As a full-time working mom, life can get overwhelming. Between balancing my career, household responsibilities, and the endless needs of my little ones, finding ways to unwind and relax at the end of the day has always been a priority. I've long been an advocate of using natural products to manage stress and promote well-being. From the smells to meditation, from herbal teas to yoga, I tried many ways to work my way round naturally from this feeling of busyness that defines my days. It would still be harder to really de-stress in the evening.
For years-just like most people in my place, well-I steered course for red wine. It is my little luxury, my signal to the brain and the body that finally, at last, the day is over and it is time to relax. Then I would pour a glass, maybe two, whenever the kids were finally sleeping. It was in those moments that wine was earned-a prize that would steep the day's stress away and get some small margin of time to oneself restored.
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The Wine Habit: A Dear and Unwelcome Companion
One glass of wine to start had seemed harmless, and honestly, it was nice: sit down with a rich glass of Merlot after a long day of meetings, diaper changes, and dinner prep-well, that helped me unwind. In no time, though, that one glass sometimes became two. And before I knew it, I was going through one or two bottles a week. And at 20 to 30 dollars a bottle this was getting to be an expensive habit. And not always making me feel my best, as it were.
That did work just then, although the wine was making subtle changes that I began to realize. Even just one glass some nights would leave me groggy the next morning; I would wake up with a slight headache or just a general feeling of sluggishness. According to the Sleep Foundation, consuming alcohol before bed can lead to frequent wakings and overall low-quality sleep. As a busy mother with a demanding job, no feeling other than being fully energized was one I was affording to feel. Of course, I was nowhere near heavy drinking, but that little voice had crept in-maybe there was a better way out there to get this feeling sans the side effects.
A New Way to Unwind: Indica Gummies
It was time for a change. Deep down, I knew I really didn't want wine anymore to be the way I night-capped every night, so I started searching out other options. I wanted something natural yet effective for unwinding without the grogginess of the alcohol at times. That's when I heard of indica hemp gummies.
I am into all things natural, and I knew the growth that CBD and hemp-based relaxants had been going through, but mostly, I read good things about it; I didn't know if it really worked. It wasn't until I read some reviews from moms going through similar situations that I actually did a little research myself. I learned a lot about Sativa and Indica gummies from legal THC company Simple Leaf and that Indica is better at nighttime while Sativa is better in the daytime.
The first night that I took one, I was amazingly surprised. It wasn't that "instant knock-you-out" feeling at all, but in about 30 minutes came a wave of calm. My mind went from racing with everything I'd be doing the next day to calming down as my body began to relax, ready to let go of the day. But more importantly, the following morning I woke up fresh-no headache, no lightheaded sensation-a clear head and an agile body, raring to go for a whole new day.
Trying out various brands
None of these were perfect with the very first shot when taking hemp gummies, much like everything else: it's all about trying a few different brands before finding out what works. Some of these gummies were just weak-I didn't feel anything, really. Others just Knocked. Me. Out.
After trying so many of them, it finally came: the balance that I was looking for was there. The indica gummies I am taking at the moment get me to the evening with a soft feeling of relaxation, without knocking me out. What I really enjoy is when I take one in the evening, watch a show, or do some reading, and then when I'm ready to go to sleep, I feel centered and relaxed. Then I wake up in the morning totally rested-no residual side effects at all.
Enter Better REM Sleep: The Game Changer
The coolest change I think I have felt since I started the use of these products is the way I started sleeping. I track my sleep through an application, and once I started taking indicia gummies at nighttime, this really improved the time spent in the REM stage of my sleep. According to research from the University of Pennsylvania, CBD may hold the key for better REM sleep
Of course, after taking wine, I would fall asleep quicker, but quality sleep was always elusive. I would lie restlessly, turning from this side to that, waking up two to three times every night. Of course, my sleep app would show a reflection of fragmented sleep cycles, spending very little time in deep or REM sleep, which is just so crucial for mental restoration, generally for health.
Since finally switching to hemp gummies, my app has shown a consistent uptick in REM sleep. This isn't just about falling asleep quicker, though-I've been staying asleep longer and finally getting that deep, restorative sleep my body really needs. That's what makes all the difference, and now I'm finally waking up refreshed, ready to take on whatever the day brings, something I hadn't realized was missing until I made the switch.
Why Hemp Gummies Are the Perfect Nightcap
So, here are a couple of reasons why hemp gummies have recently become my new go-to method of night-time relaxation. First and foremost, they offer the needed relaxation sans any bad side effects. Unlike wine, which at times has left me in a fog or dehydrated the morning after, hemp gummies give me a clean, natural way to relax and de-stress. No hangover, no grogginess-just pure calm and better sleep.
They are more economic; while I used to spend from $20 to $30 every several days for wine, one jar of gummies costs around $40 and lasts almost all month. serve much longer and by far cheaper. It means a double plus for my health and budget.
Lastly, I feel that I'm setting a better example for my kids. Huge for me: being able to model healthy behaviors, having the ability to take natural, plant-based products like hemp gummies, which aligns with the values that I have always tried to instill in my family. I really do feel great, knowing I found a way to deal with stress and unwind that's healthy, natural, and sustainable.
Final Comments
Let me say, my transition from red wine to indica hemp gummies changed my life. I found a new nightly unwind that didn't bring along all the fuzziness the next day from alcohol, and honestly, I'd never slept better. To all the career-driven mothers out there, if you're looking for a natural way to take the edge off after an insane day, I highly suggest trying hemp gummies. Literally, they have become my nightcap for chaotic life, and I couldn't look back to anything else since then.
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