You want to maintain a fit and lean body. You probably spend countless hours working hard and exercising to achieve that goal. The right mix of exercise and healthy behaviors can produce incredible results. One lifestyle choice that can give you a boost is cannabidiol (CBD). One of the many compounds found in hemp, it is known for several therapeutic properties. It is widely available in topical lotions, creams and ointments, drops and edibles like gummies. If you haven’t added it to your fitness routine, it may be time to consider how CBD could help you reach your fitness goals.
1. It Speeds Recovery Time
If you want to build muscle, you must first tear it down. The micro-tears that form in muscle tissue during an intense workout or lifting session result in hypertrophy -or muscle gains. In order for them to grow, however, your muscle must have a chance to properly recover between workouts. That is why trainers encourage alternating muscle groups or using cross-training techniques. You can still hit the gym, but you are spreading exercises over different groups of muscles.
Failure to allow for recovery can have some pretty serious consequences. One of the most notorious is delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). It shows up two or three days after your workout and is a sign you need to lay off for a little while as your body heals. Overdoing it can also lead to a strained or torn muscle or damage to other soft tissue. CBD has been shown to reduce inflammation and pain associated with micro-tears so that your muscles can heal faster, and you can get back to the gym quicker.
2. It Promotes Better Sleep
Rotating workouts isn’t the only way to give your body recovery time. Sleep is crucial to a host of metabolic processes that boost your overall health and fitness levels, which is why sleep is such an important part of your day. While most adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep each night, athletes and hard-core fitness enthusiasts may need more. After all, there are a lot of repairs to do after intense workouts. CBD helps with this by easing anxiety, quieting your mind and promoting restful behavior. It soothes and calms so you can fall asleep faster and stay that way all night. Some studies have even reported that cannabinoids help ease symptoms of insomnia.
3. It Boosts Performance
If your athletic performance is affected by stress or anxiety, the calming properties of CBD can give you a serious boost. There is also evidence that CBD can raise endurance levels, meaning you can train harder for longer periods of time. This is great news for athletes who struggle to maintain performance levels throughout a long workout or competition.
4. It Reduces Pain and Inflammation
CBD works within the endocannabinoid system to regulate pain and reduce inflammation. Applied topically, it can reduce pain and soreness associated with fitness activities. It may also be effective as a treatment for minor soft tissue injuries. There is more to the equation, though. CBD has been shown effective at managing chronic pain so, if you have been limiting physical activity because of pain, it may allow you to return to fitness activities and sports you have been avoiding.
5. It Improves Your Mood
CBD is gaining popularity as a mood regulator. Several studies have detailed how it reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression. It has even been successfully used to treat PTSD. Since there is a link between these feelings and a desire to exercise, this can be critical to getting you up and moving. It also helps magnify the positive feelings generated through exercising. If you have ever heard of a “runner’s high”, then you know that exercise can create a feeling of euphoria. However, not everyone experiences that effect. CBD results in elevated endorphin production within your body. You feel happier, less stressed and better able to tackle whatever is in front of you.
CBD is an excellent tool that should be part of your everyday fitness routine. It offers serious benefits that can help you get results faster, easier and with less pain.
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