Sleep
A good nights sleep is so important for your health
A good nights sleep is more important than most of us know... Bad sleep habits can lead to all sorts of troubles in the body. You will be surprised at how much better you feel when you begin a balanced sleep schedule. In this article we will discuss the role of CBD, foods, and routines that can help you finally get a good nights sleep.
CBD for sleep support
As we know, your Endocannabinoid System is a network of receptors throughout your body designed to accept endogenous as well as plant cannabinoids and responsible for Homeostasis (Balance) in all other systems in your body. CBD directly interacts with these receptors and supports homeostasis. Using CBD in your daily routine helps your body in its fight to reach and maintain balance in your entire body. CBD helps to quiet anxiety, and regulate your neurotransmissions resulting in your bodys ability to calm it's self and ready your brain for sleep. There are many opinions on the form of CBD one should use for certain applications, but my favorite for sleep support is the gummy. Gummies, when taken properly, provide a sort of time release effect as they digest in your gut. The key is to swallow the gummy as whole as possible. I take a little 25mg gummy bear every night. I let all of the sugar dissolve, bite into it once to squish it a bit and then swallow it without chewing it up. As it dissolves during digestion it delivers cannabinoids on a steady basis for the duration of digestion. Gummies work best for me, but I always encourage people to experiment with what works best for them.
Habits for good sleep
We have to do our part in developing good habits (and breaking bad ones) that help with sleep support. Consider the following list
- Establish a nightly routine
- Avoid bright lights
- Avoid stress/excitement inducing activities. Establishing a relaxing activity such as reading a good book, taking a warm bath or shower, or listening to/playing music can help your brain to calm and begin releasing chemicals that are essential for a good nights sleep
- Stick to the schedule that works for you, even on the weekends. This can help regulate your bodys internal clock.
- Avoid long naps: If you require a nap during the day, take a 30 minute power nap. Short naps can provide significant benefit for improved alertness without making you feel groggy or interfering with sleep cycles.
- Invest in a good & supportive mattress & bedding: Bedding is not designed to last forever and needs to be replaced when worn. Of course it depends on the quality of mattress and bedding you own, but as a rule of thumb your mattress should be turned every 6 months & replaced every 7-15 years. Pillows should be replaced every 6 months to a year depending on the material.
- Wash your sheets and pillowcases a minimum of every 2 weeks: Clean, pleasant smelling bedding induces a feeling of well being and relaxes the mind.
- Use a fan or a sound machine: white noise, rainfall, ocean waves, etc. can create a calming environment and minimize background noise, helping you fall peacefully to sleep. I sleep with a fan every night and even carry one with me when I travel. This "white noise" is wonderful for those of us who are very light sleepers.
- Eat sleep inducing foods: Eating wholesome foods and having a balanced diet are important for overall health, but there are certain foods that are rich in tryptophan and potassium that aid in sleep support. See a list of great sleep inducing foods here.
- Avoid the use of caffeine at least 4 hours before bed: Caffeine is a very powerful stimulant that increases brain activity, sometimes to a fever pitch. It is also a diuretic and can cause unwanted sleep interruptions getting up to take a bathroom break. If you are a person who has severe or chronic insomnia, it's possible that you need to cut caffeine from your diet all together. For everyone else, you should cut out all caffeinated foods and beverages at least 4 hours prior to bed time to allow the caffeine to leave your system. Having a warm beverage or having a warm bath before bed can stimulate the production of melatonin, so grab yourself a cup of herbal tea or sugar free/caffeine free hot chocolate before bed. Other great ways to boost melatonin can be found here.
