How to Beat Stress Without Medication

There’s no shortage of stressors in daily life, and sometimes, they can start to feel like too much to handle. The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns of the past year alone were enough to stress most people out to a point they hadn’t been in years, if at all. Of course, difficulties at work or school, relationship issues, or financial strain can all be huge sources of stress in anyone’s life. These possibilities don’t even take into account how difficult it can be to live with chronic pain or other medical conditions that make everyday life more difficult.

While medication can be a great solution for some people suffering from extreme levels of stress caused by conditions like arthritis, insomnia, nausea, or even schizophrenia, it’s not always the best approach for everyone. Some may be dealing with issues that are difficult to medicate. Others may worry about the potential side effects of medication. That’s okay, as there are plenty of other ways to reduce stress. Here are some of the best that require no medication.

Find ways to get better sleep

A consistent lack of good sleep will inherently cause stress for individuals since, in addition to making you feel bad physically, it can also result in reduced cognitive functions, an increased risk for accidents, and even weight gain. Poor sleep can even increase your blood pressure and put you at an increased risk for heart disease. Of course, sleeping better is often easier said than done.

Outside of trying to stick to a bedtime routine, one of the best things you can do to get better sleep is cut out caffeine, at least during the afternoon and evening. Not only does caffeine make it harder to sleep if you ingest it late, but the jolt it gives your nervous system can aggravate feelings of anxiety. Also, if you’ve found yourself skipping meals due to your hectic schedule, you’ll need to stop doing that. Your stress levels inherently rise when you don’t eat, and that reduces the chances of you getting good sleep.

It’s also important to remember that the length of time you slept doesn’t necessarily mean it was a night of quality sleep. Did you know that how you breathe during sleep affects how rested you’ll feel the next morning? It’s true! It’s also true that indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor air. This is because of how easy it is to track dust, allergens, and other irritants into your home. You may find that a simple air purifier helps you boost the quality of your sleep.

Get aboard the CBD train

Sleep is great, but you’ll need to find ways to relax during the day as well if you want to really combat stress levels. For some people, this is easy to do with a hobby. Others might need some extra help. Don’t worry—CBD is not medication. Cannabidiol (CBD) is an active ingredient found naturally in the hemp plant. Unlike its more well-known cousin, THC, CBD doesn’t produce psychoactive effects or a “high.” CBD is a supplement sold in a variety of forms, including capsules, gummies, flavored drops, and topicals. Check out some CBD reviews to see what CBD products may be right for you.

Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD is legal in the United States, and it’s become extremely popular to sell online and in stores. Supporters of CBD claim that it helps to calm feelings of stress and anxiousness or relieve muscle aches and pains. Supporters also claim that CND helps them to relax, regardless of what stressors they’re facing. It’s important to keep in mind that these CBD supplements are not approved by the FDA, and they can’t be said to actually “cure” or “treat” any condition. Still, if you think you may benefit from them, consult your doctor about strength and dosage to see if CBD can help you.

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