Stress plays a fundamental role in motivating people to overcome professional and personal hurdles in life. However, too much stress can drastically impact your life, especially when balancing your work life with your personal life. Stress has different definitions in different dictionaries. In general, parameters that promote stress include financial challenges, overthinking about personal problems, professional competitions, social anxieties, etc.

While these factors might be a part of your pragmatic life, what they indeed do is contribute to health-related problems. All in all, it complicates one’s personal, professional, academic, and social life. If you think these above factors have affected your life with anxiety issues, it’s the right time to get the proper treatment.

With a varying range of treatments for anxiety and stress, you may already become confused before selecting the right solution. But given that prescribed drugs have unwanted side effects, stress-alleviating herbal therapies become the best alternative treatment.

Discuss with a medical professional before stopping or reducing prescribed medications only to follow herbal therapies. Here are the top seven herbal treatments for anxiety and stress. Let’s learn about them.

Cannabis

Coming from the family of Cannbacae, Cannabis is a flowering plant that includes three species - indica, sativa, and ruderalis. It contains cannabidiol or CBD, a natural chemical, and you can get it in different forms, including liquid extract, tablet, vape liquid, topical cream, etc. 

Studies have indicated that CBD effectively treats sleep disorders (insomnia, etc.), chronic pain, and anxiety. So, to reap the benefits, you can choose high supplies from the best suppliers.

Lavender

Who would have ever imagined that a flowering plant like lavender belonging to the mint family would get famous as an herbal treatment? Yes, you read that correctly!

Honestly speaking, it can help calm your nerves and reduce anxiety. There are different ways of including lavender as your safe herbal treatment, such as:

• Make tea from the leaves.

• Add its flowers or oil to baths

• Oil in aromatherapy

• Blending the oil with regular massage oil

Valerian

Valerian is a plant found mainly in Asia and Europe. For centuries, people have used its roots to treat depression, anxiety, and sleep issues. The root is available in three forms – tablets, tincture, and tea. Up until now, studies demonstrated that it alleviates depression and stress. But the safety factor is questionable in terms of the following groups of people:

• Nursing mothers

• Pregnant women

• Children below three years

One must not blend it with sedatives or alcohol; else, its effects might become dangerous.

Chamomile

Chamomile has garnered universal popularity as a flowering herb similar to daisy in terms of its appearance. Medicinally, two chamomile forms are extremely useful – German chamomile and Roman chamomile. You can consume it in various forms like tea, tinctures, capsules, and liquid extracts. Consume either 1-4 cups of chamomile tea or 1-3 ml of extracts thrice every day to get rid of stress. If you are consuming a tincture, then have 15 ml 4 times daily, and if capsules, then 400-1600 mg every day. If you take any medication, always consult your doctor before opting for this herbal treatment.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha belongs to the group of herbs termed adaptogens and affects hormones and systems in the body regulating the stress response of an individual. With its historical roots in Ayurveda, this herb has compounds acyl steryl glucosides and sitoindosides that calm your brain, reduce the level of cortisol (stress hormone), lower blood pressure, alter your immune system and reduce swelling. The recommended dosage of ashwagandha for reducing cortisol is 125 mg - 5 gm for 1 to 3 months, while for anxiety, you can consume about 500 mg of this herb for 6 to 12 weeks every day. 

Kava Kava

Kava kava happens to be a shrub native to islands of the Pacific Ocean. People use kava in ceremonial beverages to alter mood and alleviate stress. It contains a compound called kava pyrones that can calm your brain and relax the muscles. One must take kava herbal treatments only after consulting a medical professional. Consuming it for three months continuously is generally safe, but overconsumption of kava can result in liver injury. In addition, make sure to never have it along with alcohol. 

Passionflower

Passiflora or passionflower is a family of plants having over 550 species. Studies have shown that some species might effectively treat nervousness, anxiety, ADHD, and restlessness when consumed orally. Studies have shown that it can help you relieve surgery stress if consumed 30-90 minutes earlier than the stipulated time. 

Passionflower can soothe the stomach, and research has showed promising results for treating ulcers. To use it, you can add the dried passionflower to boiling water. Make herbal tea out of it and drink for a week. For eight weeks, you can have it continuously to see the results.

Takeaways

While the above seven herbs effectively alleviate anxiety and stress, there are more choices available today. For example, Tulsi can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress; It enhances the activity and level of antioxidants, thereby interacting with free radicals and fighting adverse effects. Next, Brahmi includes potent antioxidant properties. It increases serotonin levels, which is a brain chemical that promotes relaxation and helps you cope with stress. In a nutshell, herbal treatments are highly regarded in the medicinal world today and is largely broadening its significance amongst individuals.

Losing weight can be a challenge for many people. Sometimes, it seems like no matter what you do, the pounds just don't want to budge. If this is something you are struggling with, you may be wondering why it is so difficult to lose weight. This blog post will discuss four possible reasons you may be struggling to lose weight.

No.1

You're not eating enough protein

Protein is an essential nutrient for weight loss. It helps to keep you feeling full and satisfied, so you are less likely to overeat. If you are not eating enough protein, your body will start to break down muscle for energy, which can lead to weight gain.

Protein can be found in a variety of food sources, including meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, beans, lentils, and nuts. Aim for at least 0.36 grams of protein per pound of body weight (or about 55 grams per day for a 155-pound person). If you're struggling to get enough protein in your diet, consider adding a protein supplement or powder to your meals.

No.2

You're running low on Vitamins D and B12

Vitamins D and B12 play an essential role in metabolism, which can affect weight loss. For example, vitamin D helps the body to absorb calcium, while vitamin B12 is involved in energy production. Therefore, a deficiency in either of these vitamins can lead to weight gain and is also one of the leading signs that someone is vitamin D deficient.

You can get vitamin D from exposure to sunlight, as well as from certain foods like eggs, fatty fish, and mushrooms. Vitamin B12 is found naturally in animal products such as meat, poultry, and fish. If you are a vegan, nutritional yeast, tempeh, and seaweed are great alternatives. If you don't eat enough of these foods, you may need to take a supplement.

No.3

You're not getting enough sleep

Sleep is crucial for weight loss. When you don't get enough sleep, your body produces more of the hormone cortisol. This hormone can increase appetite and lead to weight gain. A lack of sleep can also make you feel exhausted, so you are less likely to exercise.

Try to get at least seven hours of sleep each night. If you have trouble sleeping, try some relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation before bedtime. Additionally, avoid using electronic devices in the bedroom and create a dark and quiet environment to promote better sleep.

No.4

You're under a lot of stress

Stress can also lead to weight gain. When you're stressed, your body also produces more of the hormone cortisol. This hormone can increase appetite and lead to cravings for unhealthy foods. Try to find ways to reduce stress in your life, such as yoga, meditation, or spending time outdoors. You may also want to consider talking to a therapist if your stress is overwhelming.

No.5

You’re not staying physically active

Staying physically active is an easy and effective way to ensure that we are expelling the necessary calories, getting the necessary cardio exercise, and keeping our bodies functioning properly so that we are able to maintain optimal health. If we are not maintaining balance in our bodies, we are sure to experience the resulting symptoms of deficiency, which come in the form of disease. We have this misunderstanding that exercise is for some people, not all, and that we need a fancy gym in order to be effective. That is completely false. You can find any activity you enjoy and exercise anywhere you desire. It all comes down to relearning false programming and taking accountability for our physical health. After all, it is our body, and we need to be in charge and honest about our habits so that we can make the necessary changes to improve.

Takeaways

If you are struggling to lose weight, there could be many reasons why. Evaluate your health in terms of what you know about yourself and your habits. Take inventory and apply the changes you see need to happen. Make small but actionable lifestyle changes such as regular excercise, getting enough sleep, and reducing stress. With a little intention, you should be on your way to reaching your weight loss goals.

Going out for a few drinks occasionally with your friends is great, but if you start craving alcohol frequently, it is a major sign of concern. Some people who are already addicted to alcohol refuse to admit that they are, and this can make it even more difficult for them to overcome the addiction. The first step to recovering is always confrontation. You should be completely honest with yourself and admit if you are well on your way to becoming an alcoholic or not.

The drinking standard per day stands at 4 drinks per day or 14 drinks per week for men, and for women, 3 drinks per day or 7 drinks per week. The standard drink consists of 5 oz wine, 1.5 oz spirits, and 12 oz beer. If you drink more than this on a regular basis, you will risk becoming an alcoholic.

source

If so, self-realization and quitting alcohol is absolutely necessary. In the end, the long term health benefits of not drinking alcohol are numerous. Quitting will help you and your body in multiple ways, such as less damage to your already overused liver, saving a lot of money that you spend on drinks, using your time in productive work instead of wasting it drinking in bars or at home, losing weight, having a clearer mind and a stronger immune system, sleeping better, and emotional stability. The list is endless.

If you are ready to start overcoming your alcohol addiction, here are a few steps to begin with.

Set Goals and a Schedule

This is a tiny but important step in overcoming your addiction. Plan to slowly reduce your drinks day by day, and finally plan a ‘quit day’, which you can decide according to your level of addiction. You can start slowly and reduce one drink each day, finally reaching the point where you quit completely. This will also allow your body to adapt to the change and reduce withdrawal symptoms, which can otherwise have adverse effects on your body and mind. You can also tell your friends and family that you quit, which will ultimately give you more motivation not to drink because you will be held accountable for your actions.

Remove alcohol from your home and office

When you have alcohol in front of you, you will surely be tempted. But you can face this issue proactively by removing all alcohol and anything that reminds you of it from your home and office. It’s as the saying goes, “out of sight, out of mind.” 

Keep a Diary

When you start or restart drinking alcohol, you need to keep a diary, especially when you know that you are addicted to drinking or if you are a heavy drinker. Maintaining a diary can keep you honest with yourself and can help you keep track of the amount of alcohol you consumed per day and per week. Start by recording for at least 3 or 4 weeks and keep this as a habit thereafter. You can also write down and reflect upon the positive results of your changed habits daily. When you see for yourself the amount of heavy drinking you were subjected to, you tend to reduce or completely quit drinking alcohol. 

Detoxify your body

Detoxification of your body can be performed as a one-week course in either a therapy center or a hospital. Not only is this method helpful in overcoming your addiction, but it also helps in purifying your body by removing all toxins and harmful substances from within. This can also take place in a rehabilitation center, helping to clear your mind.

Join self-help groups

If you think that trying all tactics on your own is not working, you can ask for professional help or join self-help groups. Reaching out to them can give you some support to overcome alcohol addiction much more quickly. These groups might include people who have overcome alcohol addiction themselves and thus can provide personal experiences and tips that work. You can sense hope in overcoming your addiction when you meet these people who were in your shoes once, and moreover, they will not judge you.

