Getting proper sleep plays a big part in setting yourself up for a successful and productive day. Without proper sleep your body doesn't get the chance to restore itself physically or mentally. As someone who has struggled with their sleep for years, I began to look into naturals ways that I could support my sleep. I found that diffusing essential oils was a great way to help me unwind and relax enough where I was able to fall asleep easier at night.
For those of you who may be unfamiliar with diffusing essential oils, it is simple adding essential oils and water into a diffuser which then releases a mist into the air allowing you to breathe in the essential oils. The essential oil particles then travel from your nose to the limbic system of the brain which supports our behavioral and emotional responses among other things. How does that help you sleep you may ask? Depending on the oil you diffuse will determine what sort of benefit you will get from the oil. For example lavender is an oil that calms and relaxes you making it perfect to use for sleep support. The diffuser I have linked here is a great one to get you started if you don't already own a diffuser.
I have five blends to share with you that I use on a regular basis for sleep support. I hope they can help anyone else out their who struggles with their sleep.
Cedarwood & Lavender - This is my go to sleep blend. I think that most people have heard of the calming and relaxation properties of Lavender but you may not know that Cedarwood is well know for it's grounding, calming and relaxation properties. This makes for a perfect pairing with Lavender for sleep support in my opinion. These two oils are also widely available and are affordable so if you are going to try any of these blends, this would be my top choice. Also keep in mind that not all oils are created equal so do your research when choosing an essential oil brand as some contain fillers or don't have the best manufacturing practices.
Bergamot & Orange - You may not think of these two oils for sleep support since they are citrus oils and you would be correct that most citrus oils would not be a wise choice for sleep support. These two oils are the exception to the rule. Bergamot is thought to have a sedative effect and Orange can actually be calming as well making them great oils to diffuse before bed. I use 6 drops of Bergamot and only 2 drops of orange as this ratio I have found works best for me for this particular blend.
Thieves & Lavender - Thieves essential oil for me is like being wrapped up in a cozy blanket with it's warm notes of cinnamon, orange and clove. I find it really comforting and this is why I like to use it for sleep support. I like to pair it with just a couple drops of Lavender for that little extra relaxation note.
Peace & Calming - This is a Young Living essential oil blend that was put together to, you guessed it, bring on feelings of Peace and Calm which makes it a great oil for sleep. Some of the notes in this blend are Ylang Ylang, Blue Tansy, Orange & Patchouli. It is also great to diffuse during your kids night time routine to help them start to unwind before bed.
Stress Away - This is another Young Living essential oil blend and is great if you prefer a lighter scent. Some of the notes in this blend are Copaiba, Lime, Cedarwood and Lavender. All great for helping promote a calming feeling which in turn will help with sleep.
I hope these blends are helpful in getting a more restful nights sleep and if you have a favorite blend that I didn't mention, leave it in the comments:) Also please note I am sharing these blends as they have worked for me. If you have continued sleep issues I would always recommend speaking with your physician.
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