In today’s world, most of us give preference to our careers, studies or personal commitments over a good night’s sleep. We often justify this in our minds, thinking our sleep is something which can be compromised on compared to our personal or professional lives that have to stay as they are.
Our habits often become permanent, owing to which irregular sleep cycles or the inability to sleep become common occurrences. Believing an insufficient amount of sleep won’t harm our bodies in any way is a grave misconception as the effects are harmful and long-lasting. Repercussions such as weight gain, lethargy, more chances of infection, heart problems, and decreased mental alertness will be witnessed sooner or later by those who don’t take their sleep seriously.
Many ways have been introduced which aid in providing timely and thorough sleep to users, such as listening to soothing music or using sleeping pills. However, one method which is not only effective but free of any synthetic materials is the use of essential oils.
Why should you use essential oils?
Essential oils can induce the body to go into a state of relaxation. This may be achieved through a neurological response triggered by inhaling their scent or even through a more direct means where they are absorbed into the skin and then into the bloodstream, again producing a state of relaxation.
Once inside the body, essential oils will not only tell your brain to release substances which soothe your body, but will also clear your respiratory system, again aiding you in falling asleep.
The different ways to use essential oils
There are numerous methods which you can employ when you are looking to use an essential oil to enhance your sleep quality.
Aromatherapy diffuser
This method is an extremely convenient one owing to the minimal hassle an individual faces when using it, paired with its ability to be used for a long duration. A mixture of water and oil are constantly being circulated in the room where you are sleeping in the form of a mist, allowing the oil’s effect to stay with you throughout the night.
Massaging into the skin
As mentioned above, essential oils can also be absorbed directly into the skin. Massaging them onto your skin, thus, is also an option which provides effective results. The soles, back of the neck, temples, chest, forehead, solar plexuses, wrist, and hands are the areas where you should preferably massage the essential oil to get the best results.
Soak it up
Another method which, even without the essential oil, proves to be relaxing is soaking in a hot bath. By adding an essential oil along with Epsom salt or baking soda to your bath, you will reach a state of utmost relaxation, thus allowing you to fall into a deep slumber as soon as your head hits the pillow.
Spray
By mixing the oil and water in a spray bottle, you will have a method which is not only extremely simple but has a long-lasting effect. Additionally, the spray bottle, once prepared, can be used for quite a bit of time, making sure this method will only take you a few seconds every night. All you have to do is spray the mist on your pillow and in the room and you will be good to go for the entire night.
Inhale the goodness
Another way to make use of the essential oils is to mix a few drops into a bowl of boiling water and inhale the steam to enter into a Zen state of mind.
Which essential oils can you use?
Here are a few essential oils and some details about their properties – this list will definitely make your search an easy one.
Lavender
With its beautiful aroma, it is no wonder that lavender oil is one of the most widely used essential oils for sleep. Its use has even been documented in olden times, further emphasising how beneficial and effective it can be.
You can use it in several ways, such as in a diffuser, as a spray or by adding it to your bath, all of which have been explained in greater detail above.
Vetiver
This essential oil is slightly stronger than lavender oil but is still extremely effective, especially for snoring, not only enhancing the quality of the user’s sleep but also that of those around them.
It can be used by massaging it onto your skin after mixing it with coconut oil. Alternatively, drops of it can be applied to your bedside or onto your body, letting its scent do the magic during the night.
Roman chamomile
Many of us believe that chamomile tea is a soothing beverage so it isn’t surprising that a similar substance can be used to soothe the mind and allow for better sleep. Again, mixing it with coconut oil is a good option as it is slightly stronger than lavenderoil which can be applied onto the skin directly. For maximum results, you can rub it on the soles of your feet or apply a few drops on your temples.
Other than these three oils, you can also look into the following options and choose the one you think will suit you best:
- Clary Sage Oil
- Bergamot Oil
- Marjoram Oil
- Ylang Ylang Oil
- Cedarwood Oil
Using these essential oils is bound to have a positive effect on your sleep and, hence, on all aspects of your life. Not only will you wake up feeling rested, you will gain the ability to go about your daily activities with greater ease and enthusiasm, allowing you to live a happy, peaceful life.
