All I Want For Christmas Is A Good Night’s Sleep, Here’s How To Get One!
Are you one of those people who have to sleep a certain way if you have any chance of getting a good night’s sleep? Gone are the days of crashing…
Are you one of those people who have to sleep a certain way if you have any chance of getting a good night's sleep? Gone are the days of crashing on couches or the floor? If you need a certain pillow, fan, white noise, etc and still struggle to get a quality 8 hours then this is for you. Give the gift of quality rest this holiday season and you'll be the most popular gift giver.
One way to do this is with essential oils. Incorporating these into your nightly routine may be the answer to keep you from tossing and turning at night. The aromas of essential oils work to ease sleep disruptions, such as snoring, sleep apnea, and night-time stuffiness.
According to the sleep experts at BestMattress-Brand.org, “Essential oils are the liquid compounds extracted from plants, acquired through distillation with steam or other mechanical methods, such as cold pressing. While in oil form, the plant’s scent becomes more prominent and is effective in preparing your body for rest. The powerful aromas from essential oils stimulate parts of the limbic system, a sector of the brain responsible for emotions, behaviors, sense of smell, and long-term memory. Some essential oils have relaxing effects, so when you smell these fragrances, your body’s receptors send calming signals to the brain to help your body decompress.”
But which scent will be the most valuable to your loved ones (or you) this Christmas? To help you find the right essential oil, our friends at BestMattress-Brand.org have revealed which scents to try to tackle a variety of sleep problems. This includes stress and anxiety, insomnia, joint pain, and more. Keep reading to see the issues as well as the scents to help get the best good night's sleep despite those problems!
Stress And Anxiety
Scent/Oil: Lavender
Lavender is the most researched herb for sleep and is revered for its ability to reduce stress and anxiety. As an essential oil, it’s known to relax the body’s muscles to promote restfulness, leading to more slow-wave sleep, and slow-wave sleep is the most restorative kind of rest and allows your brain to recover from daily activities.
Snoring And Sleep Apnea
Scent/Oil: Vanilla
As one of the most recognizable fragrances, vanilla is a powerful antioxidant and relaxant. Vanilla contains anti-inflammatory properties proven to help individuals breathe easily at night, making it an especially good choice for those suffering from sleep apnea and snoring.
Joint Pain
Scent/Oil: Chamomile
Chamomile is a plant extract containing apigenin, a chemical compound that can induce sleepiness when it binds to the brain’s receptors. Additionally, apigenin increases levels of serotonin, a chemical responsible for regulating your body’s internal clock. Your body uses serotonin to produce the sleep hormone melatonin as this helps with fighting against restlessness.
Blood Pressure
Scent/Oil: Bergamot Oil
Bergamot oil is an extract produced from prickly trees called citrus bergamia, originating in the tropical climates of Southeast Asia. While some citrus oils may be too stimulating for sleep, bergamot is unique as it relaxes the body by lowering blood pressure. These calming qualities ease racing thoughts and allow sleepers to rest peacefully without feeling anxious.
Heart Rate
Scent/Oil: Ylang-Ylang
Ylang-Ylang oil is an extract from the fruit of Indonesian Canaga trees. It is a beautifully fragrant oil known to enhance the health of the nervous system by reducing tension exerted on nerves and stabilizing heart rate. This is not only beneficial in promoting restfulness, but it also reduces the risk of hypertension and other heart-related diseases.
Insomnia
Scent/Oil: Jasmine
Jasmine is another popular essential oil used to tackle sleep disruptions. Its powerful fragrance stimulates the limbic system by promoting feelings of tranquility and helping individuals fall asleep faster. What sets this essential oil apart from others is its molecular structure, which is similar to medications for insomnia. Research suggests jasmine is just as effective as prescription remedies for sleeplessness.
Congestion
Scent/Oil: Peppermint
The anti-inflammatory qualities in peppermint are useful for reducing obstructions such as nasal congestion and inflammation. Peppermint oil can be beneficial for those who suffer from allergies because the stimulating fragrance clears the nasal passage and allows for more airflow.
Peppermint contains the organic compound menthol. When menthol is inhaled, it stimulates the hippocampus, an area of the brain responsible for mental clarity, and may enhance memory for some individuals.
Nerves
Scent/Oil: Geranium
Geranium oil’s light floral fragrance acts as an antidepressant to ease stress brought on by insomnia. Struggling to fall asleep each night can increase levels of cortisol, a hormone responsible for regulating stress. However, inhaling, geranium can lower cortisol in the body and keep your nerves calm. This way you can get a good right of rest without thoughts of worry plaguing your rest.