Join a rehabilitation program

Rehabilitation is often perceived as a negative thing for people who live in denial and do not accept that they have a problem. It is when it hits an extreme, and nothing helps, that they reach out for help through rehab or their loved ones do. You can choose from a wide range of rehab programs such as inpatient, outpatient, evening sessions, and more. You can also choose the number of days you want to undergo rehabilitation, ranging from 30, 60, to 90 days. Rehabilitation has helped millions of addicts to overcome their problems by teaching them to handle their cravings, managing their anger and stress, and also teaching techniques if they are bound to relapse. You can check online for various rehab programs.

Seek medical intervention

If nothing seems to help, you can visit a physician to receive prescriptions for proper medication for overcoming your alcohol addiction. The three most common drugs that are used to fight alcohol addiction are disulfiram (makes you sick and nauseous when consumed with alcohol), acamprostate (restores brain chemical balance and helps to control cravings), and naltrexone (does not allow you to enjoy the drinking experience by not inducing the feel-good sensations). Your physician will prescribe you the appropriate drugs depending on your addiction and whether you have higher chances of relapsing.

Quitting alcohol is not child’s play, especially after getting all the shakes, brain fog, and confusion after not drinking for a day or two. If you are in the beginning stages of addiction, it is much easier for you to treat it and quit, but it is extremely difficult in the later stages, although not impossible. You should keep in mind that not only are you affected by the consequences of alcohol addiction, but your friends and family suffer too. Just make yourself more aware, educate yourself, and believe in yourself to overcome this hurdle to come out clean. Patience is the key, and those who did not give up are now completely sober.

CBD, which is known as cannabidiol, is a compound that is extracted from the cannabis plant. It was discovered in the early 1940s and has since been consumed by millions of people. Medical practitioners encourage patients to use it for its many medical benefits. You will be intrigued to know that people who are suffering from arthritis and undergoing chemotherapy treatment are often given CBD tinctures because they help in alleviating severe body pains. In this article, we will share five ways in which CBD is being consumed by people all over the world.

source

CBD oils and tinctures

This is the most popular way of consuming CBD around the globe. CBD and oil tinctures are commonly used to help in treating severe body pains among many other health benefits. People who have arthritis and suffer from chronic pain often apply CBD tinctures on the affected parts of their body. CBD tinctures come in a variety of different flavors and aromas. If you are about to use a CBD tincture for the first time, just be aware that you must wait for 20 to 40 minutes for CBD to work its wonders.

CBD lotions and creams

Gone are the days when CBD was only used as a medicine. CBD-infused lotions and creams are now commonly available all around the world. Today, dermatologists are discovering innovative ways for people to get an uplift in their skin tone. Several sources of medical research prove multiple benefits of CBD for the skin. Experts also say CBD-infused lotions act as a sunscreen for the skin. CBD lotions become effective after 3 to 5 hours from application on the skin.

CBD gummies

This snack is a treat for people who love to consume CBD every day. CBD gummies are small-sized jellies that contain CBD oil. These gummies are easy to carry, and you can travel with them in most parts of the world. The best part about these gummies is that they contain the right amount of CBD that may be consumed by an average person to achieve its effectiveness. Head over to Kushie Bites if you want to enjoy yummy gummies. Check their website to know fun facts about CBD gummies.

CBD tea and kava

Many bars and restaurants in South Florida sell nothing but CBD and kratom-infused beverages and food products. CBD tea is a very popular beverage in Asian countries since tea is a traditional part of Asian culture. People who drink CBD tea claim it provides relaxation to the body and is very helpful in treating anxiety disorders and depression. CBD kava is less expensive and you can get s single shot for as low as $7.

 CBD desserts

The use of CBD is not limited to only a medicine but also as a major ingredient in multiple food items. Have you ever tried CBD chocolate chip cookies? They're yummy and a treat for CBD lovers. CBD-infused pastries and cakes are also on the menu in many restaurants where this compound is used extensively. Furthermore, people also infuse CBD in chocolates and brownies. Some people also make CBD-infused smoothies.

There’s no escape from the fact that CBD continues to be a major part of many people's lives across the globe. The market for this compound is expected to enter billions in revenue owing to its extensive use and global popularity.

CBD, which is known as cannabidiol in its full form, is extracted from the cannabis plant. Since it’s discovery, it has changed the lives of millions of people across the globe, especially women. There are a vast amount of proven benefits of CBD, which is why thousands of people consume it every day. The traditional practice was to smoke the plant, which is a limited way to experience its full health benefits. Now, there are many other more preferred forms of use for maximum health benefits and zero psychoactive effects.

source

In this article, we will guide you through some incredible benefits of CBD for women. Men and women have different bodies, but since women’s bodies carry the incredible purpose of giving life to a new human being, there are many more changes her body must go through over the course of her lifetime. Keep reading to discover some of the many benefits of CBD for women below.

CBD can manage hormonal imbalances

Hormones are chemical messengers that are responsible for carrying out multiple functions in the body. They are responsible for growth, physical health, and reproduction. The normal routine for the body is to produce hormones at a specified rate, however, as the speed of production increases or decreases, that can have severe effects on the body. It is proven that women go through hormonal imbalances during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. One study concluded that CBD could help in cutting down the number of stress hormones in a woman’s body.

CBD is responsible for healthy digestion

It is important to maintain a healthy digestive system. Though men and women both struggle with digestion issues, the number of women experiencing indigestion issues is more common than men. More than 20% of women are affected by indigestion that plays out in the form of bloating, constipation, and abdominal pain. In a recent study, experts concluded that CBD could help improve digestion in the body and cure severe abdominal pain in women.

CBD is good for skin

Women focus on beauty for much of their lifetime with the condition of their skin traditionally tied to the state of their health and youth. Unfortunately, all over the world, many women suffer from persistent skin issues. More than 9% of the world’s population is affected by acne, with most of them being women. CBD infused creams and lotions are being used by women across the globe because it helps with improving skin tone and treating acne issues.

CBD can maintain cholesterol levels

Cholesterol affects women differently than men because the female sex hormone, estrogen, changes at menopause. At this point, women have the potential risk to develop a change in their cholesterol levels, exposing them to excess cholesterol in the bloodstream. Back in 2011, a study found that CBD can help in changing metabolism-related genes and improving cholesterol levels. Therefore, CBD impresses us by providing another major benefit to a woman’s body.

Final thoughts

CBD has many other incredible health benefits, so this is just scratching the surface. If you are still skeptical about the veracity of CBD as a health supplement, learn more about it online and listen to or read stories of those who have shared their journey with using CBD. It is also good to learn how to take CBD oil properly and to consider all of the different factors that are at play when choosing a product.

CBD flower comes from the industrial hemp plant. It in the very material from which CBD oil and other corresponding products are extracted. Upon separation from the plant, this dried CBD hemp flower bud holds the biggest cannabinoid profile. As a result, you get a hemp flower that’s completely non-psychoactive; meaning you won’t get mild-altering high from its consumption. You can smoke, cook with, consume and do so much more with this herbal offering.

CBD flower is a highly versatile part of the cannabis plant packed with all the essential nutrients including aromatic molecules, therapeutic cannabidiol, terpenes, fatty acids, minerals, proteins, and many other amazing cannabinoids that offer a whole wide range of medicinal benefits.

source

CBD flower buds are supposed to carry 14-20% CBD (Cannabidiol) with almost negligible THC content (carrying as little as 0.3% Delta-9 THC). The fact that it carries such little traces of THC ensures that the user doesn’t get high from its consumption. Since it has a good CBD profile, the very cannabinoid that offers it’s medicinal value is used for fighting inflammation, managing chronic pain, regulating blood pressure as well as managing diabetes and several other chronic ailments. Check out this clinical study performed to establish the relationship between cannabidiol and its potential to cure several mood disorders.

Health Benefits of CBD Hemp Flower

Just like CBD oil, CBD hemp flower bud is supposed to offer several therapeutic effects. Many clinical studies back those claims up. Hemp flower is typically used for alleviating conditions like chronic pain, sleep disorders, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, depression, and even diabetes. While most of these benefits have been shared as anecdotes by users around the globe, many controlled clinical studies performed on animals also confirm the following benefits of CBD hemp flower:

• Anti inflammatory properties that can manage chronic pain

• Potential for neuro-protective properties

• Anxiolytic effects that can help with stress and anxiety

These are just a handful of benefits that people have experienced by smoking CBD flower. However, it’s important to mention that smoking hemp flowers may not be the healthiest way to go about it. Anything other than oxygen is not the best thing for your lungs. While many use it for the mild euphoria and achieve feel-good effects, it’s important to remember that a trade of positive and negative effects may be happening at the same.

In terms of effects, people who prefer CBD buds over oils feel that the effects last longer and are more noticeable. That’s because CO2 extraction processes through which CBD oil is obtained, ends up stripping away many of the natural cannabinoid profiles, thus making the effects more subtle compared to the effects of hemp flower.

The real implication/usage of CBD hemp flower comes from an agricultural prospect where farmers cultivate and process it to extract CBD oil or make salves and isolates.

Is CBD Hemp Flower Legal?

CBD flower that comes from hemp is totally legal in the USA. However, the only requirement is that it must contain less than 0.3% THC by drug weight. In fact the 2018 Farm Bill has legalized production of hemp for commercial purpose. It’s completely legal to grow hemp as an agricultural crop which automatically makes CBD hemp flowers legal too. Many cannabis plants other than hemp (such as marijuana strains) may also yield flower/bud that may be rich in CBD and low in THC levels. But, it’s not necessary that those would be federally legal since they don’t originate from hemp.

Economic Potential for Farmers

Up until now, cultivation, distribution and sale of hemp and hemp products remained a huge challenge in the US market. That’s why there’s still a narrow market for farmers and consumers who like to use hemp flower directly. However, thanks to the recent 2018 Farm Bill that has legalized hemp farming for commercial purpose, things are starting to look up.

The market for hemp and hemp production is beginning to pick-up the pace, but it’s still relatively in the initial phases. Therefore, it may offer lucrative opportunities coupled with favorable conditions for farmers who want to grow and sell hemp, and hemp-derived products.

In case you are contemplating investing in hemp farming either as a farmer, distributor of hemp and hemp extracts (including CBD flower, isolates, oil, etc.) or someone who wants to offer land for hemp production; now would be a good time to make the most of it. CBD has huge number of health benefits.

Final Thoughts

Hemp is definitely emerging as a promising crop both in terms of a lucrative farming option as well as for the therapeutic potential it carries. Hemp flower is just one of the ways in which the country can put this beneficial herb to some excellent use. Although we are a long way away from exploring the cannabis plant to its true potential, we are on to a good start.

---

Disclosure: The content in this article is from a trusted Hello Lovely Living contributor.

Three weeks ago, I was faced with a decision that I wasn’t expecting to make on the spot as I went in for a doctor’s check-up for my Pilonidal cyst that had flared up over several weeks.

