Let’s be honest. We are collectively knackered. As many as 16 million UK adults are suffering from sleepless nights as a third (31%) say they have insomnia. Two thirds (67%) of UK adults suffer from disrupted sleep and nearly a quarter (23%) manage no more than five hours a night. And given that sleep deprivation is a leading contributor to mood changes and personality dips, we’re a grumpy nation as well. To be frank, we’re tired of being of being tired and we’re open to trying new solutions to get a peaceful night’s rest.
Recent studies have shown CBD to be a promising way to achieve a better quality night’s sleep. However, studies often look past the fact that a poor’s night rest is often attributable to underlying conditions. For some of us, a lack of sleep is from a physical condition which creates discomfort or pain. Arthritis and chronic joint pain can prevent a comfortable night’s sleep. Additionally, be it through stress from overwork or financial strain, anxiety is often a leading underlying reason why people find themselves staring at the ceiling, counting sheep into the early hours. As such, although CBD is an option to consider, differing underlying conditions means that the effects of CBD may vary. Even if CBD isn’t a magic bullet answer, it has been shown to significantly improve our ability to catch some zzz’s.
To identify the right CBD oil for you, the following steps are highly useful.
Confirm what is causing your lack of sleep
Remember; everyone is different. Having a poor night’s sleep could stem from one of three issues, or maybe a combination of all three. Either you (1) find it difficult to fall asleep; (2) you’re not able to remain sleeping or (3) the quality of your night-long sleep is poor.
If you fall into category 1, you may benefit from CBD in a format which is fast-acting. CBD tinctures, taken under the tongue before you hit the pillow. CBD vaporisers may also be useful as they can take effect in a little as 90 seconds.
Those of us who fall into categories 2 and 3 may benefit from slower acting but longer lasting CBD formats. CBD capsules and edibles (such as CBD tea, chocolate and gummies) may take between 20 to 40 minutes to kick in and last between 6 and 8 hours.
Integrate CBD into your pre-bedtime sleep routine
Your pre-bedtime routine is an important contributor to how you fall asleep and your sleep quality. Technology is a major factor. The blue light from smart phone screens has been proven to significantly impact sleep quality and some experts argue that it should be avoided for at least 4 hours before bedtime. That’s a difficult ask for many of us but even turning off the phone and switching off the TV for an hour before you aim to sleep will pay dividends. Keeping a regular schedule – preparing to go to sleep and hitting the sheets at the same time every evening – will train your body to expect your nighttime routine.
CBD can become a part of your pre-bedtime prep. Using CBD bath bombs, bath salts and body oil is a great way to absorb CBD. Baths have proven relax and boost moods. A good soak in the bath using a CBD transdermal product is a great way to unwind.
How will you know if CBD is right to alleviate your insomnia symptoms? Our recommendation is to try it in small doses in a format which meets your needs. It’s worth slowly increasing your dosage gradually and keeping a diary to record how your level of corresponded with the amount of CBD taken.
Should you have any further questions about how to use CBD to improve your sleep, please contact us via email hello@serenityboxco.com
