By Op-Ed Bloggers Quinton Charles and Hannah Laing
Posted December 6th
Why the holidays?
December is upon us, meaning snowy weather, holiday music, and stress galore. I think it is safe to say that no matter who you are, the holidays can be a stressful time. From preparing dinners to finding the perfect gift for that awkward family exchange to traveling to see relatives; there is a lot on everyone’s plate.
Why CBD?
By now, you’ve probably seen CBD in a local health and supplements store, heard about it from your friends, or seen it mentioned by an Instagram influencer; but maybe you still have questions. In past blogs I’ve discussed the many benefits of CBD, and how it can be a great addition to your daily life. But just in case you forgot, CBD is a cannabinoid that works with your endocannabinoid system to try and bring your body back to a neutral state, also known as homeostasis. This neutral state can look very different for different people with different systems, but the big three benefits we see are pain relief, stress relief/mood stabilization, and skin issue relief. Now all you have to do is add it (if you haven’t already) to your routine.
When should I take it?
The first step in starting to take CBD is figuring out when in the day to take it! Some people prefer to take it before they go to bed; others use it when needed throughout the day; I prefer to take it in the morning, and here’s why I think that you should, too.
1. It’s easy!
A lot of people take supplements in the morning. I’m one of those people. A quick capsule or liquid dropper with breakfast, washed down with water, and I don’t have to worry about it for the rest of the day. CBD fits perfectly into that schedule. Every morning, I’ll take either a MedTerra capsule or a Social tincture and I know that I got my CBD for the day. If I need more, I can take it again later in the day. It’s perfect!
We all have heard that a healthy breakfast is a great way to start one’s day. So what about adding CBD? You could take a tincture before breakfast (as I do), in between bites of toast or oatmeal, or right after you’ve put your dishes in the sink. It takes so little time to add that CBD to your routine that it’s almost unnoticeable (but don’t forget it!). However, if you do opt to take your CBD in the morning, make sure not to add it to your coffee. This seems counter-intuitive, as many of us drink coffee daily, but the CBD oil often separates from the coffee and you wind up with the CBD lining the cup or pooled at the bottom. This is exactly where you don’t need it; you need the CBD in your body, not your cup!
2. Consistency is key
Another reason that it is best to take it at a regular time has to do with what I wrote a couple of weeks ago about serving size. As CBD works in your body, you need to stay consistent with how much that you’re taking. Whether you choose morning or night (pick morning!), you should always aim to take CBD around the same time daily. During the holidays, I’m more often than not busy during the evenings. It’s either attending dinner with friends or family, or perhaps otherwise living my Hallmark Movie holiday fantasy 🙂 It’s a lot harder to remember to take my CBD at the same time each afternoon or evening when my schedule changes.
3. It helps you remember
In line with consistency, I find that taking CBD every day at the same time helps me to remember if I have taken it that morning. When I wake up, I have a routine that includes CBD. I take the same few steps to get prepared for the day and if I forget the CBD part of that routine, I feel like I’m missing something. After a few brief moments of thinking, I usually realize that it’s CBD!
4. It may help you to wake up!
If you’re like me, you’re not a morning person. Waking up for work, school, chores, errands is always difficult. I find that CBD can sometimes help get me going, bringing a sense of wakefulness, that can start me on my day. During the holidays, the more energy I can have the better. If I’m feeling particularly sluggish, possibly from a night out celebrating with my family, I’ll take a Select Boost capsule that helps me get going.
5. It may help you deal with the day
While some days are easier than others, I have not met one person who doesn’t deal with some sort of stress during this time of year. I’ve often found that my stress manifests most in the morning, right after I’ve woken up. Taking that CBD in the morning relaxes me and helps me to focus on dealing with the rest of the day. Anxiety be gone!
6. It’s just one aspect of a CBD-filled day!
Taking your CBD in the morning doesn’t mean that you can’t take more later. There’s no need to worry about something happening in the afternoon and not being able to take CBD for it. If you need more, you can always take a booster(ask us about our boosters!), but that constant CBD can always be in the morning to give you that little extra.
7. CBD – It’s great for skin, too!
We all have heard that CBD is a neutralizer. Just last week we talked about how great it is for winter skin. Don’t hesitate to add it to your morning skin-care routine. CBD oil or lotion can help create a barrier between your delicate skin and harsh winter weather while working internally to regulate oil production and soothe irritation. It’s a win-win!
8. What about when working out?
Morning jogs are common, especially when eating all those delicious extra holiday calories. I talked about CBD and body recovery in a past blog and how CBD can help athletes. Even if you’re not an Olympic track star or a bodybuilder, CBD can still help with recovering from a tough workout or tough night out. You can take it before you work out or after. If you’re the type who hits the gym early, try adding CBD to your gym schedule. I didn’t regret it.
Holidays and Pets
Holidays and animals do not always go hand in hand. If your furry friends get nervous during the holidays due to changes in the house, new visitors or just all around chaos as you prepare for the season, CBD can assist with their anxieties or even hurting joints from the cold. (All of our lucky customers who are in warmer weather don’t need to worry about this…but us here in Cold Michigan appreciate CBD!!!)
Morning or night…
Whether you decide to take CBD in the morning or night, you can enjoy these potential benefits. As long as you’re consistent with serving size and time, I’m hopeful that CBD can be a helpful addition to this holiday season. I take my CBD in the morning, so I’m partial to that time, but I know people who take it at night. As long as you’re committed to a balanced lifestyle, not eating too much of those holiday treats and exercising as much as you’re able, I’m sure that you’ll feel great (even when you have to wake up early!). As always, feel free to email, call, or message us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or Youtube if you’re curious as to when we take our CBD. Happy Holidays!