While the holidays are often full of joy and celebration, they can also leave many of us feeling overwhelmed and disconnected. Post-holiday stress can show up as mental noise, tension you feel in your head and muscles, and poor sleep that leaves you waking up without feeling refreshed.
January is a time for refocusing our commitments to health and self-care.
Why Stress Spikes After the Holidays (And Why It’s Normal)
The American Psychological Association found that nearly nine in 10 U.S. adults say something causes them stress during the holiday season. Many people come out of the holidays with few emotional reserves, only to be hit with even more stressors.
- Schedule whiplash: If you had time off work or have children who were off school, your schedule has probably been in a whirlwind for weeks. It can be difficult to return to normal sleep schedules, and returning to the office or job site can leave you feeling a little disoriented.
- Social burnout: The holidays are often full of gatherings, and even the most pleasant interactions can drain our social batteries. When you add in the pressures of workplace get-togethers, stressful interactions with family members who don’t see eye-to-eye, and traveling to and from all of these events, you can feel drained. Many of us crave solitude and quiet, but returning to work schedules and obligations makes them hard to find.
- Winter constraints: On top of everything else, the days are short, and the temperatures are low, making it harder to get outside and enjoy fresh air and sunshine. The winter blues are a well-documented phenomenon, and they don’t make the post-holiday slump any easier to overcome.
Marijuana for Post-Holiday Recovery: Picking the Right Format
What are the best cannabis strains to reduce stress? If you’re looking for weed for relaxation after the post-holiday chaos, we’ve got format and strain recommendations.
Best Indica Strains for Relaxation
These options are perfect for unwinding and getting a great night’s sleep. Build a ritual around your consumption for stronger effects. Perhaps pair it with a cup of tea and some journaling, or gentle music and a candle.
- Kept Secret from Local Leaf: This indica-forward strain will leave you feeling sleepy and relaxed.
- Moon Pebbles from Gould Farms: An indica strain that’s perfect in bowl-sized bites.
- Mr. Nasty from Casco Botanical: GMO Cookies x Grease Monkey strain with roasted garlic, salami, and aged Muenster flavors.
- Double Lemon Cherry Gelato from Local Leaf: Another winner for an evening of fading in and out of heady bliss with an indica-hybrid strain.
Edibles for Longer Evenings
Zoning out isn’t always desirable…or possible. If you’re looking for cannabis edibles for stress options that will help you feel relaxed and social on long days, check out these picks.
- The Grinch Hash Rosin Gummies from Crooked Jaw Farm: This balanced hybrid blend will leave you feeling uplifted and calm.
- Mandarin Mango Mixers from Squier’s Elixirs: If everyone else is reaching for a cocktail, join in with a more uplifting alternative with a delicious THC mixer.
- Black Cherry Sunrise Gumdrops from Zenia: Known for delivering a balanced, enjoyable buzz with a burst of flavor and an energizing profile.
If you’re new to edibles or are looking for a gentler buzz, start small. Many consumers opt for half of a gummy or choose low-dose options. Since edibles have a delayed onset, make sure you give them time to kick in before taking more.
CBD for Anxiety Relief
Some excellent self-care routines grow out of cannabis’ calming properties found in CBD. Choosing CBD-forward options can provide a sense of relaxation and a quiet, focused mind without the psychedelic effects of THC.
- Sola CBD Gummies from Sola Edibles: Full-spectrum, plant-based edibles in watermelon flavor.
- Maine Wild Berry CBD Gumdrops from Zenia: Full-spectrum CBD gumdrops with 10mg CBD per piece and 200mg CBD per pack.
3 Steps to Build a Self-Care Routine You’ll Actually Stick With
As you pull yourself from post-holiday overwhelm, focus on creating routines that will last well after New Year’s resolutions have fallen by the wayside. Consider this three-step routine for lasting success:
- Design your environment: Put your phone out of reach, dim the lights, and make sure you have comfy seating with calming sounds.
- Focus on simple habits: Whether it’s always using a specific tray to roll your blunt, sipping THC-infused tea from your favorite mug, or starting with a specific yoga sequence, choose a habit that serves as a clear signal to your brain that it’s time to wind down.
- Aim for consistency over intensity: Some days, your mind won’t settle, and the stress won’t melt away, but if you focus on consistency and keep your routine going even on hard days, you’ll see results.
When it’s time to stock up for your cannabis wellness routine, come to Local Leaf in Portland. Our budtenders help you find and compare the most effective cannabis for stress relief.
