Author: Karen

Coronavirus Anxiety: Coping with Stress, Fear, and Worry

At the beginning of 2020, many people were optimistic about how this new year would go. Cut to near the end of 2020 when most people are stressed out and trying to avoid the Coronavirus. If 2020 has taught us anything it is that Americans are both resilient and committed to maintaining a sense of order even in the midst of a global pandemic. Thousands of people in the United States have contracted the Coronavirus in the last few months. https://www.horizonhelpgroup.com/

If you are like most people, the thought of catching this virus is something that freaks you out a bit. For people who already had anxiety before COVID-19, this pandemic has added a new level of worry to their life. Instead of letting Coronavirus anxiety get the better of you, consider the great tips in this article on how to cope with your problems.

Talking to Someone About Your Problems

Identifying the things that trigger your anxiety is crucial when trying to get better. Talking through your problems with a certified mental health professional can help you get this information. Some people make the mistake of bottling their feelings up and burying them deep within. While this may work temporarily, it will generally lead to a breakdown in the future.

This is why you need to take control of your Coronavirus anxiety by reaching out to an experienced counselor for help. Companies like Horizon Counseling Services can help you manage your stress and anxiety. Going to therapy sessions on a regular basis will also give you an outlet to talk about other problems in your life.

Preparation Can Help Calm Your Anxiety

The COVID-19 pandemic has made a number of people feel helpless. This feeling of helplessness is usually accompanied by a significant increase in anxiety and stress. If you feel like you are spinning out due to these types of feelings, you need to work on getting prepared. Doing things like researching COVID-19 health guidelines and buying the right PPE is a wise move.

By doing this, you can calm your fears a bit and do your part to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Ignoring the need for this type of preparation during this pandemic can result in a number of problems developing over time.

Find Ways to Take Your Mind Off of COVID-19

Instead of taking pharmaceuticals to treat your anxiety, you need to find natural ways to control these feelings. Finding a hobby or volunteering with a local charity can help you focus on more important things. By participating in these activities regularly, you can get a break from the bad news about this pandemic. Throughout the quarantine, Americans have rediscovered old passions and embraced new hobbies in an attempt to keep their sanity. While you may have to try a few different activities before you find one you like, it will be worth the effort you invest.

Putting These Tips to Good Use

Now that you know how to get rid of your Coronavirus anxiety, it is time to get to work. Implementing the tips in this article can help you reduce your anxiety levels significantly.

 

Outdoor Tents and Their Uses

Returning to a normal life, like the one we had pre-Covid, is on the minds of millions of Americans across the land. While we might not be able to do a lot of what we used to think of as “normal” (like going to the movies, hanging out in restaurants, etc) for a long time, one thing we can still do is go outside and spend time in nature. This benefits you and your family both mentally and physically. The fresh air, sunshine, and natural surroundings make you feel good and provide a platform for partaking in many activities. With outdoor tents, you can host small socially-distanced gatherings and have a protective cover for many events.  

Eco-Friendly Materials

With an emphasis on the environment and going green, many tents today are made of high-quality, eco-friendly materials. Polyester and cotton canvas are two materials commonly found. The combination gives you weather-resistance to the elements, protecting you from rain and wind. A cotton lining provides insulation, absorbs moisture, and is breathable, making your outdoor experience comfortable. The materials are also lightweight and durable, allowing for long-term enjoyment. 

Camping Trips

When it comes to a real camping experience, many people pitch a tent and set up a campfire. It’s a tradition that dates back decades. Today tents look pretty much the same as their predecessors, only modernized to accommodate lifestyle changes. Many tents today have slots for small electronic devices and built-in storage to keep your essentials safe, dry, and secure. Mesh inserts allow for improved ventilation and comfort. Optional sunroofs make gazing at the stars easier. You’ll also find most include a floor to prevent moisture and bugs from entering.

