How Can Essential Oils Enhance Sleep Quality?

It’s no surprise that many people globally suffer from lack of sleep. In fact, just in the United States alone, the American Psychological Association found that 42 percent of adults reported fair or poor sleep quality, and 43 percent reported stress as being the largest factor. Using essential oils to help you fall asleep safe and sound is a healthy, natural practice. Aromatic oils are known to have therapeutic qualities and thus, promote relaxation of the mind and body.

Plus, essential oils are a safe alternative to conventional methods, like sleeping pills, which have sedating effects, but come with the risk of potential negative side effects like dizziness, daytime drowsiness, and changes in appetite. The way essential oils work is by activating the parts of the brain that control the limbic system, aka the “emotional brain”, when inhaled.

Certain scents like Lavender and Frankincense essential oils can improve sleep quality when inhaled, while others can energize and promote focus, such as many citrus-based scents, like Sweet Orange and Lemon essential oils.

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Many essential oils are recognized as “adaptogens,” meaning they can adapt to the person inhaling them and can have varying effects on people. So, if Lavender is an aroma that triggers sedation and relaxation for you, then your body can begin to recognize it each time as a sedative and relaxant in your scent memory.

Alongside their aromatherapeutic qualities, essential oils have anti-inflammatory qualities when applied topically and can also help relieve muscle soreness and pain to help you sleep better. Our favorite essential oils for relaxing muscles are Sweet Marjoram, which is an anti-inflammatory agent that relieves tension, and Spearmint for soothing muscle soreness. Check out our selection of essential oil scents that will help you enjoy a great night’s sleep.

You can combine your essential oils routine before bed with other self-care activities, like meditation, yoga, breathing exercises and journaling for the best sleep. Certain essential oils have relaxing and balancing effects that can help center and calm your mind for meditation.

If you’re looking for an all-in-one sleep remedy, check out Way of Will’s Sleep Tight Remedy, which is a natural essential oil blend that can be applied to the wrists, temples, or behind the ears to address insomnia, anxiety and depression.