A pilonidal cyst that I had acquired more than 10 years ago was now rearing it’s ugly head yet again. This was the third time it had flared up over that timeframe, but I had ultimately learned to live with it up to this point.

What made the difference this time around is that it had grown in size over a decade, and with it now being inflamed and so much larger in size, I knew the time was now to finally do something about it.

If anyone is not familiar with Pilonidal cysts, they aren’t technically cysts as they are so aptly called. They are complex abscesses that can be difficult to heal due to their location on the body. I will not go into detail about it within this post, but I am thinking about sharing my full story once I feel like I am completely healed and recovered from it.

I noticed that I had to take action and see a doctor once the pain and soreness began spreading elsewhere on my body. It was a huge cause for concern because I had never experienced these other symptoms in all my time having it. It was a good thing that I did go in because the doctor immediately advised me to have it opened and drained right then and there or else it would continue to swell in size.

I decided to do the procedure because there was no better time than now, and after doing so much research and reading people’s stories on forums for years, I didn’t want to prolong facing it another day.

It’s been several weeks since I got the procedure done, and so far my body is healing well, but of course, there is still a risk that it will come back and that I would need to undergo a more extensive procedure to remove it completely. Surgery is definitely something I want to avoid at all costs, so I am doing everything in my power to allow myself the rest and time to heal.

Along with caring for an open wound and encouraging drainage, there is a lot of pain that comes with the removal procedure including packing the wound every other day with packing strips to help it heal from the inside out and preventing it from closing. I’ve had to avoid putting any strain on the area, and it’s been difficult to even walk. To relieve the pain, I took pain medication for several days (thankfully I’m off of it now) and I was very careful not to put any sort of pressure on the area.

A package from CBDMEDIC came just in time for some added relief for my sore muscles. As I had mentioned earlier, as a result of my inflammation, I was experiencing muscle aches and pain elsewhere on my body. The tension was concentrated more on the right side of my lower back, butt, and my calves - I know, very strange locations to be experiencing muscle soreness, but I believe it all was tied to the fact that my body was fighting a serious battle!

Since I did receive this package after I had already done my procedure, the muscle soreness had calmed down a lot, but I applied the Back & Neck Pain Relief to the different areas I was still experiencing tenderness for added comfort, and it was soothing and provided a numbing effect.

I have touched on my use of CBD oil products in the past and have done several posts going in depth about it if you would like to learn more about its health benefits. In this case, the hemp seed oil and effective analgesic ingredients like menthol and camphor in CBDMEDIC pain relief products are a safe alternative to reducing inflammation for people who suffer from acute pain.

I do plan on using the Active Sport Pain Relief once I start back on exercising. This experience has really forced me to really take care of my health first and foremost, so exercising and eating well are also at the top of my list. The feeling of being held back from physical ailments became real to me these past few weeks, so I can’t wait to be optimally functioning again.

CBDMEDIC products can be found at your local CVS Pharmacy, and you can check out CBDMEDIC online for detailed information on ingredients and the different products available.

I hope to share my complete Pilonidal journey once I have more answers as to the progress of my healing and the future outlook of this condition. Many people suffer from this condition, and there is a lot of fear tied to it. I hope that my story ends in complete healing. I also hope you find relief and healing in your own personal pain story.

---

This post is sponsored by CBDMEDIC but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

There is so much talk in the health community about buying organic foods, but something that often goes overlooked is the importance of buying organic herbs and spices. Naturally, we would think that replacing our spice cabinet with organic options is no big deal, however, today's post will clear up exactly why it is just as important as any other item in our pantry.

Herbs and spices are a category of grocery items that we buy very rarely, so it's no wonder why they are out of sight out of mind because they are not often on our grocery list. When we do use herbs and spices in our cooking or baking, we typically use them in moderation, so they end up lasting for years - and we keep them around even beyond their shelf life. We don't think about herbs and spices often unless a recipe calls for something we don't have on hand. Another scenario that leads to us purchasing new herbs and spices is when we run out of an item completely, and in rare cases when something has clearly gone rancid.

On top of that, once you do need to replace something, you find that organic herbs and spices are a little more expensive, which can deter you from making that split second decision between the better option. Typically, you will reach for the inorganic option thinking that you are stretching your money and that it doesn't make a huge difference anyway because you don't use much of it.

Considering all of the factors that may be at play in your purchasing decision, I am going to now get into the more pressing concerns that you should consider and that are far more important in deciding whether or not to purchase organic spices, herbs, and seasonings.

What is the purpose of herbs & spices?

---

Spices can be thought of as a garnish or a way to add flavor and aroma to cooking and baking. However, did you know that herbs and spices also have incredible medicinal and health benefits and have been used throughout history for that very purpose? They are also used as ingredients in powerful natural remedies for those who prefer or look to alternative methods of treating health conditions.

The problem with conventional, inorganic herbs and spices

---

Conventional herbs and spices are not going to have the concentrated medicinal and health benefits that you would expect, rather they will contain high concentrations of toxic chemical additives, GMOs, synthetic anti-caking agents such as sodium aluminsilicate, sodium ferrocyanide, calcium silicate or silicon dioxide, pesticides, and more composition-disrupting additives.

Conventional herbs and spices are also grown using fumigation and irradiation practices, which changes the chemical composition of an herb or spice by exposing it to ethylene oxide and radiation to kill off bacteria and other contaminants. This process creates carcinogenic by-products that can increase your exposure to free radical damage.

More reasons to buy organic herbs and spices

---

As mentioned previously, conventional, inorganic herbs and spices are loaded with chemicals by the time they hit your plate, which is more than a reason to stay away from them and switch to organic options. Since conventional farming practices rely on chemical intervention, you expose yourself to a host of issues because you simply do not know the long-term effects of ingesting these chemicals over a lifetime. Over time, you may not think that herbs and spices can make a difference to your health, but considering that you are using these ingredients in your cooking on a daily basis and from different inorganic sources, you are better off removing them completely.

Organic products may cost a bit more than conventional products, but it is worth the investment in your long-term health. Since they do last awhile, you won't have to worry about replacing them at every grocery trip. As a general rule, whole spices will stay fresh for about 4 years, ground spices for about 2 to 3 years and dried herbs for 1 to 3 years. source

What to look for when buying herbs & spices

---

Not all organic herbs and spices are created equal. Here are things to look out for to ensure you are getting the highest quality products.

Always buy organic, No anti-caking agents, and No Irradiation

Buying organic will ensure that the companies you choose are certified with the USDA National Organic Program when producing their products. This means that they are committed to sustainable farming and production processes and responsible action toward their customers’ health and our planet's future. Organic herbs and spices are not irradiated, are not grown with pesticides, genetically engineered ingredients (GMOs), and do not contain synthetic caking agents and chemical additives. You can rest assured that they are held to the highest standards from seed to plate.

Have I replaced all of my herbs and spices?

---

When I left Oklahoma back in October 2017, thankfully that gave me a reason to throw out all of my herbs, spices, and seasonings. I was that type of person that had a mix of inorganic and organic products. I was slowly replacing my collection, so what I would do is purchase an organic product one at a time when I would run out of something. Honestly, I think that doing so is better than nothing, so if you are wanting to make the switch, purchase them as you go and soon you will have a whole collection of organic herbs and spices that you can be proud of.

My herb, spice, and seasoning collection since moving to California is still growing, but I have been very good at purchasing only organic products. However, I still have a long way to go because I have only currently purchased items that I use more frequently.

spicely - featured organic herb, spice, and seasoning blend company

---

An organic herb, spice, and seasoning blend company that I recently discovered is Spicely Organics, and I appreciate how they have such a large selection of products. It can be difficult to find all the herbs and spices that I want in the grocery store (even online) and in various sizes, so I like how Spicely Organics provides so many options to choose from, from small ecoBox sizes (0.4 oz) to bulk options. The ecoBoxes are great for ensuring that you are using your spices up before they expire.

All of their products are free from anti-caking agents and they do not sell any products or use any ingredients that have been sterilized by irradiation or ethylene oxide. They are also very mindful of their packaging by using glass, tin, and ecoBoxes and avoiding use of plastics. Their spices and seasonings also do not contain any salt or sugar, which is great because what you see is what you get without any fillers.

They are also very passionate about where they source their ingredients. In a nutshell, they require that their suppliers avoid forced and child labor, discrimination, unsafe work environments, substandard wages and other unethical practices. Read more about their highest standards of quality and environmental sustainability.

If you are a business and are looking to source organic bulk herbs and spices, they also sell wholesale organic dried herbs as well as wholesale spices. Since they are a direct importer of organic spices and herbs, you can be assured that you are getting wholesale herbs and wholesale spices straight from the source.

Overall, they are a rad natural herb and spice company in my opinion! I recently shared on Instagram how I used their cream of tartar as a natural migraine remedy. It was great knowing that the cream of tartar I was using was organic because it can be difficult to find organic cream of tartar, and heck, I wouldn’t want to be adding more chemicals to my body if my goal was to get rid of a migraine. If you’re interested in that natural migraine remedy, you can read that here. It really works, y’all!

Final Thoughts

---

I hope that this article provided more than enough evidence that now is the time to switch to organic herbs, spices, and seasoning blends. Not only will you be getting quality products, but you will experience higher quality flavors, aromas, and the purest form of the ingredients that you are using in your meals. Small steps do really add up to larger rewards toward our health, lifestyle, and overall wellness.

---

Disclosure: The content in this article is in collaboration with Spicely Organics. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Please see my privacy policy for a complete disclosure.

In 2015, the cannabis market was valued at $90 million. According to Grand View Research Inc, that number will jump to $22 billion within the next year - and a staggering $146.6 billion by 2025. A combination of widespread legalization, significant investment and increased research has resulted in a complete shift in the way consumers look at cannabis.

It’s safe to say that CBD is indeed much more than just another trend. But what does this mean for you? Is there some kind of untapped potential that’s worth making a business venture out of, or is it too late? Let’s take a look at the future of the CBD industry and what has made it such a compelling product.

Image Source

Vast Potential

---

As you may already know, cannabidiol, or CBD for short, is one of the most well-documented compounds of hemp, which is a type of cannabis plant. It is free from tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is what the media and general public usually associate with cannabis due to its psychoactive properties.

A legal limit of 0.3% THC content applies to CBD products in the United States, but most of them contain none at all. As more and more consumers learn this fact, the stigma around cannabis continues to dwindle.

This, combined with an increase in the publication of scientific research around its health benefits, is putting CBD under a positive new light in the eyes of the general public. Its ability to treat an ever-growing list of conditions makes it a compelling health supplement for many people.

This goes a long way in speaking for its potential, as there’s a clear demand for cannabis products. While there are many entrepreneurs who have already capitalized on this, the cannabis industry is far from oversaturated.

