The Most Effective Aromas for a Good Night’s Sleep
Sleep. We all need it, whoever we are. Yet busy lives often affect the time – and mindset – that it requires. Experts recommend that the majority adults get 7 – 9 hours of the stuff per night.
But few of us are actually able to achieve this. If this applies to you, fear not: there’s a potential solution. And it may surprise you.
Aroma. Yes, that’s right, something as simple as smell could help you to fall asleep more easily. Which scents, though? Are there any specific ones?
In short, yes – there are three. Let’s explore them here.
Very often, lavender aids relaxation. This probably won’t surprise you, though. The plant has long been renowned for its calming effect – and that’s why so many people use it.
It’s a common feature in aromatherapy, which uses natural scents and oils to improve emotional health. You don’t have to pay a specialist to benefit from its aroma, however.
In fact, you can easily do so from home. You just need the right tools. A reed diffuser that contains lavender, for example. A room spray or candle will be equally as effective.
Either could help you to unwind fully before bed – and increase the likelihood of you falling into a long night’s sleep.
1. Lavender
2. Bergamot
Bergamot. Recognise the name? It’s a key ingredient in Earl Grey tea – a drink widely known for its flowery scent. And where does that smell come from?
None other than the Bergamot citrus fruit. Its smell is widely known to reduce stress and anxiety. That’s why it’s prevalent in sleep balms and bath products.
But these can be costly. You can still enjoy Bergamot – and its benefits – on a budget, however.
Why not try affordable perfumes? That way, you’ll be able to apply it whenever you want. Do this before bed, and it could enable you to destress in time.
To many, chamomile is a healing plant. And it’s easy to see why. It’s used to soothe an array of physical ailments, like skin irritation and menstrual pain.
Even its scent can be health-boosting – particularly when it comes to emotional wellbeing. Like lavender and bergamot, its aroma could help to eradicate stress.
Introduce it to your bedroom and other chill out spaces – like your lounge – and you’ll be able to create a laid-back vibe within these areas.
Hang out in these zones before bed, and you could reach the headspace needed for a heathy night’s sleep.
Aroma is key sense – most of us rely on it every day. Really, it’s unsurprising that it can influence our emotions, which in turn impact our ability to sleep. The right scents may very well enable you to fall into a deep, restorative slumber.
3. Chamomile
When Is It Time to Ask for Your Doctor’s Help?
Sleep troubles can have underlying medical causes, which aromatherapy cannot treat. Sleep apnea, a condition characterized by cessation of breathing during sleep, affects millions of people around the world.
People who have sleep apnea can wake up with unexplained headaches and experience observed breathing pauses that can last up to 20 seconds during sleep.
If you suspect you have sleep apnea or a sleeping disorder, schedule an appointment with your health-care provider or a sleep doctor immediately.
Currently, the most effective treatment for sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy using a CPAP device. Weight management, regular exercise, and changing your sleeping position are also recommended to manage the condition.
