It is normal to feel stress from time to time. However, the stress and fear can add up, wearing on your body and becoming persistent.

What causes irrational fear and stress?

The parts of the brain that are most active during irrational fears and stress are the amygdala and hippocampus.

The amygdala is a small almond-shaped structure inside the brain that processes incoming sensory information and alerts the rest of the brain that there is a perceived threat, which in turn triggers stress and panic.

When a person has significant stress over a certain event, the hippocampus, the part of the brain that stores memories and associated responses, cements the “fight or flight” response as the normal reaction to that event.

Essentially, this reptilian part of your brain is misfiring, based on prior experience, projecting that experience on to the moment, reality, creation as it is.

Simply realizing this fact is enough to help with panic and a lot of unnecessary stress.

Focusing on your current surroundings is crucial, because 99% of the time your environment is far less threatening than the situations playing out in your mind.

It’s telling the truth about the situation at hand.

Where are your feet?

And, as time goes on, you can “coach” your overactive brain into acceptance if you push yourself.

How CBD Can Help

Taking CBD will support healthy brain function in general by boosting your endocannabinoid system into drive.

An active and high functioning endocannabinoid system supports a balanced amygdala and hippocampus.

CBD also helps with some of the downstream effects of stress and fear, by supporting healthy and balanced hormones, some of which like cortisol can be over-produced from stress.

*If you ever stress out over ingesting too much THC, a dose of CBD will fix that instantly, relaxing you from the fear.

Other Ways to Help Chill

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

This therapy helps you see the connection between thoughts, feelings and behavior.

Exercise

This helps to burn stress, regulate mood, help sleep and increase levels of serotonin.

Sleep

8 hours a day as a goal.

Make Healthy Foods Common in Your Diet

Eating healthy isn’t really a choice, it’s a necessity. Avoid fried foods, alcohol, caffeine, and processed foods. Eat fresh, local, and as pure as you can get.

Choosing Calming Media vs. Inciting

Sure, watching an action movie might be fun after a long day, but it will likely add more stress to your system which needs a break.

How do you de-stress?