Health Benefits

---

To better understand why the demand for CBD products is something that will continue to increase, let’s run through some of its better-known and more well-researched health benefits. Keep in mind that we’re far from done when it comes to researching its effects on the human body, so there’s still much to be unraveled.

So far, we know that CBD oil is capable of reducing our risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, bone disease and much more. Its anti-inflammatory properties help protect our skin and reduce signs of aging, in addition to treating acne. This alone means there’s a significant potential for CBD in the skincare industry.

Another major concern that general consumers have today is stress and anxiety. Popular treatments usually involve the use of pharmaceutical drugs with undesirable side-effects. Numerous studies have shown that CBD oil is highly capable of treating anxiety and stress, but without all the negative side-effects.

There’s also depression, something that over 16 million Americans suffer from. Unsurprisingly, we’ve found that CBD oil positively affects our serotonin levels, thus making it capable of reducing depression and other mood disorders. This list can quite frankly go on forever, as CBD oil is also capable of treating sleep disorders and chronic pain, among others issues.

Cashing in

---

This exhaustive list of health benefits means there are countless people who can benefit from CBD, which is great news for someone who wants to cash in on this industry while it’s still in its relative infancy. If you’re interested, be sure to check out this post on becoming a CBD oil distributor, which explains in further detail what you can expect.

It should be very clear at this point that now is the best time to enter the CBD industry. With enough persistence and a bit of creativity, you can easily become a key player in helping the world enjoy the benefits of cannabis products.

---

Disclosure: The content in this article is from a trusted Hello Lovely Living contributor.

Personally, this is something that I believe comes naturally to some, and for others, it is like a skill that must be developed. Speaking in terms of myself, I am naturally a very reserved person by nature, yet I have learned with age to be more open and vulnerable. However, I have also learned that there are just certain people that you can not open up to in that way and people that you shouldn’t open up to, either. It’s all about knowing who you are safe with and setting boundaries as to who you share your inner self with. 

In this article, a Hello Lovely Living contributor shares some practical advice as to how you can be more open about your thoughts and feelings for overall mental wellness. I think it is so important to let things go, and that includes things that can’t be seen or touched in physical form. We must be very conscious of what we are holding onto because it can harm us down the line if we don’t deal with it in a healthy way.

via Indigo

Sharing your thoughts and feelings helps you to cope with many things in life. When you're too closed off or feel unable to communicate with others, it can cause you to feel isolated and alone. If you struggle to open yourself up to others, it doesn't mean that you don't want to or that you can't benefit from doing so. However, sharing your emotions and opinions when you're not used to it can be hard. It can take a while to learn to open up and share more about yourself, but doing so can benefit you in a number of ways. Here's how you can start to be more open about your thoughts and feelings.

Start with People You Trust

Opening up to people can be hard, but it can be easier if it's with people you know that you can trust. Think about who is able to trust you when they want to talk, and you will probably be able to trust them back. You might have very good friends who will listen to you or relatives who love you. You might even find that many of them have encouraged you to open up more before, but you have been reluctant for various reasons. If you're not sure who would be receptive when you want to talk, simply asking someone if they have time to chat can be helpful.

Discuss Facts, Feelings and Opinions

If you want to be more open, there are lots of things that you can talk about. It's a good idea to talk about a variety of things, rather than just focusing on one area. Not everything must be plain facts or all about your emotions. Sometimes you might be asking for practical advice for a problem, or sometimes you might just want someone to listen to how you feel. Other times it could be a good idea to share your opinion and ask others to offer their own opinion in return.

Be Willing to Listen

When you open up about what you're thinking or feeling, it's not just the talking that's important. It can also help to be willing to listen to what the other person has to say. It helps you to get more from the experience, making it a conversation that you can benefit from. When you talk to others, they can offer you advice and feedback, or just give you their opinion on your situation. Sometimes the best thing that they can do is to offer words of comfort, and listening to them when they comfort you is definitely a benefit of opening up to others.

Find Anonymous Places to Open Up

It can sometimes be a struggle to open yourself up to the people you know and love. You might not want to tell them something that you would rather keep to yourself for a number of reasons. Perhaps you don't want to worry them or you're unsure if they will judge you for what you say. Sharing your thoughts and feelings anonymously can offer another option. You can find anonymous peer support groups online that offer you people to talk to. You can share your thoughts without revealing who you are and get valuable advice from others. It's a great way to connect with others while still maintaining your privacy.

Of course, don’t forget that medical professionals are often bound by discretion unless something you tell them breaks the law or puts someone at risk. As such, finding the right clinic such as the best inpatient mental health facilities can be the best place to start.

Try to Be Honest

If you want to open up more, honesty is key. It's essential to try and be honest about what you want to say, otherwise there's not much point in opening up. Sometimes you can end up being closed off because you you don't want to tell the truth about yourself. But if you open up more about who you are as a person, people can start to trust you more. Avoid telling people what you think they want to hear, which is something many people do when they have a hard time opening up. You have to try to push away your fear of being rejected or judged for what you say, although you should still think carefully about what you choose to say.

Don't Be Afraid to Be Vulnerable

It can be difficult to let other people see a more vulnerable side of you. There can be a lot of fear connected to how they might start seeing you or even if they might use the things that you say against you. But if you want to be more vulnerable, you need to let go of these fears. Talk to people who you know you can trust about more personal things, whether it means talking to a friend about a painful experience or sharing a relatable story with your support group.

Try Talking to a Professional

There are some cases when talking to a professional who can help you with your thoughts and feelings is the best thing to do. If you're struggling to talk to the people you know and love, you might find that a therapist is able to help you. When it's someone you don't know personally who has to keep what you say confidential, it can feel easier to share. Not all therapists will be right for you, but finding someone who you do feel comfortable with can help you. Once you start opening up to them, they could help you to be more open with others.

Choose the Right Things to Share

If you want to be more open, you should think about what sort of things you want to be more open with. Just because you want to share more, it doesn't mean that you have to share everything about yourself. Everyone is allowed to have secrets or keep some things to themselves. Some things also might not be appropriate to share with some people or just might not be necessary to share with others. There are also occasions when you could offend or hurt someone's feelings. Being open and honest doesn't mean having no filter at all, so think about what you want to say before saying it.

May is Mental Health Awareness month, and today I have a guest contributor that shares a few positive effects that meditation can have on your wellbeing. We all deal with mental health challenges at various points in our lives - we are only human.

Acknowledging that we constantly need to be attentive to our mental health is so important in creating healthy patterns that manage the stresses that we experience daily. We can’t simply wait until something happens, we must do our best to prevent ourselves from turning to unhealthy responses.

I hope this sheds some light on a topic that we need more conversations about. 

Source 

Everybody is looking for ways to improve their wellbeing and manage their mental health effectively. Making changes to your lifestyle like exercising more often and improving your diet can be a big help, but one thing that people find makes a big difference is meditation.

In the past, people associated meditation with religious practices and didn’t think it was really for them, but now, more people are starting to introduce meditation sessions to their daily routine because the results are so good.

You can download some great apps like Headspace that will teach you the basics of meditation and if you like, you can pay for different courses that are designed to help with things like stress, anxiety, and depression.

If you haven’t considered it before, these are just some of the ways that meditation can improve your wellbeing in a big way.

Activate Energy Healing

Energy healing is a big part of a lot of alternative medicines and some of the concepts involved can be a big help when you’re trying to improve your wellbeing. Meditation is a big part of that and a lot of people find that they go through a transformation when they start doing it regularly. It’s all about removing blockages in your mind and meditation is one of the best ways to do that. A lot of people that struggle with motivation and self esteem find that energy healing practices, and meditation in particular, can improve their life a lot.

Improve Sleep

Lack of sleep has a big impact on your wellbeing and unfortunately, a lot of us aren’t sleeping as well as we should be. When you’ve got a busy schedule and you’re stressed at work, it’s hard to switch off at night. Often, that’s because people are playing on their phones or worrying about what they have to do at work the next day. But if you meditate for ten minutes before you go to bed, you can learn to switch off and relax properly so you get a good night’s sleep every night.

Manage Pain

We all get aches and pains from time to time and if you’re constantly in pain, it can have a negative impact on your wellbeing. You can always use medication to manage pain but a lot of people don’t like the idea of being reliant on painkillers all of the time. But the good news is, you don’t need to. Meditation has been shown to help people manage their pain naturally without the need for medication.

Fight Depression

So many people struggle with depression and treating it can be very difficult. Medication and talking therapies are both effective ways of dealing with depression but prevention is always the best treatment. There are a lot of different lifestyle changes that you can make to help reduce feelings of depression, but meditation can be one of the best ways. Studies show that meditating regularly will reduce the symptoms of depression and make people less likely to develop depression in the future.

These are just some of the ways that meditation could improve your life and you only need to do it for ten minutes at the end of the day.

Normally, when we’re in the midst of a bad situation, we tend to focus primarily on the negative, which is understandable.

However, in order to actually learn from the bad experience or to move forward from it, we actually have to take control over our thoughts and look at what role we have played in allowing this situation to manifest.

Of course, each experience would be different because we obviously can not control certain things that happen in life. We also have to look at how we could have approached the situation a bit differently.

On the bright side of every negative experience, there’s always, as they say, a light at the end of the tunnel. Everything that happens will never last forever, which can ultimately be a good or bad thing depending on the viewpoint you choose to adopt.

For example, when on vacation, you likely want it to never end, and it seems to be over within the blink of an eye. Likewise, when you're in the middle of a difficult situation such as a breakup, you want the pain to be over as quickly as possible. The bittersweet thing is, nothing lasts forever, and we just have to appreciate each moment for what it is.

With every bad situation, there definitely comes a learning experience, so instead of focusing on the negative and what happened to you, try to develop some good thoughts around the situation, and look at what the positive outcome was - no matter how small.

Realistically, it’s not always easy or possible to be optimistic during difficult times, so if you’re really struggling with your mood and not being able to look at the positive side of things, then you may be dealing with something like anxiety or depression which requires treatment. This can be treated in various ways - through medication, therapy, or even natural and alternative methods like you’ll find at places such as bud express.

Although during the time you are going through something, it may be hard to see when you're in the midst of a bad situation, the answers are definitely there if you look hard enough. It won’t always show itself in the most obvious of ways, but you can be assured that that it will always make itself known over time regardless of you seeing it right away or not.

One way of looking at things (and changing your perspective around the situation that you're in) is to journal and show gratitude for every experience that you have.

For example, you may have a really bad cold or flu that makes you feel lousy and prevents you from doing something that you had planned, so that puts you into even more of a state of feeling sorry for yourself and not feel good in general. Instead of focusing all of your energy and thoughts on your bad feelings, take to your journal and be grateful for the fact that you don't have a serious illness that prevents you from living your life in the long term. This is only a temporary experience in the grand scheme of things, and you will be back to normal soon.

