Keeping Your Cool: Natural Remedies for Parents in the Trenches

Stress is an entirely natural human response to changes and challenges. Of course, not all stress is harmful. Take the stress you might feel before an important presentation, job interview, or getting your kids ready for their first day of school, for example. The temporary, manageable discomfort strengthens the connection between neurons in your brain and fortifies your defenses with each new triumph.¹

Then there's the other end of the spectrum – the constant barrage of day-to-day stressors that can drain your energy, disrupt your sleep, and leave you feeling as if you're living life in the trenches. You may not even realize your stress levels have turned toxic until you feel anxious, irritable, or overwhelmed by the challenges of family life.² Once you know why daily stress can be so difficult to manage, it's easy to see the benefits of using natural solutions to find solace. 

Understanding the Impact of Stress on Parental Well-Being 

A Princeton University and Stony Brook University study confirmed that parents experience more daily joy than nonparents, but also more daily stress.³ In a recent survey of working parents, 57% reported feeling overwhelmed, emotionally detached from family life, and physically exhausted – symptoms suggesting parental burnout triggered by stress responses running on overdrive.⁴

The occasional stress-inducing event is unlikely to negatively impact parental well-being in the long term. Parents feeling as if they're living life in the trenches, however, are more likely to experience frequent headaches, digestive upset, sleeplessness, weight gain, and depression.⁵ Over time, elevated stress levels increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, stroke, metabolic conditions, immune system dysfunction, and more.⁶

Exploring Natural Ways to Diffuse the Impact of Parental Stress  

When parental life is calm and relatively uneventful, your body produces just enough cortisol to maintain focus and awareness. At the slightest hint of nearly any threat to your sense of physical, mental, or emotional security – for yourself or your family – instantaneous responses trigger your autonomic nervous system to prepare for action. Your stress hormones keep your entire system in a state of high alert until your brain gets the message that the crisis has passed. But there's a catch. 

It takes time for the surge of cortisol and adrenaline in your system to return to baseline.⁷ If the next "threat" strikes too soon, your cortisol and adrenaline levels remain elevated. Over time, chronic stress causes changes in the brain that can diminish your ability to cope.⁸ Fortunately, there are numerous ways to diffuse the impact of parental stress and restore essential balance. The following examples are among the most commonly recommended.   

Mindfulness Meditation  

Mindfulness is the practice of living in the moment, intentionally undistracted by internal or external influences. The calm focus and attention to breath control associated with mindful meditation diffuses the alarms triggered by stress. While sitting in a relaxed position, focus on your breathing while inhaling and exhaling naturally through your nose. When your mind begins to wander, notice your thoughts, then return to focused breathing.⁹ In time, mindfulness meditation helps build emotional resilience. Most experts recommend a minimum daily goal of 10 minutes.¹⁰ 

Physical Activity  

The cortisol and adrenaline surging in your system when stress levels rise prepare your body to fight or flee – a reactive burst of activity.¹¹ Exercise not only helps take your mind off your worries, but physical activity also helps balance stress hormones in the way nature intended. You'll also gain the benefits of endorphins, oxygenation, and improved blood flow. The key to success is consistency. Even relatively short bursts of physical activities you enjoy can have a positive impact.¹²   

Focusing on Nutrition  

Chronic stress increases your need for specific nutrients essential for cellular repair. But most adults indulge the inevitable cravings for highly processed comfort foods when they feel physically, mentally, or emotionally drained. Instead, try to focus on nutrient density and overall balance.¹³ Current evidence suggests that increasing the amount of omega-3 fatty acids and fresh vegetables in the diet may help regulate cortisol levels. Salmon, pickled herring, hemp seeds, walnuts, and Brussels sprouts are excellent sources of Omega-3.¹⁴ 

Prioritizing Sleep   

Poor sleep and stress are connected, but their relationship is not entirely understood. It was once believed that stress-related sleep difficulties resolve with effective stress management. Today, current research shows that it works both ways.¹⁵ Adults sleeping fewer than eight hours each night tend to feel more stressed during the day.¹6 That makes prioritizing sleep duration and quality a stress-busting essential. Experts generally recommend going to bed at the same time each night and waking at the same time each morning to reestablish disrupted circadian rhythms. 

