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5 Favourite Essential Oils for Sleep
Sleep! We all need it and most of us are not getting enough of it. Either we go to bed to late, have trouble falling asleep or wake in the middle of the night, which leaves us groggy, cranky or run down during the day. Essential oils are a tool to help you get the rested sleep you so desperately want and need.
Why is sleep, and enough of it, so important for our mind, body and spirit? Enough good quality sleep helps your mind to stay more focused and enhances the body’s capability to learn. Sleep is needed for the immune system to function at its optimal level, and for more stable moods. Enough sleep can even spur creativity which opens up connect to self.
So how can essential oils help you get the sleep needed for overall health and wellbeing?
Essential oils:
So here are my top 5 oils for sleep.
1. Lavender- Probably the most researched essential oil especially when it comes to sleep. Lavender creates a sense of calm and relaxation. One study showed that lavender increased deep and slow wave sleep and participants felt more vigour the following day. (source)
2. Petitgrain - Want similar benefits to lavender but enjoy an earthier aroma? Then this essential oil is for you. Both lavender and petitgrains' main constituents are linalyl acetate and linalool, which are both known for their relaxing properties. So if floral aromas are not your thing, then grab this one and experience similar benefits but a different aroma.
3. Roman Chamomile- fun fact about roman chamomile….. The Romans used to use it before battles to ease the mind and promote courage. This power house essential oil can have you feeling peaceful with a little sniff. So if you need an oil to clear the mind and promote tranquility before sleep, I would suggest you try out this powerful essential oil.
4. Vetiver- this heavy, musky essential oil packs a punch when it comes to relaxation and sleep. Although the aroma may be quite strong for some people, you can lighten it up by blending it with lavender. Then you get a double punch for relaxation, calming and sleep.
5. Cedarwood- this essential oil aroma has you feeling a sense of calm with one inhalation. You know those lovely cedarwood closets? Well imagine breathing that in and how your mind feels calmer already.
Those are my top five. The fun thing is you get to decide which one or ones work best for you. Lavender blends nicely with all of them. You can even combine two of three of them - it is up to you and what your needs are for the evening.
Now you may be asking 'ok now what do I do with these essential oils'? Here are my suggested uses
1. Get a cool mist diffuser and place it in the bedroom. If you have trouble falling asleep get your diffuser going an hour before bedtime. You don’t need any more than 5 drops of the essential oils in the diffuser. If blending a couple, then a few drops of each. Turn it on and close the door, then when you come back, the room will be filled with the relaxing aroma right when you walk in.
2. Apply to the pillow. You can do this before bed either by making a spritzer or just adding the oils to your hand and then rubbing your pillow. If you have very sensitive skin then this wouldn’t be the best option for you.
3. Apply to the body. Grab some coconut oil (fractionated is my favourite) and add some essential oils to the coconut oil and apply to the bottom of the feet, back of the neck, wrists or have someone apply to the spine. The oils will get into the blood stream and will go to the brain to help calm the mind and body.
Say enough to the tired grouchy days. Start your nighttime essential oil routine today and get the well-rested quality sleep you deserve.
Want to get started with doTERRA essential oils? I would love to chat to you and walk you through the best blends specific to your needs. Send me a message HERE
Feel the Moment, Acknowledge the Emotions
Every new road will have obstacles and those feelings of ‘new beginning jitters’.
Early this year, I went down the path of becoming an author and will now be a part of a book that is a collaboration with 19 other amazing women called Women Who Inspire. As the book launch is fast approaching, those jitters have gotten intense. See I have never written a book, and I have also never shared such an intimate piece of me with the world, nor felt so vulnerable before.
In just a few days everyone will be able to read my story and see me a piece of me that I hid for 18 years. Even though this is exciting times, I have chosen to tune in to all of the emotions that are swirling around.
Is it normal to feel fear and oh shit moments in such an exciting time? I saw heck yes, it is! See anything outside that box of comfort can create those jittery feelings. But how we perceive those feelings can determine the actions we take.
If we see those feelings as threatening then we can freeze.
But if we see those feeling for what they are as a normal response to stepping outside the comfort zone, and allow them to be acknowledged, then moving through them gets easier. When those feelings go unacknowledged, they continue to play around in the background getting stronger and stronger, and then actions can get halted because the body perceives them as dangerous.
I have a sense of gratitude that my mind is trying to protect me from this new beginning. But I realise that the first few steps down the new path always create the biggest sense of fear.
It’s been a roller coaster ride of emotions as the launch approaches. Tears of joy. Tears of vulnerability. Sense of accomplishment. Self-acknowledgement for taking all the steps necessary to even get to the launch. Plus, gratitude for the opportunity. Among the emotions, I have been aware of allowing myself to be open to whatever this opportunity leads to and letting go of the need to control any part of it. I am on a journey, like all of you, and often steps ahead go unseen at the present time, so letting go and just trusting is all that can be done.
As I am writing this now, I have tears in my eyes. Emotions are a beautiful thing and right now although they are so up and down, I am connected to the power of my emotions. Connected to the joy, pain, and perseverance that has lead me to this moment - right here with a book and a new path opening. These incredible 20 women have come together and selflessly given a piece of themselves to serve the greater good in any way the messages need to be received. This book will make an impact for those who read it. Things will shift, as so much love, determination, care, empowerment and power is in 177 pages.
I have expanded because of this opportunity. This entirely journey from sign on to launch has taught me something new or opened me into knowing myself even more. What is coming after the launch? Only time will tell, but as I am an emotional mess I am open and allowing whatever is next to be seen.