Changing your mindset can really make a huge difference because it will cause you to start seeing the bigger picture, and you’ll be able to differentiate between the things that are important versus the things that are not. 

Don’t get us wrong, there are always going to be days when you feel bad. Nobody's saying that you should put your bad thoughts away or that you should not be allowed to feel down or negative about anything, ever. That’s absolutely not the case, and you wouldn't be human if you didn't have days like that.

The truth is, holding onto negative emotions just does not benefit you in the long run. It’s not healthy to constantly sit and wallow in the negative thoughts and things that are going on around you.  Be grateful for the small things that are good, and you’ll find that you’ll soon start to attract more of those same things that you want to receive into your life.

How do you stay positive throughout life’s challenges?

Did you know that household dust exposes you and your family to a wide range of toxic chemicals from everyday products?

A 2016 first-of-a-kind study on consumer product chemicals found in household dust, led by researches at the George Washington University, found that ninety percent of household dust contains ten harmful chemicals.

In the study, indoor dust consistently contained four classes of harmful chemicals in high amounts: phthalates, phenols, flame retardants, and highly fluorinated chemicals. In total, 45 toxic chemicals that are used in many consumer and household materials were found.

The most frightening fact is that the toxic chemicals that are found in dust pose a much higher risk to young children who are more vulnerable to the effects of the exposure on their developmental health. The chemicals from dust are much more likely to get into their bodies and cause harm.

That is not the only reason to be concerned. Dust is a breeding ground for another threat to your health: dust mites. They are microscopic, multiply very fast, and can be very harmful, especially to those who suffer from asthma and/or allergies.

For these very reasons, dust should be taken very seriously, and your exposure to it within your home should be reduced significantly. 

In this article, a Hello Lovely Living contributor shares tips on how to reduce dust from entering into and accumulating in the home. I, for one, need to apply a few additional measures of dust prevention in my home because I am scared out of my mind about the dangers it poses to my family’s health now. I didn’t know just how serious it was.

I hope you will find these tips helpful as well and find yourself better informed about the dangers dust poses to your health.

Take Off Your Shoes

---

Did you know that 80% of household dust comes from shoes? For this reason, it helps to take your shoes off whenever you enter your home. When you do this, you can stop yourself from dragging dust throughout your home and you can also keep allergens outside where they belong. It also helps to have a shoe basket as well. When you have one of these, you can collect the dust that comes off the shoes and dispose of it accordingly.

Always Dust Your Doormat

---

If you do not have a doormat, then this is another huge mistake. Doormats can help you to trap dust, and they are ideal if you sometimes forget to take your shoes off at the door. It is really important, however that you clean your doormat on a regular basis. To do this, you need to shake it outside, then vacuum over it. When you do this, you can reduce the amount of dust in your home by a significant amount, and you can also keep your home cleaner, too.

Change Your Air Filter Frequently

---

Many manufacturers will tell you to change your air filter every 3 months or so. If you change them more often, then this will really reduce the amount of dust in your home. If you can, use disposable filters as these can be thrown away, and they are much more hygienic. AC repair may also be required, because if your unit is not working, then dust will collect and become stagnant, leading to a build-up of allergens in the home.

Avoid Feather Dusters

---

You may think that feather dusters are retro, but they really are awful. They don’t remove dust at all, in fact, they spread it throughout the home. If you want to stop this from happening, then you need to use the bristle attachment on your vacuum cleaner to dust down your curtains. When you do this, the dust will be removed rather than being transferred from one room to another. If you find that the bristles do not remove all the dust, then a wet towel is the way to go.

Don’t Forget Those Hard-to-Reach Areas

---

Doors and window frames, skirting boards, and underneath the fireplace are all areas that people often forget to dust. If you don’t get these areas, you will find that dust accumulates rather quickly. In addition, some of these areas are prone to humidity, which combined with dust, becomes the perfect breeding ground for mold - yet another health hazard you do not want. You might need to consider investing in mold testing in Indianapolis, IN, and other areas, to ensure that you don't have this problem. In addition, clean these areas at least once a month to prevent dust buildup.

I hope that this article wasn’t too frightening, but sometimes the truth is. To know that we are exposed to so many environmental toxins in our homes is scary. We think of our home as our safe-haven, and we try our best to ensure that it stays that way, but unfortunately there are still so many threats to our health that even we can not avoid, not even in our home.

did you know dust was that serious?

Welcome back to the blog! I am here with another post that will hopefully aid us all in getting a better night’s rest - or any rest for that matter. If there is anyone that has suffered from insomnia, it would be this girl.

I’ll admit, I’m a night owl through and through, and I am one of those creatures that actually doesn’t like going to sleep at night and must force myself to do it. It kinda sounds like we’re talking about my toddler son, Uriah, right now. Ha!

Well, yes, I guess you could compare me to a toddler in that case. I ALSO need to be forced to sleep! I typically love to stay up late and work because it is during this time that I am most able to focus, have a clear head, and be productive without any interruptions. Mix that with being a night owl and a mom who values the freedom that only comes when her toddler is asleep, and there ya have it - an insomniac!

The real fun part in this whole cycle though is when I do want to go to sleep early, and I just can’t. *cue insomnia* It then becomes a game of strategy of how to get to sleep in time to get enough rest before the sun rises - and before Uriah wakes up! I am easily one of those people who can struggle with insomnia if I don’t actively and consistently take steps to prevent it. I am also one of those people who would probably google, “how to go to sleep”. If you clicked on this post, you’re probably one of those people too! Right?

That’s where this post comes in handy. In this post, I will be discussing tips on how to sleep better and prevent insomnia. Not to mention, these tips actually work. Trust me, they do because I’ve tried them! Let’s get started.

These points are mainly steps for breaking the cycle of insomnia, to begin with. For me, it comes down to correcting unhealthy sleep patterns that I have been accustomed to, which is caused by my overall disposition to be more alert and active in the evening hours. I am not 100% perfect when it comes to sleep, but this is what I have learned.

sleep at a decent time / Restart your sleep cycle

The first thing that you must do is restart your body clock or sleep cycle, and by this I mean STOP GOING TO BED LATE! Sorry for the all-caps but I just had to emphasize that. It’s so important to set a schedule that ensures that you are going to bed at a decent time and holding yourself accountable to a consistent and predictable sleep schedule.

Personally, I don’t like schedules, so this has been a tough one for me, but this is really important, and it has helped me so much in my mission to sleep better. I have found that when I sleep a lot earlier, I wake up way more rested and prepared to wake up at an earlier hour versus if I had gone to bed later and woke up later. Even if I had a solid 8 hours of sleep in both cases, I would still wake up feeling not so fully rested on the day I had gone to sleep at a later time.

Get a solid number of hours of sleep consistently

Have you ever experienced getting less sleep - we’re talking 4 hours - only to wake up feeling so vibrant and refreshed? Yeah, it’s crazy, but for some people, less sleep is more. The key here is to get a consistent amount of sleep every night so that your body is not feeling deprived. For some people, 8 hours of sleep is needed. For others, it is 6 or even 10! It just depends on you, so listen to your body and find the optimum number of sleep hours that you feel works best for your body.

For me, I can sometimes do really well with less sleep, but that only lasts so long until I start to feel drained again. I think my optimum sleep hours is 8, but I still need to work on this a bit more because I don’t always get the same amount of sleep every night to accurately determine the exact amount of hours I need. I feel like it just depends, so that’s where it gets tricky.

Create a relaxing sleep environment

I’m sure you’ve heard that the colors in your room directly affect your mood. It is very true, so make sure to be conscious of the way you choose to decorate your bedroom space. Instead of making it busy, keep it simple and as a space that is only used for sleep. Designate TVs to only being in your living spaces such as living room, family room, and areas of entertaining instead of in the bedroom.

One of the most important things you can do is to make sure that you have quality bedding and a premium quality mattress. These days, you can buy a luxury mattress at down-to-earth prices and have it shipped directly to your door. In most cases, you could order a mattress online and even try a mattress for free for several months before you dive in and splurge. Make sure to look at reviews before you make your decision because it will be one of the most important decisions you make in the quality of sleep that you receive for many years to come.

Another important thing is to make sure that it is completely dark and silent when you go to sleep. I have found that when lights are left on or when there is any noise, my body isn’t able to fully rest. It’s as if I am half awake when there is any type of sensory distraction, so I always make sure to turn everything off.

Leave your phone in a different room

I tried this several nights and it was a game changer! Leave your phone to charge in a different room and put it on sleep mode so that it won’t distract or tempt you. I’m telling you, my phone is literally one of the main reasons why I have insomnia on most nights. I often have the intention of going to bed at a decent time, then once I’m in bed and my phone is by my side, I either stay up browsing or pick up my phone after tossing and turning for 30 minutes because I can’t fall asleep. It doesn’t help that all of my best ideas come to me at night and I want to research all of them on my phone at 1 in the morning!

If you want to be a little more extreme, just ban your phone from being in the bedroom. It will do wonders and will solve more of your sleep problems than you know. I am still working on adhering to this self-inflicted policy, but I have tried it, and when I follow this rule, I have the best sleep a girl could ask for.

Get yourself relaxed and in “sleep mode”

Preparing to sleep shouldn’t start when you turn off the lights and lay down on your bed. It should start several hours prior to you getting into bed. This is the time when you will be mentally and physically preparing yourself for rest.

One of the first things that you can do is diffuse some relaxing essential oils like lavender throughout your home. Spray it on your bed sheets, pillows, or mattress or add it to a warm bath. Lavender is an effective natural sleep aid and remedy for insomnia along with chamomile, which is also another good way to get your body relaxed.

Prepare some chamomile tea and be amazed at how sleepy this gets you. I’m actually getting sleepy just thinking about it. I love chamomile tea! If you’ve ever tried Sleepytime Tea, well, chamomile is the active ingredient, and I grew up on that stuff as a child. My mom used to give it to us all the time to get us tired! They even now have Sleepytime Extra, which I just discovered.

Instilling better sleep habits for your children is essential as well in your quest for better sleep. By creating healthy sleep patterns and habits for your children, you will be able to effectively create a peaceful nighttime routine and setting so that you can look forward to your personal downtime every evening. You will avoid the bedtime stress that often comes with getting children settled in so that your family evenings can be more peaceful.

Magnesium is another amazing way to get your body ready for a restful sleep. It is known as the calming mineral, so it will help relieve any tension or stress within the body and mind. Magnesium can be found in different foods, but I prefer to just take them in pill form.

I have also found that CBD oil works amazing for insomnia. Whenever I have taken it, it gets me drowsy, and I have had the absolute best sleep without any interruptions. I have several articles on my experience using CBD oil, so make sure to check those out for its other benefits as well. If you suffer from other conditions that make it difficult to sleep, exploring natural options is worth a try.