Tailgating Parties

Tailgating is something people look forward to prior to a sporting event. They get to the stadium hours before the game and set up their custom tents and more. These large pop-up tents are open, allowing people to come and go with ease while offering safe cover, which is especially beneficial during the cooler months and on rainy days. They provide a way to prepare food on the grill, set up tables, and enjoy the pre-game event in style. 

Outdoor Weddings

When it comes to planning an outdoor wedding, large canopy tents are a must. Typically, found in white, they add natural beauty to the special day. Most come equipped to handle string lights and built-in wire management. If there’s wind or unexpected rain, it’s not an issue. You can set up enclosed tents with canopy sides and faux dressings to enhance the look.

Birthday Parties

Whether your child is turning 5 or a parent is turning 70, outdoor tents are a wonderful accessory for any birthday party. For a kid’s party, you can use a tent to hold the presents and cake. For an older person’s birthday celebration, you can set up a large tent or a few pop-up tents and add long tables and chairs. 

Fairs/Markets

Open canopy tents offer a fantastic way to sell products at fairs and flea markets. Relatively cheap to rent, you can use one for a week or so and attract many potential customers. If you prefer to buy a tent, you can have your company name and logo added. At farmers’ markets, farmers often use these types of tents to reduce their exposure to the elements and allow customers to view their selection of produce quickly. 

Music Festivals

To protect musical instruments from the elements, musicians who perform seasonal outdoor concerts in parks often use tents. They have a wide-open front that allows the audience to see them and sides that prevent rain and wind from causing harm. They are tall enough to accommodate the addition of a platform base.

Tents offer shelter from the elements, allowing you to host wonderful parties, activities, and events outside. Many are made of high-quality, eco-friendly materials to stay true to your green lifestyle and include beneficial features to make your time outdoors convenient and comfortable.

How to Approach Your Household Chores in an Eco-Conscious Way

Eco-consciousness doesn’t require much of a radical change in your way of life. They’re more of minor adjustments. For example, you can start by approaching your household chores in an eco-conscious way.

There are several ways you can accomplish these, as listed below.

 

Make changes to your laundry routine

A simple change that you can do in your laundry routine that will help you be more eco-conscious is to stop using warm water to wash your clothes.

The energy you’re using to heat the water is unnecessary. You can still have clean laundry even if you’re using cold water to wash them.

Next time you wash your clothes, turn off your washing machine’s heating system, so it doesn’t automatically heat the water for you.

 

Dispose of all your hazardous cleaners

It is impressive how hazardous to our bodies the cleaners that we use in our homes are. There’s a reason why there are warning labels on these cleaners.

If you want to be more eco-conscious, you might want to dispose of all your hazardous cleaners. After all, if these cleaners are harmful to you, they’re going to be detrimental to the environment as well.

At Planet Maids Home Cleaning Services NYC, we use a lot of green cleaning cleaners upon request.

Green cleaning solutions are quite affordable and are more available and easy to get than one would think. Some are in the same aisle as the usual cleaning agents that you currently use.

If you’re so inclined, you can even make these cleaning solutions from home.

 

Repurpose old towels into cleaning rags

Plenty of households have a reliance on paper towels to wipe away spills and messes. However, there’s a more eco-conscious and affordable way of getting rid of spills, and these are cleaning rags.

All you need is to wash them, and then you can use them again after that.

You can also make cleaning rags out of old clothes or even towels. If you have an old towel lying around, all you need to do is cut that into little squares, and you’ve got yourself a cleaning rag.

It’s less wasteful, and you aren’t spending money all the time to replace them.

 

Switch to biodegradable cleaning materials

Besides replacing your cleaning solutions, it would help if you replace your cleaning tools with biodegradable materials.

Of course, don’t throw them out if they are still functional. Otherwise, that in itself is wasteful and not the most eco-conscious step.

However, if you need to replace them, make the switch to biodegradable cleaning materials.

