The Benefits of CBD and the Outdoors for Veterans
Approximately 1.7 million veterans received general mental health care in a V.A. mental health speciality program in 2018. These numbers have often been dismissed and deprioritized, causing mental health resources to be limited and numbers to continuously rise every year. Because of this, people all over the world have come together to create safe and accessible communities for veterans to get the resources they need in order to recover and re-engage with everyday life. These communities consist of various non-profit organizations, alternative health and wellness companies, and rehabilitation support groups. All of these communities have something in common, and that is to help veterans cope with the hardships of their jobs through access to resources. Not only vets but active duty, reservists, and military families who also experience these hardships. Let’s dive into the benefits of CBD and the power of getting outdoors, two resources that have been said to be beneficial for mental health issues for years.
The Benefits of Getting Outdoors
Mental or physical health issues can result in a conglomerate of self-isolation and negative habits. Unfortunately, spending too much time indoors can make the issues worse or negatively affect your ability to overcome them naturally. Your body and mind both get nutrients and benefits from the outdoors. Getting outside once a day has the potential to:
Improve your mood
Regulate sleep cycle
Improve physical health
Alleviate symptoms of PTSD
Reduce pain and inflammation
Reduce anxiety and depression
Reduce feelings of stress or anger
Studies have shown that direct sunlight produces higher levels of serotonin. Serotonin acts as our body's mood stabilizer and helps regulate feelings of stress, depression, anxiety, and the ability to promote feelings of well-being and happiness. Getting outdoors can be as minimal as standing outside for 15-20 minutes, or a walk around the neighbourhood, to something more extensive like a big hike or a multi-day hunting trip.
Second Chance Outdoors (S.C.O.) provides an opportunity that empowers veterans and first responders to cultivate a healthy lifestyle and mindset through outdoor activities. Group-based recreational nature activities have shown significant positive effects on mental and physical health for veterans struggling with serious problems, according to research. We are naturally social beings, we need community and other people around us that can provide support, insight, or simply just understanding. Outdoor recreation therapy is a less expensive approach for those without access to resources, but can even go hand in hand with traditional therapy or medical treatments. We all have different experiences or perspectives of nature, and we all take what we need from it or have different reasons for wanting to connect with it.
The Benefits of CBD for Veterans
A variety of people are familiar with CBD and the potential benefits it possesses, especially for those who use it to alleviate symptoms of mental or health conditions or have seen someone close to them benefit from CBD. Despite the popularity in the public sphere, many are uneducated about what CBD is, how it works, and how it can help them in their daily lives. CBD or Cannabidiol is one of the many compounds found in the cannabis plant and is non-psychoactive. T.H.C. or Tetrahydrocannabinol is another component found in the cannabis plant that contributes to the intoxicating feeling people may experience. These are the two most common cannabinoids that are known by the public. Ambassador CBD brings high-quality CBD oil products sourced from the most optimal growing regions of Colombia and Jamaica with a goal of removing the stigma associated with cannabis and hemp.
Though more research needs to be conducted, CBD has the ability to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, enhance mood and emotional levels, and can be an effective holistic alternative for a variety of other ailments, both physical and mental. For those new to CBD products, or those who need a little more guidance in their holistic journey, use this quiz to get a suggestion on the best products for you. Ambassador is a veteran-founded company with a goal to bring high-quality clean CBD products to the veteran community. A lot of military personnel deal with combat-related injuries that restrict them from fully re-engaging in everyday activities. Doctors commonly prescribe opioids to deal with chronic pain in these circumstances, which can cause many side effects like stress, anxiety, mood imbalances, that can be followed by other mental or physical health issues over time. Over 60,000 veterans received treatment for opioid addiction in 2016, according to the V.A., and 15 of every 100 veterans suffer from PTSD. Regardless of the war they fought or the duty they carried, the symptoms of PTSD can be catastrophic, preventing veterans from fully being able to engage in family life and society. Veterans who commonly use CBD have reported a significant reduction of PTSD symptoms.
Cannabis products are becoming more popular for veterans who want access to cleaner and more natural products that can benefit their health and overall well-being. When discussing all the potential benefits of CBD, it should be noted that it is not proven to perform all the benefits it may be associated with. It is not a treatment and should not replace medical treatments, but rather serve as a more holistic approach to personal afflictions. Always consult with your primary care physician regarding the safety of CBD products pertaining to your healthcare routine.
Supporting Veteran Communities
There are so many ways to support and honor our soldiers, from small to big, any effort can make a difference. If you are seeking group-based outdoor adventures, a way to get involved with S.C.O.’s mission, or donate to their purpose, please reach out to logan@secondchanceoutdoors.net. If you want to try introducing a natural holistic product into your self-care routine like CBD, use our veteran discount code THANKU15 to get 15% off each Ambassador CBD product.