Avoid caffeine and sugar throughout the day

If you want to do yourself a huge favor, just stay away from caffeine and sugar altogether. However, if you are like me and love green tea and need to stay alive during the day, then just drink that and stay away from coffee. Sorry, coffee lovers! The reason I say green tea is okay is because you won’t crash from it as you would with coffee. You will still be able to sleep, but of course, the best thing would be to give up any type of caffeine for the best results.

If you are still wanting caffeine alternatives, the best alternative to caffeine would be taking a daily Vitamin B complex. It works so amazingly well to boost energy levels, but naturally. A daily multivitamin can also do the trick. If you are one of the brave ones, try this apple cider vinegar drink. It is also a natural energy booster that I promise you works great when taken in the morning instead of coffee.

Takeaways

Well, that is it for now! I have a lot more to say on this topic, so I will be back again on the topic of sleep in future posts. I hope that these simple tips offer some very helpful ways that you can apply to help prevent insomnia and help you sleep better. Make sure to share your response to the question below in the comments!

Do you have any sleep tips? Let us know in the comments.

Anxiety is one of those words that I feel like I am not allowed to use unless I’m “officially” diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, but I don’t believe that I should ever feel forced to place myself into a box - ever.  I know my body, and I know what I feel, so I can say that I do experience anxiety on varying levels. I have anxiety - not because a doctor told me, but because I live in this body and know what I feel. I’m not saying that I always have anxiety, but I do experience it more often at this particular time in my life, which is why it has come to my attention and why I am addressing it and giving it light.

In this article, I’ll just be sharing little pieces of what I’ve been going through for the past year and a half. This is my experience, and I know myself well enough to say that I, at times, have no idea why or how I’m feeling the way I do. I am just trying to understand myself more, and I always listen to my body and what it is trying to tell me, so this is serious business to me. Obviously, there is something wrong, so I am learning how to respond to things in a positive way so that it gets better instead of worse.

To give you some context, I experienced some very life-altering events in 2017, and I have basically been in fight-or-flight mode since. Side note: I just realized through writing that statement that I can say that I’ve felt like I’ve been in fight-or-flight mode for a great part of my life. I’ve always been anxious about the potential of fight-or-flight, so it is in my nature to want to go, go, go or anticipate that needing to happen at any given time. Wow - did I just have a revelation just now. I think I just did.

When you are placed in survival mode, I guess your body just kicks into overdrive and you have no choice but to replace fear with action. That has basically been my life this past year and a half. There is literally no time to cry or to be weak, but the truth is, I pride myself in how soft I can become, so this takes a lot out of me. I guess this is why the anxiousness has been more apparent. There is literally no moment for me to let my guard down, so I am constantly in an anxious state.

Imagine a car that is in 3rd gear when it only needs to be in 1st. Well, if you’ve ever driven stick, you’d know that this puts extreme pressure on the engine, and it does not feel good at all. It is actually scary. You must quickly switch back to 1st gear for all to be good and for your engine not to explode! That is literally how I feel. My body is in a constant state of overdrive, and it gets draining. I DO feel like I need to explode sometimes. It is a feeling that you can do everything in the world to try to settle and put yourself at ease, but you just can’t.

Now that I am more in tune with my body relating to anxiety, I can pinpoint when I am experiencing it. I feel like I need to do something immediately. I get antsy and restless. When I start to notice it, I truly do not know what to do with myself. I try and try to fill the space with activity or lack of, but it just does not make it any better. I can’t breathe well. I can’t think logically. I can’t seem to calm myself. I can’t sleep at night. All I can think about is what I need to do - next.

When I first started dealing with these symptoms, I just turned to drinking in the evening to put myself at ease, but then I noticed that it became a cycle whereas I would get anxious the next time around simply by thinking about alcohol. I was pairing my anxiety with alcohol, so it kind of became a trigger for it in my mind. So weird to say that, but that’s what I think happened.

I decided that I wasn’t going to continue that cycle, so I tried not to turn to alcohol when I would feel anxiety. I started to do such things as diffusing lavender before bed, which helped tremendously. Drinking tea is another thing that has always calmed me. I also began to drink less coffee and lessen any caffeine intake and try to sleep at an earlier hour or at least try to do so more nights during the week.

When I identified the triggers, I was able to limit feelings of anxiety a lot. I also turned to CBD oil, a natural treatment and prevention for anxiety. After my 4-part series on CBD oil, I learned so many positive uses for CBD oil, so I made the choice to take that next step. I knew about the benefits of CBD oil for anxiety, so I chose not to sit on that knowledge. I wanted to experience it for myself.

Thanks to my BFF, I got a special Christmas gift because I had told her that I had wanted to try it out. Since we are literally the epitome of #SAME #BFFGOALS, we both had been looking into it prior to us even mentioning it to each other, so it was so nice to have someone to talk to about it. She was able to encourage me based on her experience, and since it was all positive, I felt that much more at ease.

I decided to go with a 1:1 tincture in a peppermint flavor, which is basically an even ratio of CBD oil to THC liquid drops placed under the tongue for maximum absorption. I wasn’t sure what it would taste like, but it tasted so good. I actually love the taste. It did take a while to kick in, but after an hour or so, and I was able to experience the benefits thereafter for about 4-6 hours. I have found it to be very calming, and it definitely helps me to sleep well. I literally sleep like a baby and actually get drowsy, which is a feeling I so miss!

The reason why I chose a 1:1 tincture was because I did want to go with something that would immediately provide relief when I am experiencing anxiety and give me that euphoric feeling as well. I do want to try a straight up CBD oil blend next, so that is what I will likely purchase online or at a local dispensary. I’d like to buy CBD gummies as well because they are a convenient way to take it. The reason why I’d like to try 100% CBD oil is because the THC content is not always necessary, even at a 1:1 ratio. I would rather have both on hand so that I could take the 100% CBD oil without having to experience any psychoactive effects. It is definitely a choice that is totally mine to make, and with so many options available, I feel free to find what works best for me.

One thing that I noticed after taking CBD oil, and it’s only been a month, is that my anxiety is less frequent. I have not really had extreme episodes that lasted for days since taking it. I think I’ve taken my CBD drops a total of four times, but I already have been seeing a huge difference in how much anxiety I experience. I am less worried, more at ease, and generally eager about my days and less anxious about the the day-to-day stresses.

As of now, I do plan to continue this method of anxiety prevention and treatment. It’s a natural alternative that is proving to be promising, so I am very happy about it so far. As you may or may not know, I am a huge proponent of going the natural route. I am also an advocate of awareness and being in control of your health, which is why I decided to share my story. If you are curious about CBD oil, I highly suggest you check out my 4-part series on CBD oil and learn more about it. I also recommend you research everything for yourself first, find the answers to all of your questions, and look for the best products and dispensaries.

Things are rapidly changing for the cannabis industry, and it is not like it was nor are people naive to its health benefits. People are educating themselves, building awareness, and breaking stereotypes. I am a firm believer in education and taking it upon yourself to not be influenced by external sources, but by taking on an introspective reasoning and finding the truth for yourself. A few years ago, I would not have said that I would be exploring this industry, but that is what growth is about. It is there for you to attain if you leave room for your ideas to be challenged and for your perspectives to mature so that you can become your best self. I am not the same person I was yesterday, and I am proud of that.

That is it for now! I hope you enjoyed that little glimpse into a bit of a more personal side to my life. It is not easy to share my struggles, but if I can help someone, then it is all worth being vulnerable. I hope you find some useful information in this article. If you should have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below, or simply email or DM me on social media.

how do you cope with anxiety?

---

Today, I’m sharing one of my favorite meals to eat for breakfast. It’s healthy and easy to make, and if I could have this for breakfast every day, I would! I typically use kang kung (water spinach) with this recipe, but when it is unavailable, I like to use yu choy. Chinese vegetables are so delicious! I highly recommend you pick some up the next time you are at an asian market.

If you haven’t had yu choy yet, it has a mild flavor, so it soaks in all the flavors of a dish really well. Typically, I stick to a few main ingredients when I season asian vegetables. The ingredients in this recipe are what I use for literally all of my vegetable dishes. You can use the same ingredients to experiment with other vegetables as well.

Now, let’s get into the recipe! Watch the full video below first, then refer to the specific measurements and ingredients within this article. Happy cooking!

Stir Fry Yu Choy & Eggs

Stina Abion | Hello Lovely Living
January 15, 2019



Servings: 1 serving
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 5 mins
Total time: 10 mins

Ingredients

• 6 stalks yu choy
• 2 eggs
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 stalks green onion
• 2 Tbsp yellow onions
• 2 Tbsp fried shallots
• 1 tsp chicken bouillon
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 2 Tbsp water
• garlic powder
• black pepper

Instructions

1. Heat wok or skillet on high. Add 1 Tbsp butter to pan, and add garlic, onions, and green onions. Saute for a minute until transparent and slightly golden on the edges.
2. Add vegetables and water, then stir fry for several minutes. Add garlic powder, black pepper, and fried shallots. Stir fry until vegetables are a bright green and slightly cooked through until crisp, but not overcooked. Remove from heat, and set aside.
3. With the same pan, add 1 Tbsp butter and pour in scrambled eggs. Lightly move eggs around until cooked through, but not overcooked.
4. Assemble plate with vegetables and eggs, and enjoy!

Notes

• Substitute yu choy with other vegetables such as kang kung (water spinach), bok choy, or other vegetables of choice.

What is your go-to healthy breakfast?

This series started out with me being curious - and rightfully so! With so many talks about the benefits surrounding CBD oil, I just had to learn about it and share those findings with you all. I’m all for discovering new things, which includes things that will improve my quality of life and wellbeing. In my search for truth, I learned a ton of things that really opened my eyes to a whole new world - literally. In the final part of this series, I will be sharing a few of my final thoughts about CBD oil.

---

what i learned

my main takeaways about cbd oil

---

Prior to doing this series, I was very curious about CBD oil. Simply put, I did not know that there was so much to learn about the topic and that I was highly under-informed to say the least. Here is a list of things that I learned that made a huge impact on how I viewed the CBD oil industry as a whole:

CBD oil has an outrageous amount of health benefits

In part 1-3 of this series, I talked about the many benefits of CBD oil and Hemp Seed Oil. Of those benefits, the main ones that caught my attention and that I believe would particularly benefit me are in treating the following:

• migraines

• insomnia

• nausea (caused by migraines)

• acne

• stress

• anxiety

cbd oil is legal and safe

Anyone can buy CBD oil online, and it is legal and regulated across the 50 states. The World Health Organization concluded that it is not harmful in 2017.

CBD oil will not get you high

Little did I know that CBD oil actually had a purpose - and it was not to get high. If you read Part 1 in this series, I explained that CBD oil contains less than 0.3% of THC, which is essentially 0% in terms of it ever having the ability to produce a high whatsoever.