Natural Oils & Extracts  

There are multiple plant oils and extracts shown to have a soothing effect on the body and brain. Chamomile, for example, contains a flavonoid shown to calm nervous system excitability,¹⁷ passionflower can work as a natural sedative,¹⁸ and hemp extract contains CBD, a plant element with several possible benefits for stress management. Based on a 2019 CBDistillery® survey of 1,900 customers, most CBD users report positive results for discomfort after physical activity, better sleep, relaxation, and calming the effects of mild or temporary anxiety. 

Understanding the Role of CBD in Stress Management  

CBD is just one of more than 113 cannabinoids in hemp. After the oil is extracted from the plant's flowers and distilled, it's used as an ingredient in an impressive number of increasingly popular products, CBD oil tinctures, topicals, softgels, gummies, and more. Parents adding high-quality CBD to their daily (or nightly) routines gain the many potential benefits of using a cannabinoid that interacts with more than 65 molecular targets, including the receptors of their dopamine, GABA, and serotonin systems¹⁹– neurotransmitters directly involved in mitigating and managing stress.²⁰ 

Most researchers, however, feel CBD's most impactful contributions to overall health and well-being are best explained by the way it asserts its influence on the endocannabinoid system (ECS) receptors. As the largest regulatory system in the human body, ECS signaling is involved in nearly every critical function, everything from moods, emotional regulation, and stress responses to sleep cycle regulation, immune system function, and the perception of pleasure and pain.²¹ Based on decades of scientific study, most experts believe supporting ECS function with CBD promotes homeostasis. 

Factors to Consider Before Integrating CBD Into Your Routine  

Most parents appreciate knowing that hemp-derived CBD products are generally well-tolerated and safe for most adults. There's no risk of chemical dependency, and 93% of our 1,900 survey respondents experienced no adverse effects. Side effects, however, are possible. Some CBD users report dry mouth, changes in appetite, fatigue, nausea, or diarrhea.²² Most often, their symptoms are mild and resolve with smaller serving sizes. 

The versatility of hemp extract makes it easy for manufacturers to create an impressive assortment of enticing products. Whether you're shopping locally or online, it's best to consider how the products competing for your attention suit your needs, preferences, and lifestyle. You'll find the selection process much easier once you understand how the cannabinoid profiles of the three main types of CBD compare. 

Full Spectrum CBD Products  

Full spectrum CBD oil tinctures, softgels, and gummies give you the many additional cannabinoids, terpenes, and other phytonutrients extracted from hemp flower in the same ratio found in nature. The 15-20:1 CBD to THC ratio in unaltered extracts ensures there's a low risk of intoxication. Many CBD users feel that full spectrum products have the more potent effect because of the way the combined impact of the cannabinoids and terpenes contributes to the "Entourage Effect" cannabis is known for. 

Broad Spectrum CBD Products  

Broad spectrum products give you many of the same additional cannabinoids and terpenes as full spectrum, with one major exception. A process called chromatography is used to reduce the amount of THC in the plant's extract to non-detectable levels. Although the products have the cannabinoids and terpenes needed for an "Entourage Effect", some (not all) people comparing full spectrum and broad spectrum products feel that removing THC from the equation diminishes its impact.²³ 

CBD Isolate Products  

CBD isolate powder is odorless, flavorless, and has 0% THC. While products made with refined CBD powder don't have the cannabinoids and terpenes needed to initiate an "Entourage Effect", there's little cause for concern. Researchers publishing a 2020 report, for example, specified that most of the data used in their analysis reflected the effects of the "pure form" of CBD. Products made with CBD isolate powder are an excellent option for parents who don't care for the rather distinctive flavor or aroma of cannabis. 

Discover How CBD Could Help You Diffuse the Stress of Parenthood  

It's natural for parents to feel stressed from time to time. It's also far too common for stressed parents to underestimate the importance of prioritizing self-care. Stress levels intensify when parents lack efficient ways to diffuse the alarm and restore equilibrium. If day-to-day parental stress has you feeling overworked, overwhelmed, or out of sorts, consider adding CBD to your daily routine. Most of our survey respondents reported achieving positive results within 7-14 days of consistent use. 

When you choose CBDistillery® hemp-derived CBD oil tinctures, topicals, softgels, and gummies, you're purchasing products from a respected industry leader with more than 2 million satisfied customers. Our products are quality-assured, made with 100% clean ingredients, and backed by our 60-day stress-free satisfaction guarantee. If you're not quite sure where to start, consider scheduling a personal consultation. 

References 

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