The New Year is a time for fresh starts, which inevitably leads many of us to think about healthy lifestyle changes. From losing weight to finally kicking bad habits, these are just some of the ways that we promise we’ll improve from the 1st January every year. The habit of setting New Year’s Resolutions is more common with women than with men. And according to a 2020 study, the most common New Year’s Resolutions are related to increasing exercise, saving money and eating healthier. If you’re considering making sweeping changes to your lifestyle in the New Year, you’ll be far more likely to succeed in your goals if you prioritise your overall health and wellbeing. When you’re thinking about adding exercise to your daily routine, you probably know that you will need to fuel your body, get plenty of sleep and prioritise recovery. But did you also know that CBD might help you to stay on track with all of these goals? What is CBD? CBD is a compound extracted from the cannabis or hemp plant. It is one of around 80 active compounds called cannabinoids which are capable of interacting with the human endocannabinoid system. CBD is thought to help support the endocannabinoid system by suppressing the release of an enzyme that breaks down endocannabinoids made in the body. The endocannabinoid system needs these compounds to function. Endocannabinoids are essential for everything from maintaining sleep patterns to controlling inflammation response. Research is ongoing to learn more about how we can use CBD to support an active and healthy lifestyle. Scientists are also keen to understand how CBD might one day be used to treat specific conditions. At present, there are only two licensed medications available containing CBD. These are used to treat a rare form of epilepsy and the symptoms of MS. Medications containing CBD are only available with a prescription, but you can also purchase CBD online and in shops. CBD products contain much lower concentrations than prescription CBD, but they are nonetheless a beneficial supplement to add to your daily routine. How can CBD help support your fitness goals? If you’re planning to start a new exercise routine in the New Year, you’ll be far more likely to succeed if you support your mind and body during recovery and rest. Going from zero activity to intense daily activity might be a shock to the system, so start slowly and gradually increase the duration and intensity of your exercise. Remember that consistency is key when it comes to exercise. If you want to achieve your goals in the New Year, focus on building a sustainable routine. And above all else, listen to your body. When you are using CBD regularly, you may find that you are more in tune with your body as you will be paying attention to the signs that it is working for you. These are just some of the ways that taking CBD every day could help you to achieve your health and fitness New Year’s Resolutions. Improve your sleep When you start exercising, your body needs plenty of sleep to be able to repair and rejuvenate. Unfortunately, many of us don’t get enough sleep every night, and this can cause problems. One of the best-known side effects of using CBD products is that it can make you feel sleepy. Adding CBD to your nighttime routine could help you to regulate your sleep patterns so that you can recuperate as you slowly ramp up the level of exercise. If you want to use CBD for sleep, try taking CBD oil drops before bed. Start with a low dose (around 15mg) and slowly increase this amount over a few weeks to find the perfect nighttime dose for your needs. If you take too much CBD, the negative side effects are likely to be mild and wear off quickly. 2. Control pain CBD is thought to have a pain-relieving effect when taken as an oral supplement. Alternatively, it can be applied directly to the skin with a topical balm. When you start a new exercise routine, you can expect to have some new aches and pains as your body adjusts to the increased activity. CBD might help you to take control of your pain and avoid things like aches and sore joints. Always listen to your body and don’t push yourself through an injury, but if you have any aches or pains as a result of exercise, then CBD products may support your body as it heals. Try taking an oral supplement like gummies, CBD oil or capsules every day and then use a topical CBD muscle balm for spot relief. 3. Reduce anxiety Starting something new can cause a lot of anxiety. Whether you’re nervous about heading into the weights section of the gym, or feel self-conscious about joining an exercise class, CBD might help you to feel more in control. If you are using CBD to help control anxiety, try taking it once a day at the same time and then take an additional dose around 30 minutes before the task that is causing anxiety. This will allow you to enjoy the benefits of allowing the CBD to build up in your system, while also empowering you to feel in control of your anxiety symptoms. 4. Help you to recover faster When you finish a particularly gruelling workout, you can expect some muscle soreness the following day. This is a sign that your muscles are breaking down so they can be rebuilt stronger than before. The process of breaking down muscle causes inflammation, which is what causes soreness and a reduction in the range of movement. CBD is thought to be able to reduce inflammation, so it could prove beneficial for those hoping to introduce intense exercise such as weight lifting, running or cycling into their daily routine. Try using a daily supplement like CBD oil and then add a topical CBD balm to your routine to help treat muscle and joint aches. If you need help choosing the right CBD products to support your goals in the New Year, we’re here to help. Head to our CBD guide to learn more about how CBD works, or get in touch for more information about how our products can help to support your goals.
