A holistic, guilt free, health journey
When medicating with cannabis, it’s natural to engage in activities like listening to music, watching a film, exercising, or taking a walk in the park. These activities can actually complement the therapeutic effects of cannabis, and feeling guilty about enjoying yourself during this time is unnecessary. Here’s why this is not only okay, but part of a holistic, positive health journey:
1. Enhancing the Therapeutic Effects of Cannabis
Rather than feeling guilty, patients should embrace these moments as essential components of their self-care and healing process. Letting go of guilt and recognizing the value of enjoyment in treatment can lead to better health outcomes and a more balanced, fulfilling life.
1. Enhancing the Therapeutic Effects of Cannabis
- Mood Elevation and Stress Reduction: Cannabis is often used to manage anxiety, stress, or depression. Engaging in activities that bring you joy—whether it’s music, film, or exercise—works in synergy with cannabis to elevate mood, reduce stress, and promote relaxation. This combination can amplify the positive mental health effects of cannabis, leading to better outcomes.
- Mind-Body Connection: Exercising or walking in nature while medicating enhances the mind-body connection. Cannabis can heighten your awareness of physical sensations, which helps in grounding yourself during movement or relaxation activities. This can deepen the overall therapeutic experience and create a sense of well-being.
- Distraction from Pain and Discomfort: Watching a film, listening to music, or taking a peaceful walk can serve as gentle distractions, helping patients manage pain or discomfort more effectively. These activities shift focus away from the negative sensations and, together with cannabis, create a multi-layered relief from physical or mental symptoms.
- Reducing Anxiety or Overthinking: For patients who tend to overthink or experience heightened anxiety while medicating, doing something engaging—like an artistic hobby or light exercise—helps to prevent feelings of unease. Cannabis can calm the mind, and pairing it with a favorite activity helps reinforce relaxation and focus.
- Healing Doesn't Have to Be Solemn: Healing isn’t always about suffering or deprivation. Enjoyment and pleasure are part of the recovery and wellness process. When you engage in activities that bring you joy while medicating, you're tapping into your body's natural ability to heal through positive emotional states. The release of endorphins and dopamine from these enjoyable activities works hand in hand with cannabis to improve overall health.
- Combating Guilt with Self-Care: Feeling guilt about enjoying yourself while medicating stems from the stigma associated with both cannabis use and the idea that treatment should always feel like work. But self-care is an essential part of the healing process. Whether it’s indulging in a good film, listening to music, or going for a peaceful walk, these are not just moments of pleasure—they’re acts of nurturing yourself.
- Boosting Mental and Emotional Health: When you combine cannabis with uplifting or relaxing activities, you are not just treating physical symptoms; you are enhancing your mental and emotional health. Cannabis can improve your mood, and the positive associations with the activities can multiply the beneficial effects on your overall well-being.
- Encouraging Physical Movement: For some, cannabis helps with conditions like chronic pain, muscle stiffness, or inflammation. Engaging in gentle exercise like stretching or walking while medicating can promote physical rehabilitation and mobility. The combination of movement and cannabis can lead to better flexibility, muscle relaxation, and pain management.
- Enjoying Life as Medicine: The idea that patients must always suffer during treatment is outdated. Cannabis is a versatile medicine that interacts with your body in ways that enhance both your physical health and mental state. Part of the journey is learning that healing can be joyful and relaxing, and that these feelings are valid parts of your medical routine.
- Let Go of the Guilt: If your body and mind feel better, that's a sign that the medicine and your chosen activities are working together harmoniously. There is no need to feel guilty about enjoying the process. In fact, feeling good emotionally can accelerate recovery, as emotional wellness is closely tied to physical health.
- Structured Time for Self-Care: Incorporating activities like music, films, or nature walks while medicating can be part of a therapeutic ritual—a time that is dedicated solely to your well-being. This ritual fosters consistency in both medication and self-care, leading to long-term positive health outcomes. The focus is not just on the medicine but on how it fits into your life to create balance, peace, and healing.
- Building Positive Associations with Cannabis: By pairing cannabis use with activities you enjoy, you’re creating positive associations with your treatment. This can help you feel more empowered about your medication and its role in your healing journey, breaking free from feelings of guilt or stigma.
Rather than feeling guilty, patients should embrace these moments as essential components of their self-care and healing process. Letting go of guilt and recognizing the value of enjoyment in treatment can lead to better health outcomes and a more balanced, fulfilling life.