CBD For Athletes: Tips For Reaching Peak Performance
Whether you’re a professional MMA fighter or a regular gym-goer just trying to stay fit, then you understand the importance of reaching peak performance. Unfortunately, reaching peak performance isn’t always easy, and it requires plenty of hard work and dedication. This means that it can be easy to slack off in your efforts to reach that peak performance goal if your body doesn’t feel right or something else gets in the way of your goals. Fortunately, CBD can help you reach your goals in a number of different ways. Let's find out how. Natural Ingredients If you’re planning on training for an event or looking for everyday support in your daily work-out routine, hemp-derived CBD is a great natural option. When researching CBD brands, it is important to check the label and see if the company responsibly sources the products and the extraction method used. CBD is best when it’s an organic product that is pesticide-free and GMO-free. It is generally well-accepted by the body, which means you can also experiment with the dosage. For example, the best CBD oil contains below the government-regulated THC content threshold of 0.3%, which means getting high is not likely. Discuss CBD in advance with your doctor to see which products and dosage can work best for your specific needs. Post-Workout Relief One of the best possible benefits of CBD is its anti-inflammatory properties, making it great for muscle relief after an intense gym session or run. It can be used topically to directly treat an area of the body that needs special attention. Applying a CBD topical is like giving yourself a couple shots of pure cannabinoid extract in specific areas—for instance, your shoulder muscles. And because you’re not ingesting anything (hence zero results on a drug test), you can get away with using higher concentrations of all major cannabinoids. In addition to per-application dose considerations, certain conditions require different applications when using cannabis topicals. Try low doses or consult with your doctor until you find what works best for you. Performance Anxiety Athletes are put under tremendous pressure to perform and to succeed. Even seasoned athletes still carry that same pressure. Performance anxiety comes in many forms, which could bring your body into a tense state. CBD can be used to treat performance anxiety since it contains properties that can help you calm you down, making you more capable of dealing with stressful situations. It can help you stay focused on your task at hand instead of getting lost in your thoughts or worrying about other things. CBD gummies or CBD oil before a high-stress event or match can help ease tension or racing thoughts, allowing you to perform your best. A Good Night's Sleep Sleep is critical for athletic performance. Regular sleep schedules are essential, because athletes need to make sure their body is getting enough rest so that they’re ready to give 100% in training and competition. Research shows sleep deprivation can weaken memory, slow reaction time, and impair judgment; all of which are crucial skills for athletes. However, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Taking a decent amount of CBD gummies or CBD oil can help ease the mind and induce sleep. It’s also used by people who may have trouble falling into sleep or with disturbed sleep patterns, as it can help ease racing thoughts or anxiety that can prompt insomnia.
5 Natural Ways to Treat Stress and Anxiety
Do you feel bogged down by stress and anxiety? Are you beginning to wonder if traditional medicine is the best treatment? Are you open to natural ways to get the relief you’re seeking? While there are many ways to treat stress and anxiety, no two people respond in the exact same manner. So, for this reason, it’s best that you learn as much as you can about all the options that are available to you. And that means taking the time to learn more about natural ways of treating your concerns. Here are five ideas to experiment with: Try Herbal Remedies The use of herbal remedies is on the rise, with many people turning to it as a means of treating stress and anxiety. Check out this statistic: an estimated 64 million Americans have tried a natural supplement to help with anxiety. In other words, if you decide to go down this path, you’re not alone.  If you’re unsure of what to buy or what type of natural herbs would work best for you, a quick online search will provide you with all the guidance you need. There are a lot of products to choose from, so choose wisely.  Note: there are other natural products, such as lavender oil, that can help with stress and anxiety. Yoga  If you’ve practiced yoga in the past, you’re likely to have some idea of the impact it can have on your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. While many people turn to yoga to stay in shape, it can do just as much good for your mental state. You don’t have to practice yoga every day but stick with it long enough to find a schedule that works for you. This will give you something to lean on when you feel that your stress and anxiety levels are out of control. Take a Walk There are many reasons to get into the habit of taking a walk, and they go well beyond the physical benefits. If you’re looking for a way to use walking to decrease stress and anxiety, find a quiet place for a stroll. For example, it’s always better to take a walk through a park or on a nature trail, as opposed to fighting heavy traffic in a city setting. Meditate For hundreds upon hundreds of years, people have been meditating as a means of becoming one with their bodies. When you focus on your body, not external factors, your stress and anxiety will melt away.  Perhaps the biggest benefit of meditation is that you don’t have to spend a lot of time on this activity for it to positively affect your mind, body, and soul. Start with 10 to 15 minutes per day to see where it gets you. From there, consider increasing the amount of time you meditate, as well as the frequency. Take a Warm Bath Is there anything more relaxing than lowering your body into a warm bath? From the moment the water touches your skin, you’ll feel like the weight of the world has been lifted off your shoulders. The water itself will work wonders on your mental state, but don’t be afraid to mix in other elements, such as Epsom salt.  If you don’t have a bath available to you, there’s nothing wrong with taking a shower. It may not provide the same experience, but it’s still helpful. Tip: muscle tension is a sign of stress and anxiety. A warm bath can help relieve this symptom.  Experiment With All These Ideas You never know what will help you reduce (or eliminate) your stress and anxiety until you try a few of these ideas. Maybe one will work. Maybe a handful will give you the results you’re looking for. Get into the habit of trying anything that can bring you relief. You never know when you’ll find that one special technique that puts your mind at ease.  Final Thoughts on Naturally Dealing with Stress and Anxiety As you can see, there’s no shortage of natural ways to deal with stress and anxiety. Experiment with all the ideas above, keep track of the impact they’re having on your life, and settle on an approach that suits you. Once you have a plan in place, you’ll feel better about your ability to control your stress and anxiety without traditional medicine. And when that happens, you’ll feel like you have more control over your life.