There’s a lot of media coverage surrounding CBD and its uses, but with so many benefits and possibilities, it can be difficult to know how to begin using it. Before we dive into our tips, you first need to know what it is and how it works.
What Is CBD?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of over 80 active chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. It’s extracted in the same way as you would extract essential oils from any medicinal plant such as lavender or chamomile. While the cannabis plant itself is pretty well-known, scientists and researchers are just beginning to uncover what these active ingredients (or cannabinoids) can do. THC is another well-known cannabinoid, which is the component responsible for producing a ‘high’, whereas CBD has none of the effects.
CBD is obtained from hemp, a strain of the Cannabis sativa plant, and while it doesn’t produce any ‘high’, it does seem to affect the brain and body. It has been known to reduce stress, settle anxiety, relieve pain and hydrate your skin; it has even been shown to assist people suffering from epilepsy, arthritis and addiction. What’s more, is that it’s so easy to use. From adding it to your salad dressing to rubbing it into your sore muscles, there are countless ways to use CBD on a daily basis. This article will go through three key ways you can start using CBD oil today.
1. Add Joia CBD Oil to Your Evening and Morning Routines
When working out the best way to use your CBD oil, you first need to consider why you’re using it. For example, if you like to start your day with a clear head, add it to your morning routine. It will calm you down, give you focus and set you up to ease into the day. Taking CBD oil in the morning can also enhance your productivity. It can clear your mind, enabling you to focus better and helping you maintain higher energy levels throughout the day.
The other option is to add your CBD oil to your evening routine. Everyone knows the importance of a decent night’s sleep. It helps your brain and body recover, improves your mood, and increases your energy and focus for the day ahead. Essentially, a good night’s sleep prepares you for when you wake up.
However, due to the increasingly busy lives that we so often lead, many people struggle to unwind at the end of the day, finding it hard to switch off and fall asleep. For some, this is all in the mind, whereas others have problems with aches and pains, such as arthritis or muscle recovery that prevent the body from relaxing when it needs to. Taking CBD as part of your evening routine can help prepare both the body and the mind for sleep.
Most people who take CBD oil in the evening tend to just drop their dosage onto the base of their tongue, wait 60 seconds for it to absorb, and then swallow, but there are multiple ways to use it. For example, you could apply your CBD oil topically to the skin. Most people follow some kind of skincare routine, so why not add your CBD into the mix. Blend a little with a carrier oil such as jojoba and gently massage it in to soothe your muscles. Or, if you suffer from any skin condition such as eczema or psoriasis, try applying it to the face after cleansing. Its anti-inflammatory effects have been shown to improve multiple skin conditions, even the dreaded teenage acne.
If your evening routine is a bit more elaborate and includes things like meditation, stretching or a warm bath, add your CBD before taking on these tasks. For example, you could add a few drops to your bath water or rub it into the soles of your feet before your meditation. CBD can take around 30 minutes for the effects to sink in, so by the time you’ve finished the rest of your evening routine, you’ll be calm and mentally and physically prepared for your sleep.
2. Incorporate Joia CBD Oil Into Your Diet
One of the easiest ways to use CBD oil daily is by incorporating it into your diet. From drinks to baked goods, sweet treats, to salads, CBD oil is a versatile cooking ingredient that you can use in all kinds of ways. One of the most popular is through drinks.
CBD oil can be infused into any kind of liquid. Whether you only get out of bed with the promise of coffee, you’re more of a tea person, or you always start the day with a healthy green smoothie, CBD works in them all. However, if you want to reap the maximum benefits, add it to a drink that contains milk, such as coffee or tea. CBD binds to fats, which improves the body’s absorption and helps it remain in your system longer. It’s also supposed to take the edge off coffee, which is excellent if you need an energy boost but want to avoid the dreaded coffee jitters!
However, the taste of CBD is a little like marmite – you either love it or hate it! If you’re not a fan of the earthy, pungent flavour, adding it to juices and smoothies is an excellent way to ensure you still receive all the benefits without having to taste the somewhat acquired flavour! Simply measure out your dose, stir it into your desired beverage, and enjoy.
If you tend to start your mornings with a knot of anxiety in your stomach, adding CBD to your morning beverage will set your mind into a calm state, allowing you to ease into the day. However, it can also be a great addition to your evening drinks. For example, you could blend it into cocktails or add it to your evening hot chocolate or night-time tea to help you unwind and relax at the end of the day.
That said, CBD oil isn’t limited to being added to drinks – it goes excellently in salad dressings, too, especially if it’s being paired with nice grassy, earthy greens and roasted veg. Just add your dosage to your recipe, and away you go. You should also mix the CBD oil with olive oil before adding the rest of the ingredients to ensure it blends well.
We can’t live without eating and drinking, and as we’re creatures of habit, it’s usually at roughly the same times each day, which makes incorporating CBD into your diet a breeze – you really don’t need to change much. The easiest habits to implement are the ones with the least amount of effort. If you know that you already have a cup of coffee or a smoothie every morning, you eat a salad every day for lunch, or you like to enjoy a warming cup of cocoa before bed, just leave the CBD bottle on your counter so you can seamlessly slip it into your routine.
3. Have the Oil on Hand to Be Used as and When It’s Needed
Finally, the last way to use CBD oil is to take it as and when it’s needed. The simplest way of doing this is to keep a bottle in your bag or desk drawer and use it as a tincture when the need is called for. If you often feel particularly stressed at work in the afternoons, trying to get everything done before the day ends, take a minute out to use your CBD – remember, it can take up to 30 minutes for you to feel the effects.
Same if you suffer from social anxiety. Just take a few drops about 30 minutes before you attend any social engagement or any interaction you’re particularly worried about to help ease your mind so you can settle into a calm state. You can also pop a few drops into your drinks when you feel the need.
CBD can also be used topically when you need it. For example, if you suffer from chronic pain, or pulled a muscle while working out, rub it into your aches and pains to receive relief. Why not keep a bottle in your gym bag for those warm down moments? Or perhaps you’ve been sitting at your desk all day, and your shoulders are starting to ache. Rub your CBD oil in to give yourself a bit of TLC.
Round-Up
See, it’s easy to use when you just know how! Whether you’re planning on incorporating it into your existing morning and evening routines, you’re going to add a few drops to your food and drinks, or you’re just going to keep the bottle in your bag for when you need it, it couldn’t be a more straightforward product to use.
Take a look at our CBD oil here to start incorporating it into your day.
