We love a good scent around here, but aren’t really big fans of those artificial smells. I struggle to wear some perfumes (even if I love the scent!) because I find myself with a headache after a while. When it comes to the home, I love cleaning with natural essential oils, especially citrus or eucalyptus.
For bedtime though, there are certain essential oils that have been shown to help relaxation and send you off into a peaceful slumber. Your body will respond best to scents that you like, and everyone – here are a few of our faves
Bergamot
Used in Italian folk medicine and thought to have antibacterial, anaesthetic and analgesic effects, studies have shown that this citrus fruit may also help with a reduction in heart rate, blood pressure and stress.
Jasmine
The sweet smelling jasmine has long been thought to promote a more restful sleep, with recent research suggesting it also helps with reducing anxiety and increasing mental performance (helloo 3pm!)
Roman Chamomile
We’ve all heard that a cup of chamomile tea before bed is meant to help you relax, so it makes sense that the essential oil has the same effect. There are different varieties of chamomile, and for helping with sleep it’s thought that roman chamomile with a light, floral scent, is the one to go for.
Lavender
There have been plenty of studies on lavender and sleep over the years, so this essential oil really has been proven to aid in better quality of sleep.
Ylang Ylang
Anything that comes from a tropical plant has got to be good, surely?! Ylang Ylang is considered to be a sedative, with a positive effect on inflammation, blood flow and emotions.
TIP: Try putting a few drops of your favourite essential oils into a spray bottle with some water and mist in your bedroom before bedtime! As always, make sure you aren’t allergic or sensitive to any of these essential oils before putting them near your skin.
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