There are plenty of brushes, mops, and even waste bags that are made from biodegradable alternatives. Should you ever need to throw these cleaning materials away, you won’t have to worry about adding to the mounds of trash around the world. NYC office cleaning companies like Maid Marines, use eco-friendly products.

 

Throw out your air fresheners

If you want to make your home smell good, don’t buy those air fresheners. Many better alternatives will do the job in a better way without potentially harming the environment.

Instead of air fresheners, why don’t you create your version of a potpourri at home? All you need are some herbs, cinnamon, cloves, and maybe apples and oranges.

Boiling these together creates a pleasant smell that will spread throughout your house. If you want a neutral smell, having plants around is the way to go.

 

Remove mold naturally

If you’ve removed all the harsher cleaning agents in your home, you might think that you don’t have a chance of eliminating mold and mildew.

However, there are also household items that you can use to help you dislodge them with ease. All you need to have is to let the problem areas soak with vinegar for a few hours before scrubbing.

To bring out the big guns, make water and baking soda paste and use it on those areas and start cleaning away gently.

 

Reduce water usage

To be eco-conscious also means not to use resources excessively. For example, you should reduce water usage as much as possible, including when you’re cleaning your house.

If you want to reduce the amount of water you use when cleaning your house, try and invest in effective cleaners.

There are pollutant-free cleaners out there that don’t need the help of water to work. All you need to do is spray them on your floors or other areas, and they’re good.

 

Recycle what you can

Even as a kid, we all know the 3R’s of reducing, reusing, and recycling. Let’s focus on the latter part.

There are plenty of items or trash in our home that may not be useful for their original use. Instead of throwing them away, contact your nearest recycling center and ask them which recyclable items you can send over to them.

Instead of sending your trash to landfills, you can be more proactive in your trash management by getting them recycled.

 

Over to You

Starting your eco-conscious journey by being more aware of how you manage your household chores is an approachable entry.

Of course, once you start doing the things listed above, you’ll slowly begin incorporating that in other areas of your life.

It’s a pleasant change that’s both good for you and the environment!

What Goes Where: 7 Indoor Plants and the Best-Fitting Rooms For Each

There are many reasons why a person should own an indoor plant or two. Plants add beauty to a room and clean the air. Further, plants add humidity by releasing water as vapor. Here’s a look at several indoor plants and where they fit in your home.

How to Select an Indoor Plant

How do you select a healthy plant? First, choose plants with a healthy root system. The healthiest roots are light-colored and thick. Next, look at the plant’s leaves. There should be no dead leaves, discoloration, or signs of insects. What type of plant should you buy? Go for a plant that you like. Most plants can adapt to your home. Green plants are beautiful as well as exotic blooms like one may see in Kanoa Hawaii.

#1 Peace Lily

The Peace Lily is an evergreen with beautiful foliage that looks good in any room. It’s a showy plant, so consider placing it in the living room or foyer. The trick to owning a peace lily is to coax the plant to bloom. Peace Lilies produce white blooms periodically. The secret is a well-lit room brings on blooms. This lilly is a tropical plant and needs to be kept in temperatures above 60 degrees.

#2 Orchids

Orchids come in several varieties with different lighting needs. Choose an orchid based on the lighting in your home. Orchids make a great centerpiece on the dining room table. Likewise, orchids make the perfect decoration in a living room. Some orchids like humidity, so the plant would fit well in a bathroom that gets some light.

#3 Schefflera

A Schefflera goes well in the family room or living room. In addition, the evergreen complements a home office. This houseplant likes bright light and can be placed outside when the temperatures stays above 45 degrees. Scheffleras tolerate medium light but the plant’s growth slows.

#4 Parlor Palm

Parlor Palms thrive in bright light or filtered light. This elegant plant looks good in a solarium or in the living room. Parlor Palms should be watered thoroughly when an inch of soil is dry.

#5 Jade Plant

The Jade Plant is an evergreen succulent. Most succulents are at home in the family room or solarium. Jade plants need full sun and limited watering. They should only be watered when the soil feels dry, but the plants may have a growth spurt if taken outside in the summer.

