Life is busier than ever, so it’s crucial to get adequate rest. To calm the mind and fend off anxiety, many people rely on essential oils. If you need help getting to sleep, these scents might help you drift off to Dreamsville.
Perhaps you can blame staying up late binge-watching your favorite series on Netflix or finishing a project, but when you need to sleep and you can’t, it feels like torture. Tossing and turning in bed impacts your mood, ability to concentrate – and, of course, energy levels.
Lavender
If you’ve been up all night counting flocks of sheep, you’ll probably try just about anything to get some rest. Happily, lavender has an excellent track record at sending people off to dreamland. It has calming & relaxing properties and perfect for a peaceful sleep or to ease feelings of tension.
A 2015 study published in the Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that lavender essential oil helped college students get a better night’s sleep. The study of 79 students with sleep problems found inhaling lavender at bedtime improved daytime energy and vibrancy.
Bergamot
Many know about the refreshing properties of citrus fruits and oils such as lemon and orange. But despite belonging to the citrus family, bergamot has a different effect. Actually, bergamot is soothing and calming, great for reducing stress and anxiety. No wonder people use it for restful sleep.
A study published in 2015 about bergamot essential oil effects on mood, stress, and anxiety showed significant results. Diffused bergamot oil effects were quite impressive. It improved tension, anxiety, and physical-mental fatigue.
Patchouli
It has many uses and benefits for both the mind and body. The unique, musky aroma of Patchouli essential oil is perfect for diffusing. Its rich aromatherapy properties can have a grounding and balancing effect on emotions.
In aromatherapy, patchouli oil is used to help reduce tension, insomnia, and anxiety. Its wine-like intoxicating aroma functions as an aphrodisiac, and helps sharpen intelligence, improve concentration, and provide insight. Spiritually, it is used in incense sticks as it helps to create a calming atmosphere.
A 2015 study, published in Molecules, found that patchouli oil influences cerebral functions, including calming, sedative, and uplifting properties. The physiological responses such as blood pressure, pulse rate, stress index, and brain waves were reduced after sniffing patchouli oil aroma. This suggests that patchouli oil odor improves mood and possesses curative effects when its fragrance is inhaled by humans. The influence of scent was due to its main compound, patchoulol.