We’re big fans of this time of year.

Some our best memories have come via our alma mater and the epic nostalgia that comes from cheering for our favorite teams, reveling in the last second free throws, lay ups, and buzzer beaters.

And if you watch any of the basketball year after year, especially as we get older, you have to appreciate the mental strength of these kids playing under so much concentrated pressure. Not to mention the coaches.  And of course, all of us, the fans!

Indeed all the pressure we’ve been through over the past few years has exacted a toll on all of us.

From the well covered ills of non-stop social media, to the stress of COVID, to the pressure of protecting our kids and grand-kids, and now, the additional impact of the war in Ukraine, it’s no wonder that we increasingly feel burned out, stressed, chaotic.  The prolonged anxiety is exhausting; draining us of our spirit.

So with the basketball tournaments currently on, and seeing these amazing young men and women handling all this pressure, we thought it a good idea to discuss some ways to stay calm using basketball as a backdrop.

5 Ways to Stay Calm

Five expert-recommended calming behaviors:  breathing, self compassion, connections, compassion for others and yes, a plant based and supplement rich diet

Breathing

According to Runner’s World, the average basketball player runs about 2.5 miles per game.  Now picture these players getting on the free throw line, often in the final minutes and seconds in a game, with a ton of pressure on them.  What you’ll see is not surprising:  they take deep breaths.  Breathing slows the heartbeat and lowers blood pressure—inducing relaxation.

Self Compassion

Players, like all of us, are not perfect.  We make mistakes, make a bad pass, miss a shot.  What is amazing about these kids is the amont of resilience and self grace they give themselves.  They often forget the last play, clap it off and come back for more.  Positive self feeling lowers cortisol levels which in turn allows the body to relax because it doesn’t have to fight off stressors.

Connection

This one is easy—have a team to count on; friends, family, colleagues—and maybe some professional help.  These athletes are surrounded by a 24 hour support system:  teammates, coaches, trainers, advisors.  They rely on each other and have a network to lean on.  Being with people who support you releases yet another hormone, Oxytocin—the love hormone—which when secreted into the blood, excites our body to respond to trust, love and even romance.

Compassion for Others

You know it when you see it.  The feeling that watching or being part of a true team feels like:  supporting each other, cheering for each other, picking each other up and made to feel safe by people that have your back.  The dopamine that gets released by actually being kind contributes to our overall feeling of wellness and actually acts as treatment against pain,  depression and anxiety.

Nourish your Body Properly

Watching these kids do what they do, you just know that they could not reach the level of excellence by eating a diet of junk food and ignoring their proper intake of good, whole foods and nutrients.  Same goes for us. Properly fueling your body with a diet of plant-based food and supplements, can improve a number of conditions including;

• Less stress and anxiety
• Fewer headaches
• Improved memory
• Less brain fog
• Better digestion
• Strengthened immunity
• Better, more restorative sleep

And much more.

So you see, when we hear or read, “just breathe” or “be kind to yourself”, or “eat better” the sentiments are not just platitudes and words of encouragement.  Body chemistry actually helps us recover, fight off stress and anxiety, and ultimately feel better.

Let’s Get Back to March

This time of year is fun and stressful.  If we all lived on the edge all year like we do each and every game of these tournaments (let’s face some of us have been for the past two years) our health will break down.  Too much stress, too much anxiety, not enough self-care.

The Good News is we Can Recover

How Wisdom Essentials may help

All Wisdom Essentials products are formulated with your health in mind, whether putting a few drops of a tincture under your tongue, taking a gummy or two, or applying a topical to some overused, sore muscles.

The products are physician and chemist formulated with high quality CBD, plant terpenes and other nutraceuticals and nootropics that help you maintain homeostasis, feel better and live your best life doing the things you want to do.

It’s Purposeful

Here are some of the ingredients we use in our products to help you understand why we believe they work so well for us.

Botanicals are plants or plant parts valued for their medicinal or therapeutic properties, flavor, and/or scent.  They come from herbs, flowers and seeds. They have been used for centuries and are the foundation for nearly half of prescription drugs used today. Products made from botanicals that are used to maintain or improve health may be called herbal products, botanical products, or phytomedicines. Botanicals can have many healing and anti-aging properties.

Nutraceuticals are supplements derived from food sources that are thought to provide health benefits. A nutraceutical product may be defined as a substance, which has physiological benefit or provides protection against chronic disease.

Nootropics are supplements that may improve cognitive function. They are a class of substances that can boost brain performance. They are sometimes called cognition enhancers or memory enhancing substances. Examples include Gingko Biloba, Bacopa Monnieri, which are included in FOCUS.  They do not treat diseases but may have some effects on thinking, memory, or other mental functions.

CBD is used in most of our Wisdom Essentials products. Our CBD is all natural, made from hemp, and blended with reliably-sourced ingredients, non-GMO, and manufactured in the USA according to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

Bringing It All Together

Myrcene is an essential oil that helps CBD take effect more quickly, making it an ideal ingredient in Wisdom Essentials’ DREAM Formula, which also includes Melatonin, and Terpineol, which has been shown to have a calming and relaxing effect.

Wisdom Essentials’ FOCUS Formula  is designed to help alleviate brain fog (problems with focus, memory, logic and problem solving).  It does this with Humulene, an anti-inflammatory; Pinene, which protects the molecules that improve memory; and Limonene, which research indicates increases attention and mental focus.

Our CALM tincture is custom formulated and based on Terpinolene, an aromatic oil with a lemon-pine aroma. It contains a blend of other botanicals like Limonene which is an essential oil found in citrus fruit peels and has many healing qualities and has shown anti-stress properties. Linalool which has been used since ancient times to reduce stress and combat depression. Geraniol which is found in essential oils and is great for relaxation, and CBD.

Our CALM Gum Drops are made with CBD & Limonene, Terpinolene and Linalool.

SOOTHE is our topical relief balm. It’s an artisanal blend of CBD, essential oils, vitamins, minerals and natural ingredients.

Every little bit helps.  Stay calm out there.