#6 Snake Plant

A recent study indicates that plants in the office give workers energy. Try a snake plant in your home office. Snake plants have tall colorful leaves. Interestingly, the snake plant is native to Africa and has a lot of nicknames. It’s often called St. George’s Sword and Mother-In-Law’s Tongue. Snake plants are also known to be very easy to care for.

#7 Weeping Fig

The Weeping Fig is a sturdy member of the ficus family. Weeping figs belong in a dining room with a high ceiling. The Weeping Fig is a tree and can grow ten feet tall. The tree prefers bright light and doesn’t like to be tampered with. This means it likes to be left alone. Report the Weeping Fig and expect to drop some leaves. However, the leaves grow back quickly.

Indoor plants brighten up any home and help to freshen the air. Make sure you buy healthy plants and give them the correct environment. Try one plant and you’ll be addicted.

Eco-Friendly Fun: The Importance of Play

Playing is a vitally important part of any dog’s life. From lowering rates of canine aggression, establishing good behaviours and habits and developing motor skills, engaging your dog with stimulating and fun activities is an essential part of making him healthy, happy and fun to be around. With a wide range of eco-friendly dog products from Wild Thought, it has never been easier and more fun to keep your dog healthy whilst also caring for the planet and being eco friendly.

 

Strengthening bonds

A recent study conducted by Bristol University found that playing with your dog regularly helps to strengthen the all-important bond between canine and human. The study found that the frequency of play is likely to be an indicator of the quality of dog-owner relationships. Wild Thought’s range of eco-friendly toys offers you a myriad of responsible ways to play with your dog and strengthen that all-important relationship between man and his best friend. As they are made from natural ingredients, the toys offered by Wild Thought ensure that you can build a happy relationship with your dog whilst also maintaining a positive relationship with your environment and the world around you.

 

Motor skills

Playing with toys can also help dogs to develop their motor skills. Toys such as the Spring Fruit Treat Dispenser develop dogs’ problem-solving skills and their motor skills whilst also having a minimum impact on the environment.

 

A quiet life

More play means less whining and disobedience. Play reduces anxiety in dogs and helps to train them to be obedient. The more you play with your dog, the more you will be able to reinforce the good habits that make being a dog owner a joy. It is easy to use toys like the Natural Eco Rubber Flyer to teach your dog to fetch and return an item. This type of play offers the opportunity to reward and praise your dog, and in turn, this makes him more obedient and settled. Developing these habits early on in your relationship with your dog can save a lot of effort and upset later on.

 

Social skills

Your dog’s ability to be sociable with people and other dogs is key to happy and successful ownership. Walks become an anxiety-filled burden when your dog looks to attack every dog he meets. Making sure that your dog is calm and welcoming to your visitors is also important – not everyone enjoys being pounced upon, licked and hassled! Playing with your dog will help to make him a more sociable creature, and will encourage him to act in a socially acceptable way around other dogs and people. Being a dog owner should be fun, not stressful.

3 Staples to Include in a Healthy and Natural Everyday Diet

Are you looking to transition to a healthy more natural everyday diet? Do you feel as though you’re not giving your body enough vitamins and nutrients to perform at its peak levels? If so, you’re not alone, as it has been a real trend as of late to start questioning what you eat, where the ingredients are sourced from, and how you can make things more natural and healthier overall.

While it may seem overwhelming to completely overhaul your diet, making a few small changes to get started can be much less intimidating and act as a launching pad to better choices down the road. So, here are three staples you’ll want to include right away.

Oatmeal – the Ultimate Breakfast Food

Are you like many others who find it difficult to get up and get moving in the mornings? Are you really slow to wake up and find that energy to carry you through the day? If so, it’s probably time to switch up your breakfast routine, and oatmeal is just the way to do that.

