express your emotions in healthy ways. This could be through journaling, therapy, art, or spending quality time with loved ones.
• Social Self-Care: Nurturing relationships and seeking meaningful connections, which is essential for emotional support and building a sense of community.
• Spiritual Self-Care: Finding purpose and value in your life, which can be achieved through practices like meditation, prayer, spending time in nature, or any activity that helps you connect with something greater than yourself.

The benefits of self-care, in any of its forms, are profound and far-reaching. Physically, it helps reduce the risk of illness and increases vitality. Mentally, it clears the mind and enhances decision-making capabilities. Emotionally, it fosters a greater sense of inner peace and happiness. Socially, it improves our relationships and connectivity with others. Spiritually, it brings a deeper sense of fulfillment and alignment with personal values.

In today's world, where stress and burnout are increasingly common, self-care acts as a powerful antidote. It helps in managing stress, improving resilience, and maintaining a healthy balance between work and personal life. By prioritizing self-care, we not only enhance our own lives but also contribute positively to our communities and the people around us.

Cultivating a Self-Care Routine with Cannabis

Integrating self-care into daily life doesn't have to be overwhelming. Start small by identifying areas of your life that need more attention and gradually incorporate activities that you enjoy and find beneficial. Remember, self-care is a personal journey and what works for one person may not work for another. The key is to be consistent, mindful, and kind to yourself throughout the process.

A few of our favorite ways to practice self-care with cannabis are:

1.      Soak with Avexia and a Good Book

Soaking in the tub is insanely relaxing – mentally, and physically. Tub time can soothe aching joints, ease anxiety and depression symptoms, and can even help you fall asleep.

Paired with the power of Avexia Lavender Bath Soak, this relaxation is upped several notches. Epsom salt infused with lavender essential oils, 100mg THC, and 100mg CBD per jar, this topical eases stress and pain from where you’re holding it, with the added bonus of being supremely hydrating. Slip in with your favorite book, and slip out with a renewed sense of clarity. And, to up your pain relief, slather on some Avexia Pain Relief Balm or Lotion where you need it most.

2.      Pair Journaling with Yuzu Zones Bits or Wyld Pear 1:1 Gummies

Suffer from racing thoughts, need to work through something, or can’t shake stress?  Try journaling out what you’re feeling. A study published in 2022 that focused on journaling responses to three short questions showed a significant reduction in stress for participants. A similar study found that journaling led to increased feelings of well-being.

Edibles can help you loosen your inhibitions and dive into your creativity. Yuzu Zone Bits or Wyld Pear gummies are ideal options for this. A delicious pairing of fruit flavors with THC and CBG provides a dose of focus with relaxation – perfect for putting those words down on pen and paper (or in your notes app).

3.      Go for a Walk with Guava Go Bits

If you’re like this writer, you can get so deep into the workday or even deep cleaning before realizing you haven’t spent a second outdoors. According to a systematic review of studies exploring the connection between outdoor time and benefits, “Physical activity in a natural outdoor environment has been associated with reduced negative emotions and fatigue, increased energy, improved attention, as well as greater satisfaction, enjoyment and a greater intent to repeat the activity.” Plus, let’s be honest, the sun just feels great (hello, vitamin D).

We love to pair our walks with Guava Go Bits. Infused with THC, coffee fruit, and guarana, these low-dose edibles provide a boost of energy when you need it most. When paired with a walk at any time of day, you’re sure to find a sense of invigoration to reset anything irking you.

4.      Stretch with Encore Watermelon Gummies or Good Day Farm Watermelon Sugar Edibles

Stretching or yoga are fantastic for self-care. They ease tension out of your body, allowing you to focus on that sense of release and release of endorphins that follow. Whether you prefer yoga poses or simple body stretches paired with or without a foam roller, make sure to pair it with your favorite tunes, and a nice edible.

Our favorite edibles to stretch with? Encore Watermelon or Good Day Farm Watermelon Sugar gummies. These hybrids set a soothing tone for your stretching or yoga, allowing you to slip into the movements and enjoy doing so.

5.      Meditate with Your Favorite Strain

The psychoactive effects of cannabis use can make it an extremely powerful aid for attuning your mental state to a peaceful, meditative wavelength. Meanwhile, its physical relaxation properties can help you to feel fully present in your physical form without being so sharply aware of bodily discomforts, aches and pains, or chronic ailments.

Try pairing your meditations, no matter how short or long, with a cannabis strain that makes you feel good. Some find that even the most basic meditation exercises, such as repeating a positive affirmation in the mirror each day, can feel deeper and more meaningful after they have used a therapeutic dose of cannabis to lessen their inhibitions and self-doubts.

Fine-Tune Your Cannabis and Self-Care Routine at Zen Leaf

The benefits of self-care are endless. It allows us to recharge and maintain a clear head so we can make better decisions throughout our day and at work, and cannabis can help enhance your routine.

Find the products you need to practice self-care with cannabis at your local Zen Leaf Dispensary. From topicals to edibles, vapes to flower, there is something for everyone, and our educated Cannabis Advisors are eager to help you find your ideal product.

*This post was originally published on March 29, 2022, and updated on March 29, 2024.

References:

1. “Caring for Your Mental Health.” National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Feb. 2024, www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health.
2. Kapil, Rubina. “How and Why to Practice Self-Care.” Mental Health First Aid, 14 Mar. 2022, www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/2022/03/how-and-why-to-practice-self-care/.
3. Knight, Dacy. “12 Impressive Health Benefits of Soaking in a Hot Bath.” Byrdie, Byrdie, 29 Nov. 2023, www.byrdie.com/benefits-of-hot-baths-4778411.
4. Thoele, David G et al. “Health Care Practitioners and Families Writing Together: The Three-Minute Mental Makeover.” The Permanente journal vol. 24 (2020): 19.056. doi:10.7812/TPP/19.056
5. Thorpe, Matthew. “12 Benefits of Meditation.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 11 May 2023, www.healthline.com/nutrition/12-benefits-of-meditation.
6. Twohig-Bennett, Caoimhe, and Andy Jones. “The health benefits of the great outdoors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of greenspace exposure and health outcomes.” Environmental research vol. 166 (2018): 628-637. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2018.06.030