By Mandy Froelich / Life in Bloom
Hey, friends.
In the age of Covid-19, how are you all doing? When people ask me this question, I struggle to know how to respond. All in all, Aaron and I are well. Because we both work for “medically necessary facilities” and are introverts, not much has changed. So, I consider us blessed. However, my heart goes out to the billions of people affected by quarantine procedures who are in worse situations.
We are living through an unprecedented time. I truly believe that in 20-50 years, the world will reflect on this period as a turning point for humanity. A dark, necessary time that helped the collective re-evaluate what’s important and take essential steps to improve the system so all may benefit. At least, that’s my hope in all of this.
On a less dark note, I’m loving the intrigue in healthy living and plant-based cooking during this pandemic. More people are recognizing that what they eat, think, put on their skin, and the people they surround themselves with all make a difference. And being someone who has taught on this for years, I find it encouraging. Together, we’ll get through this.
Why It’s More Important Than Ever to ‘Chill Out’
During times of stress, supporting the nervous system and adrenals is key. Our “flight or fight” response is regulated by our adrenal glands (which are located on top of the kidneys). When we feel stressed, cortisol (produced by the kidneys) provides the body with glucose by tapping into protein stores via gluconeogenesis in the liver. The energy can help someone fight or flee a stressor. However, elevated cortisol over time consistently produces glucose, leading to increased blood sugar levels.
Functional medicine has taught us that this response is a precursor to a variety of modern-day illnesses, including diabetes, skin conditions (including acne – I’m proof of this!), and high blood pressure. Therefore, “chilling out” should be everyone’s top priority. Even in this uncertain time, we must do what we can to support our endocrine systems… It matters for those we love, all we aim to create in the future, and future generations that have yet to be brought forth.
7 FREE Ways to ‘Chill Out’
- Read a book
- Go on a walk or run
- Spend time with animals (oxytocin!)
- Spend time with loved ones (oxytocin!)
- Take a bath
- Bathe in sunlight
- Do yoga
Because the modern world is tough, sometimes, we need help relaxing. There is NOTHING wrong with this. In fact, I believe it’s why herbal medicines, including cannabis, skullcap, and magnolia bark, exist! When a rep from Gaia Herbs recently reached out, inquiring about whether or not I’d like to try the new “Hemp & Herbs” formula, it was a no-brainer.
As the co-founder of My Stoned Kitchen, I am a huge supporter of cannabis being used as a medicine. Cannabinoids, particularly, are critical for our cannabinoid system (#mammallife). When the crop was outlawed approximately one century ago, access to these critical nutrients disappeared. You don’t need to get “high” to benefit from the plant. You can consume CBD by taking Gaia Herb’s ‘Hemp & Herbs’ blend, CBD oil, eating CBD-infused foods, or juicing cannabis leaves.
My Experience
The product showed up quickly and in colorful, easy-to-read packaging. Each serving contains 20 mg of cannabinoids. There were 30 vegan liquid Phyto-caps herbal supplements in the bottle. The company suggests taking 1-2 capsules up to 2 times daily. So, that’s what I did.
Previous to taking the herbal supplement, I decided to focus on two things as a method of measuring the effects. 1) My emotional stability and well-being and 2) How I “felt” (in other words, did I feel “calm,” as the brand suggested.
My notes follow:
- I witnessed myself being much calmer, overall. I was less sensitive to others’ emotional ups-and-downs, which has historically proven to be a bit challenging.
- I felt calm but not tired. In fact, I found myself to be slightly more productive as I am a tad ADD and the calming effect helped me focus.
- Due to birth control, my emotions often fluctuate. For the first time in a while, I felt as if I was less reactive to situations, people, and events I can’t control.
Overall Takeaway:
I felt better taking the supplement than not taking it. Cannabinoids and the slew of herbs in the formula are nourishing to our systems. Gaia Herbs is a reputable brand, one I often recommend to family members and clients. If you feel like you need some help staying calm during this challenging time, this non-psychoactive supplement may help.
DISCLAIMER:
The information on this site is for educational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Please contact a qualified health care professional for individual health and medical advice. Life in Bloom assumes no responsibility for any outcome of applying the information on this site in a program of self-care or under the care of a qualified health-care professional.