Oatmeal has all kinds of wonderful benefits such as the fact that it keeps you feeling fuller for longer, which means you can make it to lunchtime without having to reach for the biscuit tin. It also helps to keep your cholesterol at a healthy level, is high in soluble fiber, and it helps to limit your risk of developing heart disease. Considering how many different ways you can eat oatmeal, including all the different mix-ins and toppings, you won’t get bored of it any time soon.

Dark Leafy Green Vegetables are the Ideal Side Dish 

As you browse through the produce aisle, you’re going to want to be sure you grab a supply of dark green leafy vegetables such as kale, collard greens, arugula, Romaine lettuce, dandelion greens, spinach, broccoli, and Swiss chard. 

These are all high in such vitamins as K, C, A, and folate. Not only that, but they are also packed full of calcium, iron, and fiber. In other words, they do your body a whole lot of good. They can act as the perfect side dish to a variety of meals.

Filtered Water Should be the Beverage of Choice

Of course, your diet is made up of more than just food – you also need beverages. Most people are well aware of just how important water is to your body, as it works to re-hydrate your body throughout the day, help with digestion, regulate your body temperature, and basically keep your body functioning well. At the same time, you want to be picky about the water you’re putting into your body to ensure it is free of containments.

Installing your own home water filtration system is typically the best plan. You’ll always have a fresh supply of clean natural water at your fingertips. Be sure to check out this “Everything Guide to Filters” to discuss the various filtration systems you can use, what their pros and cons are when to replace the filter, and more. 

Let This Be the Starting Point

Adding each of these items to your diet can be a simple starting point and really propel you to keep making more healthy choices.

Keto Diet: Seven Tips on How to Stick to Your Keto Lifestyle

The ketogenic (keto) diet has become prominent over the last couple of years, as a great method to lose weight and improve various health conditions, such as cholesterol, blood pressure, and sugar levels. It involves the power of calorie restriction with the benefits of nutritional ketosis to provide the body with energy from stored fat instead of glucose.

At the same time for some people counting calories, only eating certain foods, and having to cook more might sound extremely difficult and scary, even if you are someone with the strongest willpower. It is only natural to feel overwhelmed while embarking on any change, but with a healthy mindset and a few steps that can help you get into good habits, you won’t look back.

Keep Only Keto-Friendly Food In Your House

When you are hungry, it might become much easier to forget about your goals and cheat on a diet. Hunger is a strong motivator, and for this reason, it is best to be prepared and plan for the worst, especially if you are the only one in your family on a diet. Consider cleaning out your fridge and cupboards or at least hide carb-rich foods in a hard to access place. Cleaning your kitchen reduces temptation and the likelihood of consumption by eliminating foods that are not on your meal plan.

Plan Your Meals & Social Situations In Advance

Planning your meals and visits to restaurants and cafes in advance is a great way to stay on track during your keto diet. Each week mark in the calendar nutrition plan for the week, including snacks and how many meals you need when going out. Also, make sure to add eating in the office, social engagements, or unique circumstances that might impact your routine.

Once you determine how many meals you need, find healthy, low-carb recipes for each day of the week. From there, create your shopping list and hit the grocery store. You don’t have to prepare all meals at one time. You can just set aside 1-2 hours to chop vegetables, marinate protein, or cook parts of meals to stick to your diet.

Keep Healthy Snacks On Hand

Instilling good habits doesn’t happen overnight. That’s why it is essential to be fully prepared in case of unforeseen long hours at the office or hunger pains during the day.

Consider always keeping healthy snack options on hand to prevent a fast-food run or purchase of ‘bad choices’ at the corner store. Keto-friendly yogurt, sliced veggies, low-carb hummus, hard-boiled eggs, homemade trail mix, or bars are some of the possible good snacks.

Get Inspired

Successful and sustainable changes in your life require enjoyment along the way. Since food is an essential part of our life, enjoying your meals is not something you need to miss out on just because you maintain a keto diet.

