Five easy ways to look after your wellbeing

With everything that is going on in the world, it’s more important than ever to take extra steps to look after your physical and mental wellbeing.

There’s no denying 2020 was tough, and almost two months and another lockdown in, 2021 isn’t looking much better.

It’s important to do all we can to ensure our emotional, physical and mental wellbeing is in as best a condition as it possibly can be at this challenging time.

Here are five relatively easy ways you can look after your wellbeing – even during a global pandemic. 

Daily exercise

It’s well-documented that fresh air and exercise can impact our mood and wellbeing – but did you know this is partially down to receptors in the endocannabinoid system (ECS)? Since its discovery back in 1992, the ECS has emerged as one of the most important regulators of general human homeostasis (a stable internal environment), regulating elements such as reward, mood and pain. 

People with higher levels of anandamide (the endogenous molecule of the endocannabinoid receptor CB1R) are more resilient to stress, and research has now shown that exercise such as running and moderate intensity cycling can increase levels of anandamide circulating our bodies, therefore, boosting our mood. 

Get a good night’s sleep

The pandemic has wreaked havoc with our sleeping patterns – a team at Southampton University recently found a sharp rise in the number of Britons suffering from insomnia and anxiety-induced sleep problems – but it’s more important than ever that we get plenty of rest. 

As research into the area grows, lots of people struggling to get enough shut eye are turning to CBD. Many studies have praised the remedy for improving sleep quality, such as a paper recently published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, which found that systemic acute administration of CBD appears to increase total sleep time, in addition to increasing sleep latency on the day of administration.

Keep stress to a minimum 

Of course, this is easier said than done while in the midst of a pandemic, but it’s well-known that high levels of stress can have a hugely negative impact on our overall wellbeing. With usual de-stressing activities such as the gym and pubs shut, many are turning to CBD to help alleviate the levels of anxiety and tension they’re experiencing. 

While research is still minimal, last year a team found that long-term cannabis use can reduce stress – in rats, at least. Researchers at the National Institute on Drug Abuse measured levels of the stress hormone cortisone before and after a 30-day period, with those that had access to medium potency cannabis demonstrating significantly muted physiological response. 

Stay in touch with friends

Lockdowns and restrictions have meant that we’ve not been able to spend as much time as we’d necessarily like with friends and family over the past 12 months, but thanks to modern technology (hey, Zoom), we can stay in touch even while staying apart. 

Regularly catching up with loved ones, whether over a walk (abiding to current guidelines), a virtual quiz, or as little as a five-minute FaceTime, can massively improve your mood – and in turn, your overall wellbeing. 

Treat yourself 

In between working, home-schooling and trying to keep day-to-day life running as smoothly as possible, it’s important to take time out for yourself. 

With spas and salons currently closed, the trend of at-home self-care is on the rise – and the product that’s emerging as a fan favourite? CBD bath bombs. As we mentioned above, the remedy is well-known for reducing levels of stress and anxiety, making it the perfect accompaniment while unwinding in the tub. Plus, research has shown that CBD can have a positive impact on the skin – win, win!