CBD oil is made from industrial hemp and not marijuana

Hemp and marijuana are essentially variants of the same plant, cannabis sativa, but they have very different purposes and composition. CBD oil is produced from industrial hemp, which has high levels of CBD. In contrast, marijuana is primarily produced for its high levels of THC content. An easy way to look at it is hemp = CBD and marijuana = THC

CBD oil has many uses and comes in different products

There are so many ways to take advantage of the benefits of CBD oil. It can be vaped, applied topically through various skincare products, taken orally using MedsBiotech CBD oil in the form of CBD capsules, various edibles such as gummies, chocolate, cake pops, dabs, drops, and drinks. I’m sure there is more out there too! CBD oil has many benefits, but specifically, CBD for anxiety is one of its common uses.

---

the conclusion

Will I be trying CBD Oil and other hemp products?

---

I wouldn’t have imagined that I would ever venture into this category of products or even consider using them. The truth is, I was not educated about the properties, uses, and benefits of hemp products, so I really was naive in my thoughts about them. It took me so long to look into it, but here we are, and I learned so much. I can honestly say that my views have expanded and yes, I definitely would like to try hemp products in the near future. Here is a list of hemp products that I would like to venture into trying and experiencing the benefits for myself:

• Flavored CBD vape oil

• Hemp Skincare

• Edibles (gummies)

• Hemp seeds

As a huge supporter of going the natural route in terms of treating illness and health concerns, I believe that CBD oil and hemp products are just as good as any other natural products on the market. All natural products have their specific uses and benefits, so why not explore and enjoy them if you choose? It feels so good to know what you’re putting in your body, and it is even more fulfilling when you are choosing products in a conscious way. When you know what specific products do for your body, you can listen to your body and determine what is best for you at that particular time.

As always, treating the underlying cause of the issue is even more important, in my opinion. Symptoms are usually a result of a deeper-rooted issue, so try to listen to your body and identify what it is trying to tell you. When the body responds in illness, your body is saying, hey, pay attention to me! I believe that the body has the ability to heal itself with the proper care that we give it. Of course, natural products will always be the better option when dealing with health concerns that traditionally require over-the-counter or prescription medications.

Many people are recognizing that there are so many natural alternatives available, which is amazing because people are becoming more educated about their options. I remember when I first started learning about natural remedies and natural products - I felt like an alien venturing into some far off land because it was a new concept that I had to prove to people. At the time, I was living on Guam and found myself dealing with many health problems. I decided to take control of my health by doing research on natural ways to heal my body. That was the start of my whole wellness journey, which is an endless pursuit because I’m always learning something new, and there’s always room for growth. I am glad that I added all of this information to my “farmacy” as I like to call it. Nature is so abundant and amazing, and I believe that so many answers to our problems can be found in it.

Thank you for tuning into this series, and if you have not already, make sure to go back and read Parts 1-4. This will seriously expose you to some new ideas about a wonderful plant that has so many amazing benefits. I learned so much from this series, and I hope you did to. Are there any other questions that you’d like answered? Comment them below, and I will do my best to answer them. I’d also love to hear about your thoughts about the different CBD and hemp options that I shared, and if you’ve had any experience using them, please share that too.

are you interested in trying hemp products?

---

Disclosure: This post is purely from my personal findings and for informational purposes only, not to be construed as medical advice. Please seek medical advice from a licensed health practitioner. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Please see my privacy policy for a complete disclosure.

When I found out that pets can also benefit from CBD oil, I was shook. I mean, learning about CBD oil to begin with has been an eye-opener. It’s been a while since I had a pet, but I’ve always loved animals and had a special love for dogs and birds. I have so many great memories growing up with a Boston Bull Terrier as our family dog. To this day, they are my breed of choice simply because they remind me of my childhood and are just the most amazing dogs I know. In Part 3 of this series, I will be focusing on our furry friends and how CBD oil can benefit them.

---

separation anxiety in dogs

is it that serious?

---

If you are a dog owner, you know that the separation anxiety in dogs is real. I remember coming home to my dog, Ginny, and she would always welcome us with a catastrophic scene to enjoy. She would tear up the bathroom and leave it covered with slobber and drool. I’m not sure how such a tiny dog could do that, but she did, haha! Each time we were away from her, I’m sure she was a huge ball of stress. I would always feel so bad when we would come home to her seeing that she was stressed, yet excited at the same time. She would do this classic ballerina twirl that I will never forget, which showed how excited and anxious she was for us to be home. She did not like to be alone at all.

The severity of separation anxiety in dogs will vary with each pet, and the symptoms of that anxiety will also vary. Some dogs are extremely attached to their owners, so being away from them causes certain destructive and unhealthy behaviors that I will discuss next. It can become a serious issue if the pet is in constant distress each time they are separated from their owner. If the underlying cause of the symptoms can be treated and would promote a healthier environment for both the owner and dog, then that will improve the quality of life for both. Not only is stress not good for pets and humans, but it can affect that special bond as well.

---

Symptoms caused by separation anxiety in dogs

How can I tell if my dog suffers from separation anxiety?

---

Knowing the signs and symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs is important in deciding if your dog needs treatment. If there is a way that we can help our furry pals and in a natural way, why not, right? There are a few things to look out for when identifying if your dog is behaving in a way that is not normal and apart from them just knowing what the rules are or being a normal fun-loving dog.

Instinctively, you will know if your dog’s behavior is in response to the distress of being apart from you or if he or she is just acting out normal pup behavior. The difference will be if you notice things in excess such as barking and howling that shows aggression or irritation in response to different stimuli. Hyperactivity may be a cause for concern too, especially if it results in aggressive behaviors. Here is a quick list of symptoms that can be used to identify separation anxiety in dogs:

• Excessive soiling, salivation, drooling, or panting

• Restlessness and intense pacing back and forth

• Excessively scratching themselves or walls and doors

• Digging behavior or attempting escape from room or crate

• Vomiting

• Hyperactivity or panicked behaviors

• Aggression toward animals or people

• Whining, crying, shaking, tail tucked, or trembling

• Following you around the house and not wanting to leave your side

---

general symptoms of anxiety in dogs

what are other behaviors that i should look out for?

---

There are other forms of anxiety that dogs may display and affect their ability to respond to their environment in a healthy way. Did you know that dogs can also suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? Rescue dogs can exhibit symptoms of separation anxiety due to their previous negative experiences, which can impact them severely. Dogs can also develop obsessive  traits that cause them to fixate on a particular stimulus making them exhibit hyperactive behaviors every time they are exposed to it. Here is another list of common symptoms of anxiety in dogs:

• Barking at cars, people, or other animals

• Anxiousness when riding in cars or during travel

• Anxiousness when being exposed to new people or places

• Fearfulness caused by PTSD

• Anxiousness in response to fireworks or storms

• Sensitivity to common noises

---

cbd oil treatment for anxiety in dogs

how can i treat my dog that suffers from anxiety?

---

Dogs have similar natural cannabinoid receptors in the endocannabinoid system as humans, which is involves the physiological processes such as appetite, pain sensation, mood, and memory. This means that they have a similar response to such products as CBD oil, which is an effective treatment for anxiety in humans. What is CBD oil? If you have not read Part 1 of this series yet, I highly encourage you to read that first as it will explain what CBD oil is, it’s benefits, and other common questions in greater detail.

To sum it up, CBD oil is made from the hemp plant and contains high levels of CBD, a cannabinoid that essentially works with the body’s natural endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for various chemical processes within the body. CBD oil is an effective treatment for dogs that suffer from separation anxiety and other forms of anxiety due to it's calming and anti-anxiety effects. CBD oil works by enhancing the body’s natural ability to stabilize mood by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system to calm and soothe anxiety. CBD oil can correct many of the behaviors that dogs exhibit in response to stress or anxiety.

CBD for dogs is available in drop form and can be added to their food, treats, or water 1-2 times a day depending on their condition. I know I only covered dogs in this article, but CBD for pets is also available, which means your cats can enjoy the benefits of CBD oil too. Just make sure that you check the label to ensure that it is specific to the animal that you are purchasing it for since they may be made for either dogs or cats and not both. You can also buy CBD oil for pets in the form of treats, and they come in various flavors that they will love.

---

thoughts

does cbd oil for dogs work and is it effective?

---

If you do an online search for testimonials of CBD oil being used for dogs exhibiting anxiety, there are a lot of positive responses out there. It was interesting reading some of the testimonials and how people have had much success with treating their dogs with CBD oil. I really did not know how popular it was until now, but from what I can tell you, it is a very effective treatment that dog owners are currently raving about. So, would I use CBD oil if I had a dog that suffered from anxiety? In Part 4 of this series, I am spilling all of my final thoughts and many takeaways. I will also be answering the question of whether or not I will be trying out CBD oil products for myself. Stay tuned for Part 4, which is the last in this series.

does your dog suffer from anxiety and what are his/her symptoms?

---

Disclosure: This post is purely from my personal findings and for informational purposes only, not to be construed as medical advice. Please seek medical advice from a licensed health practitioner. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Please see my privacy policy for a complete disclosure.

In Part 1 of this series, I talked about CBD oil and answered the main questions that I was curious about. In Part 2, I will be talking about hemp seed oil. Many people think that hemp and CBD oil are the same thing - is this true? I will be breaking everything down for you. I am excited about this topic because skincare is one of my most loved things to learn about and to practice. I am always wanting to learn and share more about natural skincare products, so let’s get into it!

---

Hemp seed oil vs CBD oil

What’s the difference?

---

Is there a difference between hemp seed oil and CBD oil? The answer is yes! It’s easy to get confused about the many terms that are circulating around when referring to cannabis in general. It’s also common to assume that since it comes from the same plant, it’s the same thing. However, that is not true. As I showed you in Part 1 of this series - What Is CBD Oil? Is CBD The Same As THC? + Other Questions Answered - there are many important distinctions that need to be made.

When referring to hemp seed oil, many confuse it as being one and the same with CBD oil, and phrases such as hemp oil and cannabis oil also add to the confusion. Both hemp seed oil and CBD oil are extracted from industrial hemp, but in different ways. Hemp seed oil is extracted from the seeds of the plant, and CBD oil is extracted from the flowers, leaves, and stalks (whole plant). Both hemp seed oil and CBD oil contain trace amounts of THC, which I explained is the effect of using industrial hemp to produce these oils instead of cannabis. Unlike cannabis, hemp contains trace amounts of THC. Compared with CBD oil which contains up to 15% of CBD, hemp seed oil does not contain CBD.

Hemp seed oil contains high levels of fatty acids such as omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3) are found in a ratio of 3:1, which is believed to be the optimal ratio. Hemp seed oil also contains high levels of vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant. It can contain up to 100-150g of vitamin E per 100g of hemp seed oil. It is also the only edible oil that contains greater than 80% of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which makes it a very nutritious and beneficial oil when used in both oral and topical applications.

