Why Is Sleep So Important?

Anyone in the oven who smelled new cookies is aware that scents have a powerful impact on how we feel. Our olfactory nerve sends signals straight to our limbic system and amygdala when we smell something, the components of our brain that are accountable for our memory or mood. That’s why some scents can make us feel brighter or remember a favorite memory immediately. Essential Oils are important for relaxation and better sleep.

Aromatherapy is an alternative type of holistic healthcare based on a strong sense of smell and natural therapeutic compounds from plants. Practitioners use plant essential oils to support correct function of the mind, body, and soul. Essential oils can be used for a multitude of reasons, from mood-boosting to cellular support, but in this article, we will concentrate on how they can be used to calm and relax the mind and body and prepare you for sleep.

To just spend time or maintain us from working 24 hours a day, there is no sleep. Sleep is essential because it is physically and mentally rejuvinating, and it enables our bodies not only to recover from the stress of everyday life, but also to recharge and refocus.

So What Can I Do About It?

Sleep deprivation has been connected with many health hazards and places a huge strain on nearly every organ system in your body. Lack of sufficient sleep affects our capacity to lose or keep a good weight; affects how we feel, learn and act; and affects our cardiovascular health and overall well-being negatively.

More importantly, failing to get enough sleep can decrease reaction time and interfere with our driving ability. Not only does the failure to drive alertly endanger those in the vehicle, but also everyone else on the street. In general, the less sleep you get, the less opportunities you give your body to recover and prepare for the next day. This reduces your general quality of life.

Life will, of course, always present barriers beyond our control, from a sick kid, to a last-minute job project, to a needy neighbor. Without a doubt, each of these will influence how we sleep.

We need to concentrate on what we can control, however, and luckily there are several tips and methods you can apply to assist make sure you not only get enough sleep but also get quality sleep. And essential oils can definitely help support relaxation and better sleep.

Tips For Relaxation And Better Sleep

1. Eat well and keep your exercise routine healthy. Eating a healthy diet and having plenty of practice will keep our weight under control, but it will also help with sleep. Eating elevated carbohydrate foods floods the body with glucose, causing involuntary movement of the body during sleep, disrupting rest. Exercising too close to bedtime ramps up metabolism and temperature of the body and can make it hard to fall asleep.
   Try snacking on some raw nuts if you get hungry before bed. Nuts provide not only satisfying, but also slowly digested protein and fat, which can provide a calm sleep, and rich in magnesium, a mineral that helps calm the nervous system.
2. Maintain a rhythm. Try to maintain a consistant sleep timetable. Try to go to bed at the same time each day and wake up at the same time each day. Creating this rhythm helps to control the inner clock of your body and may assist you to sleep better.
3. Say no to alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and electronics (especially at night), all of which can make it hard to go to sleep. Do not  drink  caffeinated beverages past 6 PM. Remove from the bedroom all electronics, including televisions, computers and other electronic devices. Try not to expose yourself to bright light for at least one hour before bedtime. Darkness will assist your body start producing melatonin, a sleep-regulating hormone. Be sure to expose yourself to morning sunlight, which naturally tells your body to wake up. This will assist you in maintaining balance to your inner clock.

More tips:

• Keep Cool – Make sure your bedroom is a quiet, dark and relaxing atmosphere that is not too warm or too cold. Your bed and pillows should be comfortable and supportive. If you’re experiencing morning shoulder, hip, or back pain, you may need a chiropractic adjustment. New bedding may be needed.
• Wind Down – It takes time for your body to move into sleep mode, so spend the last hour before bed doing a calming activity like reading or taking a hot shower. Some beverages may be relaxing and non-stimulating, such as chamomile tea.
• Use Calming Essential Oils – Essential oils such as Lavender and Bergamot are rich in linalool and linalyl acetate, well-known relaxing compounds. These oils can be sprayed or diffused aromatically to produce a calm and peaceful atmosphere in the bedroom, ideal for a nice night’s sleep.
  They can also be used topically to calm the nervous system internally, encourage relaxation, and lead to restful sleep. Try putting two to four drops of Lavender or Bergamot oil in a hot herbal tea (Chamomile, Lemongrass, etc.), about 30 minutes before bedtime. You can also add 2-4 drops of Lavender into an empty capsule and swallow about 30 minutes before bedtime.

Essential Oils for Sleep and Relaxation:

• Lavender
• Vetiver
• Serenity® Calming Blend
• Bergamot
• Roman Chamomile