Balancing Growth and Rest
By Tricia Brown BSN, RN, NC-BC
In today’s fast-paced world, we often get lost in hustle culture—pushing forward, rushing things, and trying to achieve various goals. But this world is out of balance, making us focus on growth while often ignoring rest. Indeed, true wellness isn’t just about growth. It’s about balance.
Like the natural rhythms of day and night, our bodies and minds thrive when we honor growth and rest. These aren’t opposites—they are partners. Growth cannot happen without rest. And this is where the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and cannabis come into play.
The ECS is a built-in system that helps our bodies stay balanced, regulating everything from mood and sleep to appetite, pain, and stress response. When the ECS functions well, we feel more grounded, present, and resilient. When it’s off, we may feel anxious, unfocused, or simply out of sync and become more vulnerable to illness. Cannabis interacts with the ECS through its cannabinoids, which bind to ECS receptors in our bodies and work together to help regulate various physiological processes, promoting balance in the body and mind.
Cannabis doesn’t just help us feel more centered—it also supports growth at the most fundamental level: in the brain. Neurogenesis, the formation of new neurons, plays a key role in learning, adapting, and maintaining emotional resilience. Some preclinical evidence suggests that cannabinoids like CBC and CBG may support neurogenesis, particularly in areas of the brain associated with memory and mood. However, more research is needed to understand their effects fully. It’s one more way cannabis encourages not just inner calm but continued growth from the inside out.
And let’s not underestimate cannabis as a true ally in health. Preclinical studies have shown that cannabinoids can go far beyond easing symptoms. In laboratory and animal models, they’ve been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth, trigger apoptosis (programmed cell death), prevent the spread of cancer (metastasis), and reduce the blood supply tumors need to grow. While more clinical research is needed, this speaks volumes about the plant’s powerful therapeutic potential—and why it deserves respect and continued exploration.
Cannabis is not a crutch but a partner in healing, growth, and protection.
Recently, I was reminded of the importance of balance in my own life. I turned 53 this month and struggled to finish this article on time. My 87 and 88-year-old parents were visiting, and for a moment, I felt torn between my deadline and spending time with them. I might have pushed through in the past—choosing productivity over presence. But through my personal growth and with the support of cannabis, I’ve come to deeply understand what truly matters. The article could wait. Time with my parents could not. Sharing coffee, conversations, and laughter with them reminded me that connection is wellness.
Cannabis has been one of my greatest teachers in this lesson. It quiets the mental noise that says, “You should be doing more.” It softens the edges and allows me to drop into the present moment—to feel, connect, and rest. It has helped me realize that sometimes, doing less allows more to grow.
As a cannabis nurse coach, I guide others on this same journey. Using a holistic approach that includes lifestyle practices and cannabis education, I help clients find their unique rhythm between growth and rest. Because the goal isn’t just about cannabis—it’s about tuning into your body, honoring your needs, and choosing to live in alignment.
With the right guidance, cannabis becomes a bridge—supporting both your desire to grow and your need to rest. Cannabis and you form an excellent offensive team against life’s challenges, building a strong, resilient mind, body, and spirit together.
In the end, thriving isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing what matters. It’s about knowing when to rise, when to rest, and trusting that cannabis can be your ally every step of the way.