To understand the purpose of CBD oil, make sure to check out Part 1 of this series where I dive more in depth into its uses and benefits.

---

hemp seed oil for skin

What are the benefits of hemp seed oil?

---

Since hemp seed oil is so rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, Linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3), and Vitamin E, and other beneficial nutrients, it makes it a perfect candidate for skincare products. Here is a list of hemp skincare benefits:

• Hemp seed oil is an effective hydrator meaning it actually puts moisture into the skin as opposed to just laying on the surface of the skin and only keeping moisture in like typical moisturizers do

• Hemp seed oil is non-comedogenic, which means it won’t clog pores. The fats or lipids in the oil are similar to that found in the skin, so it regulates the skin’s oil production

• Hemp seed oil increases the elasticity of the skin by locking moisture into the skin, so it can also be used in the prevention and treatment of stretch marks

• Hemp seed oil is an effective anti-aging treatment due to its high antioxidant protection, which fights free radicals that can damage skin cells

• Hemp seed oil is a skin plumper, so it fills skin with moisture and stimulates the natural production of collagen, which prevents fine lines and wrinkles

• Hemp seed oil regenerates the hydrolipidic layer of the skin by preventing it from dehydrating and providing a natural skin barrier that protects it from irritants and environmental stresses

• Vitamin E protects protects against oxidative damage and provides a protective shield for the skin in the form of antioxidants

• In addition to the nutritional makeup mentioned previously, hemp seed oil also contains vitamin a, potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, calcium, and phosphorus, which when taken as a dietary supplement, nourishes the body from the inside out providing antioxidant, hormone regulating, and anti-inflammatory properties

• Hemp seed oil is an effective acne prevention and control method due to its anti-inflammatory properties, which alleviates redness. Its fatty acid content makes it a perfect oil for preventing dry skin without clogging pores

• Due it its gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) content, which is an anti-inflammatory, hemp seed oil is also an effective treatment for healing the skin and treating other skin inflammatory conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis

---

hemp skincare products

what products are available?

---

When looking for hemp skincare products, look for products that contain non-GMO, organic hemp seed oil and that are eco-farmed following ecologically friendly processes. Also make sure that the company is committed to ensuring the best extraction process to retain all of the beneficial molecules of the plant and that there are no synthetics contained in the product.

You can find various hemp skincare products available such as hemp lotions, hemp creams, hemp scrubs, hemp masks, hemp body butters, hemp serums and hemp moisturizers, hemp body sprays, hemp fragrances, and even oral supplements. Each will serve a particular purpose so that you can enjoy the benefits of hemp seed oil in various skincare applications.

---

thoughts

will i be using hemp seed oil for skincare?

---

I am amazed about the many benefits of hemp seed oil for the skin, and I feel like I have been missing out, but is it too good to be true? Will I be trying out skincare products that contain organic hemp seed oil? We shall find out in Part 4 of this series! I am also curious about eating hemp seeds now, because if applying it to the skin is good, imagine what it can do from the inside out? I have heard that it contains loads of protein - and we can’t forget about those good omega fats that it contains. Those do wonders for the body. I have seen it in stores and heard about many people using hemp seeds in smoothies and as a topping for fruit bowls and things like that, but I have never tried it out. I heard it has a nutty flavor, which is maybe the reason I am thinking about trying it out. My research continues in this series, so I still have some things to learn. I hope you are following along because in Part 3, I will be talking about CBD oil and its use in treating dogs that suffer from separation anxiety. Follow along for more!

are you also shook about the many skincare benefits of hemp seed oil?

---

Disclosure: This post is purely from my personal findings and for informational purposes only, not to be construed as medical advice. Please seek medical advice from a licensed health practitioner. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Please see my privacy policy for a complete disclosure.

I am back with a wellness topic because it is my goal to get back to one of my passions, which is learning and sharing about natural and holistic forms of self-care. I will be doing a 4-part series on CBD oil where I explore its many uses, benefits, and forms it is available in. I find it fascinating how there are still so many natural products out there to learn about. CBD oil is a product that still has many misconceptions surrounding it due to its relationship with cannabis. It is an emerging product that many people still do not completely understand, including myself - until now.

My curiosity about CBD oil came to be because I noticed that it is becoming more commonly used and available in many different forms and is a part of an industry that is growing exponentially. I had no prior knowledge about CBD oil other than knowing that it had a direct relationship with cannabis, so I had many questions and pre-existing views on the topic that required me to become more educated about it.

So, here we are. I am going to break it all down and answer all of the questions that I was curious about. I will demystify what there is to know about CBD oil and its various products. I hope that you learn something new from this series! At the end of this 4-part series, I will share my final thoughts and share whether or not I will be trying out hemp products for myself!

one |

what does CBD stand for? what is cbd oil?

---

CBD stands for cannabidiol and is a cannabinoid that is naturally produced by the hemp and cannabis plant. It comprises of up to 40% of the hemp plant. CBD oil is made from the flowers, leaves, and stalks of industrial hemp. Think of cannabidiol as the short, tiny, hair-like structures that grow on the plant and cannabinoids as the chemicals that are unique to it. There are 480 natural components found within the cannabis sativa plant, 66 of which have been classified as cannabinoids. These chemicals react with specific receptors located in the central nervous system of the user.

---

two |

is CBD the same as THC? Is CBD oil legal?

---

Like CBD, THC is a cannabinoid. They both have the exact same molecular structure, but their atoms are arranged differently, which causes your body to respond differently to each. Despite their similarities, CBD and THC don’t have the same psychoactive effects. Essentially, you will not get “high” off of CBD oil because it is a non-psychoactive compound. It can even decrease the psychoactive effects of THC.

Another thing worth noting is that CBD oil is made from industrial hemp, not to be confused with cannabis otherwise known as marijuana. Hemp and marijuana come from the same plant family, cannabis sativa, but are not the same and have very specific differences. Industrial hemp has a negligible THC content of 0.3% compared with marijuana, which has anywhere from 5-20% or 20-30% in premium batches. For this very reason, industrial hemp is used to produce CBD oil due to its high CBD content and next to nothing THC content. It is also why CBD oil is legal. Industrial hemp is heavily regulated and does not contain psychoactive properties like marijuana does.

---

three |

Is CBD oil addictive?  is cbd oil safe?

---

To put it plain and simple, no, CBD oil is not addictive, and neither is it dangerous. This comes from a 27-page report by the World Health Organization (WHO) which studied many aspects of CBD, including its potential for abuse and addictiveness.

“An orally administered dose of 600mg of CBD did not differ from placebo on the scales of the Addiction Research Centre Inventory,” it continued, “a 16 item Visual Analogue Mood Scale, subjective level of intoxication or psychotic symptoms.”

In conclusion, there were no negative findings on CBD use in the report, which I will touch on later.

---

four |

What are CBD oil benefits?

---

CBD oil continues to increase in popularity due to its numerous health benefits. Here is a list of CBD oil benefits that are emerging:

• Natural chronic pain relief and anti-inflammatory treatment

• Migraine relief

• Aids smokers in curbing nicotine cravings and smoking less

• Substance abuse treatment

  • Prevents or reduces withdrawal symptoms in those suffering from substance abuse

• Effective treatment for epilepsy according to 2017 World Health Organization (WHO) study

  • Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) involving different kinds of seizures

  • Dravet syndrome (DS), a rare genetic condition that causes frequent, fever-related seizures in the first year of life

• May provide treatment for other neurological complications linked to epilepsy such as neurodegeneration, neuronal injury, and psychiatric diseases

  • Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease by slowing its progression and aiding with and preventing cognitive decline

• Antipsychotic treatment for psychosis or mental disorders such as schizophrenia

• Alleviates cancer-related symptoms caused by chemotherapy

  • Nausea and vomiting relief

• Cancer-fighting properties

  • Suppresses growth of cancer cells

  • Anti-tumor effects by preventing the spread of cancer

• Reduces anxiety-related conditions - post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

• Treatment for depression through antidepressant-like effects and ability to influence serotonin responses

• Treatment for insomnia

• Eases inflammation and slows down or prevents the development of Type 1 Diabetes

• Eases inflammation and reduces sebum production that causes acne

• Heart-health benefits

  • Reduces high blood pressure

  • Stress-reducing properties

---

five |

How To Use CBD oil and cbd Vape Oil and Who sells CBD oil near me?

---

CBD comes in a variety of products, but the ones I will be discussing in part 1 of this series are CBD oil and CBD vape oil. CBD oils can be used as CBD oral drops (CBD tincture), in vape liquid or topically to name a few. CBD oil comes in all kinds of flavors - peach, watermelon, strawberry, and berry cotton candy among others. You can purchase travel-sized CBD-droppers for an on-the-go daily single usage, and CBD oral drops can simply be placed under the tongue for absorption. CBD vape oil consists of various vapor liquids that can be vaped via vape pens, e-cigarettes or vaporizers. CBD vape oils also come in a variety of flavors. Vaping pens contain flavored e-liquid that comes charged up and ready to go, which is a convenient and disposable option.

In my opinion, the easiest way to find out who sells CBD oil is to do an online search so you are able to price check and have access to a greater variety of products at competitive prices. There are many CBD oil companies out there, but I highly encourage you to do your research first about the quality of the product that you are purchasing. I highly recommend checking out Diamond CBD because I found their products to be non-GMO, organically grown and made in the US, and produced with federally-legal CBD. They use a supercritical CO2 extraction method to obtain CBD oil, which is the highest standard in the industry, and their processes ensure the quality and efficacy of the product. They also have a large selection of other CBD products such as edibles, drinks, dabs, creams, and pet-friendly options as well that may be of interest to you.

---

thoughts |

will i be using CBD oil?

---

I have to say, I learned so much about this topic, and it actually opened up my eyes to a topic that I had misconceptions about. All I can say is that there is always something new to learn. Now, the question is, will I be trying out CBD oil for myself? The answer is you’ll have to wait until Part 4 of this series to find out! I am still curious to see what else I will learn about CBD oil. I believe that if it is natural and can improve my quality of life, why not learn about it? If I happen to benefit from my findings, then that’s a win for me - I discovered something new and another natural option in my self-care journey. If that should lead me to using or not using the product, at least I educated myself about it first and know all of the ins and outs of it. I encourage you to do the same!

If you’d like to learn even more about CBD oil, specifically the difference between CBD and THC, check out the I'm CBD, I'm THC campaign. I thought it was so funny and think you’d enjoy it. Also, go to Part 2 of this series where I’ll be talking about hemp seed oil for skincare.

Do you have any questions about CBD oil?

---

Disclosure: This post is purely from my personal findings and for informational purposes only, not to be construed as medical advice. Please seek medical advice from a licensed health practitioner. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Please see my privacy policy for a complete disclosure.