Let’s be honest here: our daily grind is not helping our stress levels. While the financial world might offer a number of career opportunities, the stress of it all can usually weigh pretty heavily on your psyche. The end results can be poor moods, lower energy levels, and interrupted sleep patterns.
So, how can you break out of the cycle of stress (without quitting your job and living out the rest of your days in an abandoned cabin in the Appalachians) and ease sleep issues to break the sleep-wake cycle? Well, if you ask thousands of employees of the financial sector, CBD is already being used as a safe, legal, and effective cure for your stress and sleep-related woes, and help you achieve that much-needed night’s sleep. As well as potentially easing sleep disorders, CBD oil products are also known to help ease chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, and multiple sclerosis to name but a few.
CBD vs. THC
If you are only vaguely familiar with cannabidiol (CBD), you might be thinking: seriously? Weed is the solution to my insomnia? CBD oil for sleep? Will it really work?
The answer is, not quite. Marijuana contains a psychoactive ingredient called THC, which is what makes you feel high after smoking. CBD, on the other hand, is a cannabinoid (a fancy science term for “chemical that comes from cannabis”) that does not contain THC. Smoking a joint and taking a CBD tincture are not comparable experiences, though they may both actually help with chronic insomnia or sleep apnea, though that is where the comparison ends.
Despite the fact that research around CBD is only starting to take off, evidence is already pointing to it having a number of wellness properties, with the medical community even starting to embrace it as a prescribed medication for pain relief and epilepsy. Although THC products are illegal in some or all circumstances in many states, CBD is legal across the country.
We suggest that you always check in with your doctor when you take any treatment, even over-the-counter ones—and this includes CBD.
Insomnia and CBD
Insomnia is a sleep disorder that is defined by being unable to fall asleep or remain asleep. Of course, sleep is an incredibly important aspect of our health, so when we are unable to get a good night’s sleep, our physical and mental health takes a blow as a result.
In fact, some of the leading symptoms of insomnia is carrying on throughout your day feeling sleepy, having troubles with memory and focus, and irritability. You can have either primary or secondary insomnia. Primary insomnia is when symptoms are not associated with any other factors, while secondary insomnia occurs when symptoms are caused by a secondary issue.
Leading causes of secondary insomnia include thyroid problems, nasal infections, reactions to medications, working irregular hours, and pain. However, one factor that is prevalent in both primary and secondary insomnia is stress.
Stress can make it more challenging to fall asleep and stay asleep, and there are a number of lifestyle habits that can negatively impact your sleep cycle that too many employees in the financial world are guilty of. For example, feeling as though you have too many responsibilities and taking work home with you in the evenings can contribute to insomnia—and this sounds like all too many workers in today’s competitive and high-stress world of business.
Research shows that CBD could be a potential solution, especially for those with certain medical conditions such as Parkinson’s.
Stress Management and CBD
Even if you do not struggle to sleep at night, stress can still creep its way into your work performance. Stress in the workplace can make it harder to focus, manage your time, and avoid time-consuming distractions. It can also take a toll on your physical health and emotional well-being, which can ultimately make you a less productive worker and even lead to missed work for health reasons.
Now, more than ever before, research is underway on the full range of effects CBD offers, including both benefits and risks. So far, multiple studies have suggested that CBD can act as a safe, effective tool for stress and anxiety management. Ultimately, if stress is a factor in your sleep struggles, addressing the root cause can help you feel more well-rested while also managing the day-to-day challenges associated with a stressful work life.
Tips on a Better Sleep
Although CBD is a promising solution, you might need to take more than one step to combat your insomnia. Here are some other all-natural, non-invasive tips that could help your sleep quality:
- Avoid blue light exposure for a few hours before bed—apps are available to naturally lower the blue light on our devices, for those of us who cannot avoid late-night screen time
- Try not to take your work home with you, and if you cannot avoid it, do something to unwind before bed like read for pleasure or take a relaxing shower
- Consider investing in weighted blankets
- Reduce drinking before bed, especially on work nights
- As tempting as it may be, some research shows that naps can actually have a poor impact on your sleep schedule
- Avoid late night snacks
- Earplugs, white noise machines, black-out blinds, and sleep masks can all reduce external light and noise that could keep you awake
- Set your room to a comfortable temperature
- If possible, try to go to bed and wake up at the same time as consistently as possible
- Avoid caffeine from the afternoon onwards
Our best advice when it comes to getting better sleep is to talk to your doctor. They can help you decide whether or not CBD is a good treatment option for you, as well as help you identify the root causes of your insomnia.
Even if you have found CBD to be effective to aid sleep problems, there might be other underlying factors (such as medical disorders or medications you are on) that are also impacting your insomnia. Although CBD can help you manage your stress, your doctor can help you create a comprehensive plan to address every reason behind your sleep schedules. Hopefully, with the right tricks and tools, you will be back to your norm of excelling at work and getting high-quality rest at night. After all, it’s what you deserve.