Cannabis has been around for thousands of years, used across hundreds of cultures, for a variety of reasons; many of which relate to healing bodies, spirits and minds. In this day and age, that all translates to the concept of “self-care”.
It’s no surprise that self-care is an increasingly popular idea — we are under a lot of stress and often feel exhausted. As cannabis products are becoming more available in a variety of different forms, there is a whole new world of self-care to be discovered. According to a 2017 Eaze survey of 10,000 consumers, cannabis is being used as part of wellness routines. Beyond candles and bubble baths, look inward and explore the delight in treating yourself with cannabis.
From premium flower, to refreshing beverages and luxury vape cartridges, here are five ways to chill out and incorporate this powerful plant into your self-care regimen:
1. Mindful Breathing
It can be as simple as taking a deep breath. Focus your attention on the inhale and the exhale, ideally from a comfortable seated or reclined position. Close your eyes and calm yourself while building resilence to stress, anxiety and anger. Inhale the good stuff — like one of Flora Terra’s high-quality flowers — and exhale whatever doesn’t bring you joy.
Our favorite flowers for relaxing:
- Big Al’s | Northern Brights > Ranks high on the calmness scale.
- Cru | Gods Gift > Highly effective as a stress reliever, this blend will leave you in a in a dreamy and peaceful daze.
- Ember Valley | Ice Cream Cake > This strain leaves you completely relaxed, promoting a clear-head space right before a good night’s sleep.
2. Unwind and Try Cannabis over Wine
Disconnect from “work-life” and settle into your “after-work” self. Rather than pouring a large glass of wine, which may lead to the dreaded hangover or a night of restless sleep, try a calming vaporizer, low dose edible or cannabis infused beverage. Popsugar’s Fitness Editor, Nicole Yi, says that, “One of the first things I do as soon as I get home is smoke a joint or use my vape. It allows me to immediately unwind after the workday and switch over to me mode. While I don’t shut off completely, I’ve found it necessary to at least set boundaries for my work life and home life.”
Our go-to after-work wonders:
- AbsoluteXtracts | Cherry Pie Live Resin Cartridge > A hybrid strain, often referred to as a light-indica, this product is known for its calming full-body relief and patients report enjoying it for reducing stress.
- Beboe | Downtime Indica Disposable Vaporizer > Intended for quiet evenings at home, the Downtime Pen is great for reducing anxiety and smooth out life’s crinkles at the end of a long day.
- 3Leaf | Double Chocolate 1:1 > A pure indulgence that offers a balanced cannabis experience. Formulated with all natural ingredients, this treat is evenly infused with both 5mg of THC and 5mg of CBD. Enjoy relaxation and body relief.
- Lagunitas | Hi-Fi Hops 1:1 > With no sugar and zero calories, Hi-Fi Hops 1:1 offers a guilt-free feel good. It is calming, refreshing, invigorating, comforting, and subtly energizing.
3. Start your day with CBD
Along with your morning vitamins, a CBD tincture or topical lotion may help your body maintain homeostasis — read: balanced. Feel great and keep your cool as the day begins.
Good Morning Routine:
- Care By Design | Drops 18:1 > Formulated in a fully equipped lab to ensure the highest quality and best results, Care by Design Drops are good for daytime use, for people that are new to cannabis, and for those looking to avoid any psychoactive effects.
- Wonder | CBD Tincture 25:1 > Studies have shown that CBD may help reduce chronic pain and other ailments by reducing inflammation and interacting with neurotransmitters.
- Humble Flower Co. | Soothing Lotion, Jasmine + Vanilla > This powerful but gentle combination of cannabinoids with Jasmine, Rose, and Vanilla essential oils is Humble Flower Co’s bestseller. Blended in a fast-absorbing, organic spa-quality lotion base, this lotion leaves virtually no trace of cannabis-scent, making it a discrete and effective option for topical pain relief throughout the day.
4. Get Creative
On the importance of being creative, in his 2004 Ted Talk, Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi said, “When we are involved in creativity, we feel that we are living more fully than during the rest of life…” Self-care is about feeding our souls, and creating is known to reduce cortisol levels (a stress-inducing hormone). Self-expression can connect us to others and bring us outside ourselves. But sometimes it’s hard to pick up a pen or paint brush and know where to start. You’re familiar with the feeling—you’re trying to find inspiration, but you feel foggy and have trouble staying focused. Insert cannabis. A May 2019 Leafly article connects cannabis to increased creativity, confirming that “creativity is associated with the brain’s frontal lobe, and that cannabis consumption increases cerebral blood flow (CBF) to this area” — meaning cannabis stimulates the area of the brain used in brainstorming and creative thinking. Long story short – get high and get creative. You’ll feel better.
Let’s Get Artsy:
- Cru | Wifi43 Flower > Enjoy cerebral invigoration, feel refreshed and motivated after using this daytime sativa.
- Beboe | Inspired Sativa Disposable Vaporizer > Intended for daytime hours, Beboe’s Inspired pen lets you experience everything under rose-tinted glasses without losing focus. Enjoy a bright, uplifting, and creative high with Beboe’s curated combination of sativa-dominant strains.
5. Share with friends
Who’s to say that belly laughs with good company isn’t a form of self-care? Call your best buds, light up your favorite pre-roll and smile away the day’s stress. Hanging with people you care about can uplift your mood and leave you in good spirits.
Perfect for sharing:
- Garden Society | Strawberry Tangie “Rosettes” Pre-Roll 10-pack > Garden Society’s delicately rolled sativa-hybrid Rosettes are filled with whole flower cannabis to provide an uplifting yet mild effect, perfect for the end of (or during!) a stress-filled day.
- Pacific Reserve | Dreamband Pre-Roll > This invigorating blend induces happiness while melting away stress and offers pain control while dissipating depression.
