Scents To Help You Sleep
Sleep is one of those things that you can never seem to have enough of, and scent has a really super-duper important role to play in creating a restful environment for a good night’s sleep. Did you know that our sense of smell is controlled by the same part of our brain that manages our sleep? You learn something new every day…
If you think you could use some help drifting off to the land of nod, experimenting with essential oils might just help you to relax and sleep better.
We asked our friend and sleep expert, Chloë from Bramley, to tell us about her favourite scents for sleep and her top calming tips to try before bed.
Born out of the great British countryside, Bramley is all about harnessing the beneficial qualities of natural plant-based ingredients, so that each product smells wonderful, has genuine therapeutic benefits and won’t contain anything Mother Nature wouldn’t approve of. To discover the Bramley range (they even do a dog wash!), visit bramleyproducts.co.uk.
Here are Chloë’s top three relaxing and calming essential oils to help you get that much-needed good night’s sleep…
Lavender
Possibly the most well-known sleepy scent… This iconic essential oil is super popular and well known for its sleepy properties for very good reason. Known as the most versatile essential oil, it has antiseptic, soothing and calming characteristics which are kind on all skin types. Its distinctive floral scent promotes relaxation and is widely used to induce sleep.
Thanks to many studies on the benefits of lavender, we know just how amazing it is... As an essential oil, it has been shown to improve sleep quality and alleviate symptoms associated with mild insomnia, depression, anxiety and restlessness. It’s a miracle plant!
Chamomile
If you’ve been struggling with sleep, there’s a good chance that someone has suggested you drink a cup of chamomile tea. Don’t get us wrong… tea can be very beneficial, we love a warm drink before bed, but you may find incorporating some Roman chamomile essential oil into your pre-bedtime ritual to be even more effective.
Chamomile is a very soothing and relaxing essential oil which is well known for promoting sleep. It is delicate on sensitive skin and helps to balance the feminine reproductive system.
Geranium
Last but not least… Geranium essential oil has a sweet, floral fragrance that calms and soothes the body and mind. Its rose-like aroma is considered to have a gently relaxing effect on the mood and works as a natural antidepressant. Perfect to nourish the soul and help you go to sleep feeling content (and we all need a little bit of that).
How to introduce scents to your bedtime routine
It is so, so, so incredibly important to allow time in the evening to relax and unwind before heading to bed, especially after a busy day. Put your phone away, turn off the TV and take a warm bath an hour or two before bed. A good bath can relax both the body and the mind and will give you a chance to forget about the stresses of your day.
So, what’s the best way to incorporate these super-duper essential oils into bath time? Make the most of your pre-sleep ritual and ease away end-of-day anxieties with a good bath and shower oil, (we love Bramley’s Soothing Bath & Shower Oil). With essential oils of chamomile, lavender & geranium, this oil will let your body and mind unwind while leaving your skin feeling silky smooth and smelling amazing.
What keeps you up at night? More often than not, it’s an active mind caught up in worry and anxiety… so you will need a little something to help with that… Bramley’s Calm Balm has been created to comfort you in times of stress or need, and it can also be used to help you get a good night’s sleep. Apply this multi-purpose calm to your pressure points and let the rosehip, chamomile & yarrow essential oils work their magic. It’s like having your own little spa evening…
Just before your head hits the pillow, we can’t recommend enough finding a good quality pillow mist (just like Bramley’s Sleep Spray) to spritz your pillow with… with its mix of chamomile, lavender and yarrow it really does help you drift off to the land of nod, easing you into a restful night’s sleep. We’ve tried it and we can confirm it works wonders (especially paired with a good quality set of bed linen…).
Whichever scent you choose, we hope it helps you sleep better and more deeply. Sweet dreams all…