Mindfulness, Meditation & CBD: What are the benefits?

So, what is guided meditation?

Meditation is a practice that involves paying attention to the present moment and practising self-reflection in a completely non-judgemental way. This practice is important, as regularly meditating can aid in reducing stress, improving focus, and can increase feelings of well-being and happiness. This is ultimately known as mindfulness.

Ensuring mindfulness is a part of your everyday routine can help individuals to become more aware of their thoughts and feelings, and learn how to respond to them in a healthier way. Furthermore, meditation has been found to have many potential physical health benefits like blood pressure for example. Therefore, meditation and mindfulness are powerful tools to promote overall health and well-being – The perfect hobby to pick up in 2023. 

How to know if mindfulness & medication are for you

Here at Naturecan, we don’t know who wouldn't want to start meditating! But if you’re unsure whether you really need mindfulness and meditation, keep reading for the signs you may need to give yourself a little more me-time this season: 

• Excessive worry or anxiety/frequent negative thoughts 
• Difficulty sleeping/constant fatigue 
• Easily irritated/mood swings
• Difficulty concentrating
• Low motivation & self-esteem 
• Difficulty relaxing 
• Physical tension (such as headaches) 
• Lack of appreciation for the present moment 
• A feeling of disconnection from others 
• A lack of fulfilment with life
• Difficulty finding joy in everyday activities

Of course, don’t be alarmed if you feel a few of these emotions from time to time. However, if you feel any of these emotions more times than not, it may be time to speak to your Doctor, along with implementing meditation into your daily routine.

Types of meditation & mindfulness you can practice today

There are many types of meditation and mindfulness practices you can pick up. Each practice has its own unique focuses and techniques. Here are a few examples: 

• Loving-kindness meditation involves repeating phrases of love to oneself and others. This is completed silently. 
• Concentration meditation involves focusing on something, like the breath or a mantra for a period of time. 
• Mindfulness meditation is one of the most popular practices, which involves bringing one's attention to the present moment without judgement. 
• Movement meditation involves focusing on the body, such as yoga or tai chi. 

There are many other forms of meditation, but we recommend starting with mindfulness meditation if you’re a beginner.

To begin your meditation session, simply: 

• Find a quiet, comfortable place to sit or lie down.
• Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. 
• When the mind wanders (which it will), gently redirect it back to focus. 
• Start with a few minutes a day and gradually increase the length of practice.

What are the benefits of mindfulness practice?

Mindfulness is the practice of bringing one’s attention to the present moment. Therefore, it can be an effective way to reduce anxiety and increase overall happiness if practised correctly over a period of time.

Additionally, mindfulness has been shown to potentially improve physical health by reducing blood pressure, improving sleep and decreasing chronic pain. Mindfulness can also help individuals to communicate more effectively and respond to difficult situations with patience and understanding. Thus, mindfulness can be a valuable tool to promote mental and physical well-being. 

Meditation & CBD: How can we benefit?

Cannabidiol (CBD), is a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. It has been shown to have many potential health benefits. Many of which, can aid in meditation. One study found that CBD can potentially health to reduce anxiety and improve sleep. Both of these factors can be extremely beneficial for those trying to incorporate meditation into their everyday routine.

Furthermore, CBD has been shown to potentially reduce pain and inflammation. This can make it much easier to relax your body and focus on the present moment during meditation. CBD may also have a positive impact on mood, which can create a positive and relaxed state of mind during meditation. 

Which CBD Product should I buy? 

It's safe to say that choosing the right CBD oil for meditation can be confusing. Here at Naturecan, we have many different CBD strengths available ranging from 5%-40%. The strength of a CBD oil refers to the amount of Cannabidiol (CBD) present within each bottle. A general rule is the greater the strength, the more potent the potential CBD effects will be.

Which CBD Oil is best for me? When considering which CBD oil is right for your own meditation, it's important to consider your needs and preferences, as everybody is different. If you are just beginning your CBD journey and wondering ‘which CBD Oil is best for me?’, we recommend starting with a low dose of 5% or 10%. This allows you to assess how your body responds to an initial dosage and if you feel comfortable, you can slowly begin to increase your CBD dosage. If you have been using CBD for a while, you may choose to increase your dosage to 30% - 40% to receive the potential CBD benefits of a higher-strength oil that works perfectly with your meditation and mindfulness routine.