Instead of running for the carbs, try to reconnect to your inner foodie, don’t get stuck in a repetitive mealtime, and find appropriate substitutes for the food you love. Luckily, there are so many great resources to discover the keto recipe of your dreams like purchasing a cookbook/guidebook or just searching in Google.

Try Out Help Of CBD Oil

While CBD oil is commonly used as a natural alternative and effective remedy for anxiety and pain relief, improved mood, concentration, and sleep, the intake of this product can also offer beneficial effects.

Cannabidiol (or CBD) is a generally safe, non-addictive, and non-psychoactive compound extracted from Cannabis Sativa plants. To provide positive CBD effects, it interacts with the endocannabinoid system involved in vital body functions such as sleep, appetite, stress, pain, inflammation, memory, mood, and many others. Therefore, CBD might promote weight loss by decreasing appetite, boosting metabolism, and activating the “browning” of fat cells.

You can incorporate CBD products into your daily cooking routine to add health benefits into a nutrition system and sustain a well-balanced, complete diet as well as spice up your cooking experience. The nutritional content of CBD oil can also provide your body with needed components like protein, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals such as vitamin E, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, etc.

Stick To A Fitness Plan

While you have made the one step in pursuing a healthier lifestyle by choosing a Keto diet, you also need to dedicate yourself to a regular workout regimen. In case you already have a workout routine, but you don’t do it often, try to add a few more days to your schedule. To maximize your results, make sure that you are getting into physical activity at least four times a week.

If fitness has never been your thing, there is a lot of easy options that you can use, and that requires a yoga mat and some dumbbells. You can find different at-home workouts on platforms like YouTube to help get you started. As an alternative, you can also look for gyms in your area to be sure you will prioritize the workout regimen.

Get Your Friends On Board

Since we are social animals, it can be hard to undergo such a substantial lifestyle change when everyone else carries on like before. Also, the word “diet” is typically associated with a negative connotation, resulting in a pessimistic attitude from your friends and family, even when dieting done for the right reasons. This can make you feel alienated and more likely to succumb to peer pressure. Instead, try to talk to your loved ones and explain that this is an essential change for you, and you would appreciate their support.

Alternatively, you can connect to like-minded people on various groups or forums on keto topics. Here you will feel understood and can share struggles and successes, encourage each other, and swap interesting recipes. When you use social support to your advantage and have individuals to share your questions, concerns, and accomplishments, it will be much easier for you to stay on the keto diet and achieve the results you want.

Five Ways to Shut off Your Brain & Fall Asleep Faster

When you are struggling to fall asleep at night, the vital moments of that journey are usually influenced by your brain’s ability to stop racing thoughts so you can sleep. Obviously, we all have stressful or challenging situations that keep gnawing at us, making it impossible to fall asleep. 

While there is no magic button that can deactivate thoughts or relax the brain, your bedtime habits might create a set of right associations for the body and mind. For an easy and peaceful time getting to sleep, try these four ways to prevent overthinking and prepare for healthy sleep.

Create A Pre-Sleep Routine

Consistent sleep and wake schedule is essential as well as setting bedtime routine. This helps you to establish a clear association between daily activities and sleep and program the internal clock to calm your busy brain, instead of you trying to force yourself to sleep.

To separate your day from the nighttime, incorporate at least 30 minutes for reading, soaking in a warm bath, taking a few minutes to journal, or listening to calming music before heading to bed. Such a ritual around your bedtime works as a signal for your body that it’s time to slow down and relax. 

Consider Using CBD Oil

CBD oil is a natural and safe alternative to traditional sleeping pills and medications. Intake of CBD products before bedtime helps to quiet your mind, relax the body, and prevent insomnia/hypersomnia for better night sleep.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is known to interfere with the body’s endocannabinoid system involved in many vital processes such as sleep, pain, stress, inflammation, immune system, memory, temperature, and others. Support of this system helps to give a needed boost to continue functioning properly. Potential benefits of CBD oil include pain, stress, and anxiety reduction, improved immunity, concentration, and mood, and regulation of sleep quality, among other useful functions.

