Sleeping with essential oils (and other things)

I have a lot of things in my nightly arsenal to help me go to sleep. Sleep podcasts, meditation sessions, music, a notebook, diffuser, and essential oils. It wasn’t always like that.

Every time my son doesn’t want to take a nap, or my daughter gives me the “but I’m not tired”, I want to tell them how they’ll regret it one day. I remember the ability to stay up until 3 a.m, waking up early to get to class. I also remember having long weekends where I could sleep until noon like it was no big deal.

Like I said before, things are different now and sleep doesn’t come as easily. There are too many things running through my head at night that are tough to shut off. I’ve long known about the power of scents, and using essential oils at night helps.

We all know sleep is one of the best things you can do for your mental and physical health. Getting enough sleep is closely related to mood. As parents, we are tested every day on patience and how we handle stress and anxiety.

Here are some of my favorite essential oils and blends for a good night’s rest. You can easily put a few drops in your diffuser an hour or two before bedtime to fill up the room for relaxation. They are all great depending on what you like.

LAVENDER: The most popular one for relaxing. It eases tension and induces relaxation. 

ROMAN CHAMOMILE: Sweet and floral that is calming and soothing to the mind and body. 

BERGAMOT: Floral and citrus, meaning it can be both energizing and calming depending on what your body needs at the time. Really great at reducing anxious feelings.  

HAWAIIAN SANDALWOOD: Rich, sweet and woody, this scent is really soothing. It is said to reduce tension, promote emotional well-being, and has a meditative-like effect.  

BERGAMOT + LAVENDER: Both lavender and bergamot are ideal for calming anxiety and relaxing the body and mind. A good one for a restful sleep after a tough day.  

YLANG YLANG + ROMAN CHAMOMILE + LAVENDER: A beautiful sleepy floral bouquet, this blend is perfect for bedtime. Soothing and calming properties that make the room smell like a blooming garden and help ease you into sleep.  

BERGAMOT + CEDARWOOD + SWEET MARJORAM: Bergamot releases tension and frustration, making this one a great blend for those days when the kids have tested your patience or work has been particularly tough.  

Want some more essential oil ideas and blends for a restful sleep? Check out my post over on the Zulily blog. Goodnight!