Recent data reports that around 84% of Americans feel stressed weekly. It’s no wonder life’s daily stressors are getting too much to bear, from expensive living costs to long working hours. This issue can be especially prevalent in expensive states like New Jersey, which have high living costs (13% higher than the national average).
NJ was also named the second most stressed state in the country, according to a 2022 study by Zippia. In such an environment, protecting your mental peace becomes more important than ever.
If you feel overwhelmed, consider the following strategies to help you relax.
Incorporation of CBD
Using CBD can help soothe your nervous system and help you relax by relieving stress. It targets specific receptors in your brain to release happy chemicals and helps reduce the blood flow to anxiety-inducing brain regions, such as the hypothalamus. This effect provides immediate relaxation and can even decrease symptoms of depression. Though there is a certain amount of skepticism about its use, 62% of Americans relieve their stress using CBD.
You can use CBD products if the CBD comes from a hemp plant and has less than 0.3% THC under federal law. However, the legality can vary state by state and for products with higher THC content. For example, the consumption of medicinal marijuana is legal in New Jersey. You can either enjoy one ounce at a time or get a medical marijuana card if you want to consume more than that. It is a special card that gives you certain privileges for consuming marijuana. With a New Jersey MMJ card, you can purchase three ounces in thirty days. This means fewer trips to dispensaries, and you won’t run out as often as people without one.
Furthermore, this card also helps you purchase medicinal marijuana at a cheaper price. This is helpful, considering that NJ is the 6th most expensive state in America, with an ounce of cannabis costing around $455. These prices are among the highest in the nation, which is why getting a medicinal marijuana card can help you make significant savings with exclusive discounts and loyalty programs.
If you suffer from any chronic condition that keeps you from unwinding, consider pairing relaxation techniques with CBD consumption. While CBD is mostly effective on its own, pairing it with the following strategies can yield even better results. It is important to note that you can also utilize these strategies without CBD too.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness brings you back from your stressful thoughts by encouraging you to focus on the now. Since it’s easy to get lost in your own head sometimes, mindfulness helps you come back to the present and prevents you from overthinking. This technique is something you can incorporate easily into your everyday life.
Here’s how you can start.
- Practice meditating for ten minutes every day and focus on your breath.
- Pay attention to the physical sensations of your body. For example, your breath, what you can touch, and what you can hear.
- Let your thoughts and feelings come without passing judgment. Simply observe and acknowledge them.
- Eat mindfully, and avoid using your phone while eating meals.
- Try journaling to keep a record of your thoughts.
Mindfulness can be applied to numerous activities and can help reduce stress and other negative emotions. It can be tough at first, and it is okay if your thoughts wander. However, making it a habit is essential. So, practice mindfulness daily by setting time aside to incorporate it into your routine.
Guided imagery
Sometimes, you can get overwhelmed by a certain thought, emotion, or situation. In such scenarios, you can use guided imagery to calm you down. It is also a form of meditation that utilizes your imagination to help regulate your feelings. This stress management technique involves the following steps:
- Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.
- Imagine a place, time, or person that makes you feel happy.
- Focus on that positive emotion and pay close attention to it.
- Describe that feeling by giving it a color or texture. Whether it is a cool or warm sensation.
- Think about where you feel it in your body.
- Count to three once you feel at peace and slowly open your eyes.
The process may vary for everyone. You can make up your scenario or use guided imagery audio scripts to help make visualization easier. Practicing this technique daily can equip you with the skills to calm down after experiencing triggering situations and recognize your emotions.
Yoga
Around 36 million Americans regularly practice yoga because of its mental and physical benefits. A recent survey revealed that 86% of people who do yoga experienced reduced stress and increased mental clarity. It is an easy relaxation technique with numerous poses for everyone. If you are a beginner at yoga, you can start by trying out the following basic poses:
- Child’s pose to gently stretch your hips and lower back.
- Downward-facing dog to stretch your hamstrings and strengthen your arms.
- Cobra pose to stretch your chest and strengthen your back.
- Tree pose to improve your balance and strengthen your core.
Once you get the basics down, you can try out more difficult poses. While you are doing yoga, remember to practice deep breathing and imagine the tension leaving your muscles as they elongate. Your body stores a lot of stress, and doing yoga can help release it.
Conclusion
It is natural to feel stressed now and then. However, it would be best not to let your mind overwhelm you. Too much of everything is harmful, and that is especially true for stress. When life gets challenging, you can take a break and recharge before returning to your daily tasks. Remember to take care of yourself before you take care of anything else.