- Turn down the thermostat: Your body temperature naturally lowers during sleep, so introducing your body into a cooler environment can stimulate sleep and help your body transition through healthy sleep cycles all night long. The ideal temperature for sleep is between 67 & 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Introduce CBD into your life: CBD helps your body reach and maintain Homeostasis. A balanced body is a happy & healthy body
Rustic Oils CBD Of Lee's Summit LLC Blog
We’ve all had that moment.... . During a belly rub, you feel it—a new "lump or bump" that wasn't there last week. Your heart sinks, and suddenly, nothing else matters than the health of your fur baby This is where the ancient wisdom of mushrooms like Turkey Tail and Reishi steps in. Think of them as nature’s quiet protectors. I have given them to Abbey for a couple of years but I so wish I would have started from the beginning. Turkey Tail is the "Immune Architect." It’s packed with beta-glucans that help the body’s natural defenses recognize and respond to cellular changes. It’s like giving your dog’s immune system a pair of glasses so it can see exactly where it needs to go to work. Reishi is often called the "Mushroom of Immortality," but for our pups, it’s the "Mushroom of Zen." It supports longevity, helps manage the body’s response to occasional stress, and provides much-needed relief for those pesky seasonal allergies. When we combine these in our homemade treats or as a food topper, we aren't just feeding them; we’re fighting for more "zoomies," more tail wags, and more years of companionship. Why We Trust Verdant Leaf When it comes to our pets, "good enough" isn't an option. That’s why I’ve always been uncompromising about the brands I bring into the shop. Verdant Leaf is the gold standard for clean, reliable supplements for a few very specific reasons: Purity First: Their powders are free from the fillers, grains, and "fluff" that often plague commercial pet supplements. You are getting 100% functional mushroom power. Transparent Sourcing: They prioritize high-quality extraction methods, ensuring the beneficial compounds (like those vital beta-glucans) are actually bioavailable for your dog to absorb. Tested & Trusted: Every batch is held to rigorous standards, so you can feel confident that what’s on the label is exactly what’s in the bowl. Using a clean brand like Verdant Leaf ensures that your "fur baby" is getting the support they deserve without any of the junk they don't. Here are links to Verdant Leaf Turkey Tail & Verdant Leaf Reishi Recipes you can make at home! I actually use these powders as a topper for Abbey's food or I make a mushroom broth for her to drink, but you can also create these yummy treats at home for pups that are a little pickier "Immune-Boost" No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls Best for: Quick prep and masking the earthy mushroom taste. Ingredients : 1 cup Oat flour (or blended rolled oats) 1/2 cup Natural peanut butter (ensure it is Xylitol-free) 1/4 cup Unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana. Verdant Leaf Powder: 1/4 {1/8 tsp each species, or 1/4 tsp if you are using only one species} tsp per 10 lbs of dog weight (totaled for the batch size) Instructions : Mix the mushroom powder into the peanut butter and applesauce until well-blended. Stir in the oat flour until a dough forms. Roll into bite-sized balls based on the dog's daily dosage needs. Store in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for longer. Sweet Potato & Reishi "Cookies" Best for: Dogs with sensitive stomachs or allergies. Ingredients: 1 cup Mashed cooked sweet potato 1 1/2 cups Brown rice flour (or whole wheat flour if tolerated) 1 Egg Verdant Leaf Powder: Calculate total dosage for the number of cookies (e.g., if making 20 cookies and the dog needs 1/2 tsp daily {1/4 tsp each species, or 1/2 tsp of any single species}, add 10 tsp to the batch). Instructions : Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F).Mix all ingredients into a dough. Roll out and cut into shapes. Bake for 20–25 minutes until firm. Golden Mushroom Bone Broth (Liquid Topper) Best for: Older dogs who might enjoy a warm topper on their meals. Ingredients : 2 cups Low-sodium beef or chicken bone broth (onion/garlic-free) 1/2 tsp Turmeric (for extra anti-inflammatory benefits) Dash of black pepper (needed to activate anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric) 1 tsp coconut oil, beef tallow, or fish oil Verdant Leaf Powder: Whisk in 1/4 {1/8 tsp each species, or 1/4 tsp if you are using only one species} tsp per serving. Instructions : Warm the broth slightly (not boiling).Whisk in the mushroom powder and turmeric until dissolved. Pour over kibble or freeze in ice cube trays for "pupsicles." MUSHROOM DOSING GUIDELINE * Daily Maintenance Dosage (Give once daily for general health) Under 20 lbs: 1/4 teaspoon 20 to 50 lbs: 1/2 teaspoon 50 to 90 lbs: 3/4 teaspoon Over 90 lbs: 1 teaspoon Therapeutic/ Loading Dosage (Give for "lumps and bumps" or the first 2 weeks of use) Under 20 lbs: 1/2 teaspoon 20 to 50 lbs: 1 teaspoon 50 to 90 lbs: 1 & 1/2 teaspoons Over 90 lbs: 2 teaspoons *The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your health care professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act require this notice.
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