Turn Off All Electronics

While it might be tempting to scroll up Instagram feeds or watch Netflix in bed, one of the best ways to get restful sleep is by switching off all the electronics such as the television, computer, iPad, and smartphone. Artificial light exposure disturbs your body’s circadian rhythm and enhances alertness, which can have a negative impact on the quality of rest. 

Try to refrain from texting on your cellphone, sending and answering emails on your computer. Instead, consider turning off your devices an hour before you are planning on going to bed to relax, let go off of the stressful thoughts, and concentrate on your sleep. 

Practice Mindful Breathing & Meditation

Mindful meditation and breathing exercises are considered effective practices for clearing your mind and getting yourself some peace. This helps in reducing worry and bringing the focus back to the present to enjoy a good night’s rest. What’s more, you can resort to the benefits of these activities anytime during the day when you feel yourself becoming stressed out or anxious. 

Simply sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes, and concentrate on slowing your exhalation, which will, in turn, slow your next inhalation. Control of your breath allows you to lower heart rate and calm you down. In addition, you can put a relaxing guided meditation or turn on a playlist with nature sounds, which will occupy the brain’s attention for a short period before it literally gets boring, allowing you to drift off to sleep. 

Try Out Military Approach

This is the antidote to Mr. Bean counting sheep on a screen on a calculator to combat insomnia. It is all about relaxing the body, mind over matter then switching off the mind. It was reported that the US military used this method to help their soldiers fall asleep in stressful environments. They do say it takes several weeks to perfect.  

  • Relax the muscles in your face, including tongue, jaw, and the muscles around the eyes;
  • Drop your shoulders as far down as they’ll go, followed by your upper and lower arm, one side at a time;
  • Breathe out, relaxing your chest followed by your legs, starting from the thighs and working down;
  • You need to spend 10 seconds trying to clear your mind before thinking of a peaceful thought;
  • You say “don’t think, don’t think, don’t think” to yourself over and over for about 10 seconds;
  • Then you fall asleep instantly.

So be sympathetic to your problem. A sleepless night can be caused by many factors, from stress to food to modern technology. You haven’t instigated them, but you may be allowing them to take control of your well-being. Experiment with some of these ideas and talk to your doctor prior to introducing CBD to your body. Your focus is to relieve yourself from anxieties and adverse stimulants and ensure a relaxed evening followed by a good night kip. You will feel glorious the next day!

Kratom vs. Kava: How Do They Compare?

Kratom and kava are both herbal supplements with a reputation for producing beneficial, calming effects. They’re very different plants, though, and it can seem like everyone’s choosing sides. Don’t jump on board with either side before reading on to find out how they compare.

Origins of Kratom vs. Kava

As you’ll discover if you read the information on the Kava Guides website, the kava plant is native to the Pacific Islands and is part of the pepper family. It also plays an important role in local cultures, but that’s about as far as the similarities go. The powdered kava available to Westerners comes from the roots of a plant in no way related to the kratom tree.

Kratom comes from the Mitrangyna speciosa species of evergreen tree, found in Southeast Asia. In this area of the world, kratom use has been both a folk remedy and a huge part of local culture for millennia. The kratom powder Westerners know and love comes from the tree’s dried leaves.

The kava plant is native to the Pacific Islands and is part of the pepper family. It also plays an important role in local cultures, but that’s about as far as the similarities go. The powdered kava available to Westerners comes from the roots of a plant in no way related to the kratom tree.

Effects of Kava vs. Kratom

Both kava and kratom can have sedative effects when taken in the right doses. However, while kava is known for inducing mild relaxation in any quantity, kratom is more versatile. Many consumers also take kratom for energy and focus.

Wondering how that’s possible? The explanation is actually quite simple. Kratom produces different effects depending on the dose. Taking a small amount of it can boost energy levels, improve sour moods, and increase focus. Taking a large amount of kratom will produce sedative effects and may help with controlling pain, although it will still create some degree of euphoria in users.

