Although small in size (and quantity), essential oils have powerful effects! These versatile oils have been used in natural remedies for centuries to relieve a variety of ailments, including insomnia. Whether you apply essential oils topically or add them to your favorite oil diffuser, incorporating them into your nightly routine can help enhance your sleeping experience so you wake up rejuvenated and ready to face the day.
As anyone with insomnia will tell you, counting sheep is not enough. An estimated 1/3 of Americans don’t get enough sleep, and it’s no surprise the role that daily stressors in life can play on our ability to sleep. Essential oils are an affordable and natural solution to not only helping you get a better night’s sleep, but also promoting a sleeping environment that is free from stress, anxiety, and negative emotions.
Like taking care of your face or hair, essential oils are very personal. Perhaps you prefer the floral scent of jasmine, or maybe you lean more towards the more robust woody scent of cedar – you may even want to mix and match scents to get a blended combination of several different notes. However you decide to customize your essential oils to suit your needs, if you are not using them, now is the time to do so.
Which essential oils are good for sleeping? With our essential oils roundup, you’ve got everything covered to enhance your overall sleep experience.
NOW Essential Oils, Cedarwood Oil
Inhaling cedarwood helps trigger the release of serotonin in the brain, which in turn is converted to melatonin. Known for its warm and woody aroma, cedar wood can be applied to your wrists and brown comb to promote a peaceful sleep.
Plant therapy lavender essential oil
Similar to cedar wood, lavender is one of the best essential oils for sleep. Lavender is popular for improving the overall quality of sleep and reducing anxiety to calm your mind. Numerous studies have shown that lavender essential oil helps lower heart rate, temperature, and blood pressure, all of which reflect how the body naturally prepares for sleep.
Gya Labs Roman chamomile essential oil
Just like sipping chamomile herbal tea to relieve your insomnia, chamomile essential oil is great to add to your diffuser. Chamomile affects the same parts of the brain and nervous system that a traditional anti-anxiety drug would to promote a successful night out.
Edens Garden Valerian Essential Oil
Valerian root is one of the most powerful herbs for sleep. Whether you ingest it (tea or a supplement) or inhale it, you can be confident that it will help you achieve that deep sleep. One piece of advice, because of its strong scent, you might want to mix it with vanilla or whatever scent of your choice.
Organic ylang ylang essential oil
This fruity, floral, and richly scented essential oil has been the subject of numerous studies and has shown many benefits to incorporate ylang ylang into your routine. Although ylang ylang may not be the most potent sleep aid as lavender, you will still feel relaxed. In addition, ylang ylang has been shown to lower blood pressure, slow your heart rate, and help your brain rid itself of negative emotions.
SenseLAB Sandalwood Essential Oil
Research has shown that sandalwood can have calming effects that promote non-REM sleep and reduce wakefulness, making it a great essential oil for insomnia. Sandalwood is similar to cedarwood with its rich, woody scent, but tends to be on the more expensive side. You can usually find sandalwood pre-mixed with a carrier oil such as jojoba.
Aura Cacia Jasmin Absolute in jojoba oil
Jasmine has a sweet, floral scent and has been shown to release Gaba, the chemical that promotes calmness and reduces anxiety. Some studies have also shown that jasmine is more effective at relieving anxiety than lavender.
artnaturals 100% pure essential bergamot oil
Although citrus essential oils are generally used to give you a boost of energy, bergamot has a calming effect. This oil is great to help prepare you for sleep as it slows your heart rate and lowers blood pressure.
Gya Labs Clary Sage Essential Oil
Clary sage has been shown to lower levels of cortisol (the hormone that causes stress). When you have higher levels of cortisol it can negatively affect your circadian rhythm, leading to nights of restlessness. So if you are unable to fall asleep due to anxiety, give this essential oil a try.
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