Everyone has trouble getting much-needed sleep at some point in their life. It can be so frustrating that you start to look for solutions anywhere and everywhere. Some of the solutions, like counting sheep, don’t even work!
So, what’s a frustrated and tired person to do when they can’t sleep? Sure, you can start taking sleep-inducing medications but those can leave you waking up groggy in the morning. Some people, especially those with young children, notice that these medications make it harder to wake up at a moment’s notice.
If you want to avoid the many determinants that come from sleep medications but can’t deal with yet another night of staring at the ceiling you can try these 15 essential oils (recommended by SleePare), all backed by scientific studies that show they work.
Lavender: It has been proven to lower blood pressure, heart rate, and skin temperature to help you fall asleep faster. You can use a lavender-infused lotion before bed to promote sleep.
Frankincense: Often remembered because of its relationship to Christmas, this essential oil helps to relax you into a deep sleep. Try mixing a few drops with avocado oil to create a chest rub to ease your tension.
Ylang-Ylang: This essential oil is proven to reduce the stress and anxiety that keeps many of us up at night. Take ylang-ylang oil and mix it into a moisturizer to apply before bed.
Valerian: Proven to improve the brain waves that control deep sleep, you can mix with a light massage oil and give yourself a foot rub to promote better sleep.
Clary Sage: Clary sage essential oil will help to promote deep sleep through stress reduction. You can diffuse this oil before bedtime
Sweet Marjoram: This oil can help to improve the quality of sleep for shift workers. One way to use this oil is by placing it on a cotton ball to smell as you drift off to sleep.
Bergamot: Bergamot should not be placed on the skin so it’s best used in a diffuser to allow you to take advantage of its stress and cortisol reducing properties.
Roman Chamomile: Shown to relieve insomnia, anxiety, and reduce nightmares in children, try diffusing this with lavender to help your child sleep better.
Rose Geranium: To improve sleep and reduce stress, you can mix this essential oil with an unscented nighttime face cream as it also helps to unclog pores.
Jasmine: Jasmine has been proven to be just as effective as a sedative at calming nerves. Place on a washcloth and dry with your bedding for a calming scent that lasts all night long.
Cedarwood: Cedrol, the key component in this essential oil, has been proven to be an effective sedative. It works best in a diffuser.
Rose: Rose oil treats a variety of ailments and has been proven to relax the body to help you sleep. Add it to an unscented moisturizer to make use of its pain-relieving properties.
Peppermint: If a headache is keeping you up at night, try peppermint oil dabbed on your wrists to help you sleep.
Juniper: A great choice for women who can’t sleep due to menstrual problems, this oil can be diffused with lavender and roman chamomile to promote better sleep.
Neroli: Another great essential oil for women’s sleep, you can mix this oil with lavender and diffuse it to boost its effectiveness.
Have you tried any of these 15 essential oils to help you sleep better? Let me know in the comments of your experience with essential oils for better sleep.