Kratom also comes in many different strains, each of which has slightly different effects. White strains of kratom are well-known for boosting energy, while red strains tend to be more relaxing and green strains fall somewhere comfortably in between. Sites like Kona Kratom often sell small sample packs of each strain for newcomers to the herb to try out and find a favorite type. Meanwhile, those who use kava don’t have the option to switch to a different strain if they want to combat its sedative effects.

Pharmacology of Kratom vs. Kava

Kratom’s primary active ingredients are its alkaloids, which include mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. These alkaloids bind to opioid receptors in the brain, although it’s important to note that kratom is not an opiate. It can, however, produce some of the same effects when taken in large doses and it is known to stimulate serotonin and norepinephrine release.

Kava’s main ingredients are kavalactones. Less is known about how they operate, but researchers believe they interact with the brain’s limbic system, which controls emotions. Kava also stimulates dopamine production.

Legality of Kava vs. Kratom

Kava is legal almost everywhere, including in all 50 United States. Kratom is federally legal, but six states have banned its sale in stores. These states include Rhode Island, Vermont, Indiana, Wisconsin, Alabama, and Arkansas. Some states also restrict the sale of kratom on a count-by-county basis. However, it’s widely available online.

Where to Buy Kratom vs. Kava

In states where kratom sales are legal, it can be found in smoke shops and specialty stores. It’s much easier and more affordable to buy kratom online, though. Buying online also gives consumers the chance to shop around, which lets them validate manufacturers’ reputations and choose the strains that will best suit their unique needs.

Kava can be purchased at most grocery stores and almost all natural food stores. It is also available to purchase online from various websites as kava kava extracts are becoming increasingly more popular with those suffering from stress in areas all over the world. Since there aren’t any major differences in effect between kava products, buyers don’t have to worry as much about finding the right strain or brand. They just need to make sure they buy from reputable manufacturers that lab test their products to ensure quality.

Potency of Kava vs. Kratom

Kava produces mild effects, while kratom can be quite potent. Don’t expect anything remarkable when drinking a kava tea or a specialty drink that contains this plant extract. It may help with inducing a more relaxed mood, but it won’t produce any noteworthy psychoactive effects.

Kratom can be a potent stimulant or a sedative depending on the strain and the dosage. Those who want to take advantage of kratom’s energizing effects should stick to low doses, usually less than four grams per serving. Those who want to use it to increase relaxation and manage anxiety or pain can take larger doses of up to eight grams, but they should still start off with smaller amounts. As with any herbal supplement, it’s always best to take the lowest effective dose.

Types of Kava vs. Kratom

Kava is most commonly sold as a tea or as an ingredient in specialty drinks. Kratom comes in several forms, the most popular being powder or capsules. Kratom powder can be used to brew tea, make protein drinks, or even add some extra zing to a favorite dish. The capsules can be taken just like any other herbal supplement with plenty of water.

Dosing Kava vs. Kratom

Since most of the kava extracts available to Western consumers come in tea form or in specialty drinks, dosing it is relatively easy. Just brew up a tea or crack open a can and drink it. Kratom is a little harder to dose. Using capsules makes it easier, though. Just start off with one or two capsules and up the dose until it has the desired effect. Make sure to wait a while between doses, though. The capsules must be digested before their contents are released into the bloodstream, which can take a while.

The Bottom Line

Both kratom and kava can be beneficial herbal supplements if consumers take them right and have realistic expectations about what kinds of results they can expect. Since they operate in different areas of the brain, consumers can also take kratom and kava together. Combining the two does require extra attention to dosing, though, so don’t overdo it.

When buying either kratom or kava, consumers need to know what they are getting. Look into the manufacturers in advance to make sure they lab test their products. The FDA does not regulate herbal supplements, so it’s up to manufacturers, vendors, and consumers to evaluate risks and benefits and to determine which supplements are legitimate.