Want to Put the Happiness Back in Your Holiday? Read These Five Pro Tips

Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Diwali, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, or just yourself this holiday season, it can be a super stressful time. Putting up festive decorations, cooking, deciding how to handle family get-togethers, it’s enough to put Santa himself in a less-than-jolly mood. Luckily, if this sounds like you or your household right now, there are some things you can do. At Releaf Health, we’re all about making your holidays more joyful and less stressful! 

Here are some tips to keep in mind, plus you can always consider adding all-natural, soothing CBD products to your shopping list. It will give you that extra boost of good cheer you might be missing. For those who qualify, Medical Marijuana (MM) can also help treat fibromyalgia and other chronic pain issues that can sometimes get worse this time of year. 

So what can you do to make your holidays more joyful and peaceful? Let’s dive into a few pro tips. 

1. Make your list early (then check it twice) – It’s almost common sense, but planning can give you a feeling of ownership over the things you can control. This way, you can zero in on the items you need to take care of, prioritizing and arranging your to-do list in a way that’s most useful and low stress. Think through also what things will take the most energy, and do those first. Is it grabbing your Christmas decorations from the attic? Or working on a family photo? Most people have the most energy in the morning, so if that’s, you prioritize the high-energy tasks first. Also, keep in mind that over-planning your day will – or trying to get too much done in one day will add stress.

2. Keep expectations manageable – If you think about it, anxiety is caused, partially, by how we set our expectations. Doing our best to set realistic expectations  – or a good match between expected and actual events – causes our brains to release a bit of dopamine. If that doesn’t happen, the brain releases cortisol, which tells us to investigate further, but Cortisol is also the root of anxiety. Psychologists tell us that we can take steps to rewire old impulses by feeding your brain with different experiences – focusing on the good that you want instead of on disappointed expectations. Now that’s food for thought!

3. Just say no – make adjustments and move on –  When going through your holiday checklist, be mindful of anything that interferes with your joy. Maybe you once enjoyed writing and mailing hand-written Christmas cards to your entire list of family and friends. Does that task now add more stress to your life? If yes, then nix it and move on. Prepare to say ‘no’ politely and respectfully and be gracious when people say the same to you. When you can simplify your schedule, your anxiety and stress levels will decrease. 

4. Consider all-natural CBD for an added boost – Even if you have a pretty good handle on your stress level at the moment, life’s unexpected events can always throw you off course.  Being proactive and supplementing your healthy habits and routine with all-natural CBD oil may provide additional relief from anxiety and stress.  How can CBD help? As we highlighted, heightened stress levels alter the brain’s structure and chemistry, causing certain regions to become hyperactive and others to shrink. When this happens, this can impact our levels of neurotransmitters – serotonin, dopamine, and endocannabinoids, etc. CBD edibles, tinctures, topicals, and creams are healthy ways to promote effective activity in the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is responsible for so many critical processes, including promoting natural harmony throughout our body. High-quality CBD products promote a sense of relaxation and mental alertness. And let’s face it? We could all use more of these good things in our lives. 

5. Consult a doctor about medical marijuana – For those suffering from severe anxiety caused by chronic pain or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), medical marijuana may be an option. Today, the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program (MMCP) designates 22 medical conditions for ‘approved’ treatment with medical marijuana. Anxiety is also considered a qualifying condition thanks to evolving attitudes from the board and public about MM potentially healing properties. Read our last blog to learn more, but in a nutshell, proponents of addition believe that two of the primary compounds in the marijuana plant – CBD and THC – may have significant therapeutic properties. The cannabis plant also contains terpenes, the natural chemical found in plants that produce certain smells, which many believe have big-time anti-anxiety properties. 

Pursue peace

Do you have ideas about how to keep stress levels down this holiday season? What new traditions is your family looking forward to? Or do you want to explore some of our CBD products that promote relaxation? Or lotions or bath salts or CBD-infused body and massage oil for deep body relaxation? We are here for you. 

Or do you want to learn more about obtaining a medical marijuana card in Ohio? You can read our last post or schedule an in-person or telemedicine appointment today! Let’s deck these halls!