The majority of people will experience problems of sleeping as some stage within their life-according to the American Sleep Association, over 35% adults notch up less than seven hours during a 24-hour period. However, the official guidelines suggest, between seven and nine hours are needed for our sleep to perform the healing restorative work in all adults over the age of 20, so my friends falling short on the Zs on a regular basis is not great news. There are many reasons why sleep may give us the runaround. Stress as work, financial concerns, relationship worries-all tend to crowd our minds just when we want to relax, which is why it is well worth spending the necessary time making the environment we sleep in a tranquil one. Essential oils, which have grown in a big way as an aid to slumber, could help.
The research suggests that certain scents, derived from the essential oils of plants, are particularly effective for reducing anxiety and stress and aiding sleep. Essential oils can directly impact the body through our nervous system. The olfactory nerve is responsible for our sense of smell and starts from the nose, before entering our skull through tiny holes directly to our brain and sending signals to the limbic system and amygdala, which are linked to our emotions, memory and mood.
These systems are also in charge of regulating our autonomic nervous system, which my friends can either trigger the fight- or-flight response, quickening the breath, raising blood pressure, and heart rate, or turn on the parasympathetic nervous system, which can relax the body. This is part of the reason why the scents can trigger physical reactions so quickly, often leaving us with lasting effects after the scent has gone. The theory being that essential oils react biochemically in much of the same way as anti anxiety medications will do with certain neuroreceptors.
Professor Tim Jacob of Cardiff University in the UK did, put this theory to the test. The Professor study looked as whether an odor could condition someone to enter a presleep phase ans sleep state, inducing the physiological changes being associated with rest and relaxation before and during sleep. In laboratory conditions, 24 women and 23 men were all exposed to a particular fragrance every single night for 28 days. The fragrance was lavender-based, blended with orange, cedarwood, and ylang ylang as other major ingredients.
During this time all the participants reported that their quality of sleep improved and the researchers recorded a significant reduction in the subjects, respiratory rate when exposed to the odor, which became greater as the study continued. Interestingly, researchers observed that in the women there was also a significant impact on there blood pressure, however no such effect was evident in men. This study concluded that a positive feedback loop occurs as the fragrance is repetitively paired with the presleep state. In other words my friends, it is possible to condition our body’s to relax, ready for sleep, when we are using certain scents.
There are many ways that essential oils can be used to aid our sleep. They can be diluted with some water and diffused into the air or rubbed gently into acupressure points on our body. A few drops can also be added to a bath or a soothing, aromatic candle lit before our bedtime. Pillow mist sprays are become increasingly popular as they allow you to sleep in such close proximity to the scent. You can always make them yourself, but there are plenty of lovely sprays that are available to buy.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN PILLOW MIST SPRAY
Add:
A half cup of water
Half a teaspoon of witch hazel
Four to five drops of essential oil to a spray bottle and shake it up well.
Gently spray the mist over the pillows before you go to bed.
MY friends, we all are different-be prepared for some trial and error to find that scent, that will work best for you to entering the world of Nod. Here are a few ways to make your life more comfortable, more relaxing, better environment for you to get those Zzzzzz.
DISPLAYS
There is something so very comforting about being surrounded by our favorite belongings and our sentimental items, and as you know, nothing will say, home sweet home, more than the things that bring us joy. Think about some new ways you could display your photographs and your treasured possessions. Be confident and be bold with your choices-beautifully illustrated floral tea cups, record covers, or maybe a gorgeous purse. Let nothing stop you from enjoying all the thing that make you smile.
LIGHTING
Light and shade can always transform the feel and look of a room and it is definitely something you can address when creating your calm space. Take a good look as the brightness and the color of your lamps and, if you have any lampshades, look as how they soften and direct all the light. Sidelights and freestanding lamps are a fantastic way to tone down the light and will add atmosphere. Many of them can be positioned to give you the complete control over where light is projected and help you to create a softer and much more relaxing mood.
HOUSEHOLD ITEMS
Always before you introduce anything new into one of your room, take a good look as what’s already in there. If the space is limited or you prefer a slightly more minimalist look, you may want to declutter. Removing anything and anything that no longer serves you or has a real definite purpose, can make a very huge difference to the space, especially if you are a person who finds it hard to relax in a busy or cluttered environment.
GREENERY
Whether you like a cute cacti or if you like large palms, there’s no way we can deny that houseplants can bring life to a room. If you introducing some greenery you can create a natural and serene environment with amazing echoes of the great outdoors. It is so lovely to display plants with all the different patterns, textures and colors to re-create the calming essence of mother nature. It is also a beautiful thing to return to your home to some greenery during the winter months when the flowers are thin on the ground and many trees are bare. Houseplants are lovable housemates, and are relatively inexpensive.
COLOR
If you have spent a few moment considering what really relaxes you, then you may have an idea of your preferred colors. Maybe you’re drawn to the warm greens of the forest or the blues and turquoises of the sea. Whatever your choice maybe, introducing a few calming shades should change how the room feels and looks. If you don’t feel like getting out your paintbrush or you live in a rented accommodation where redecorating is not permitted, you can introduce accessories instead, such as rugs, cushions, or throws. This can inject your favorite color with minimal work.
AROMA
Candles which are naturally scented, reed diffusers, joss sticks, essential oils, and pomanders can be used to introduce a beautiful welcoming aroma to a space. Choose fragrances that you love and ones that will promote relaxation. Unwinding with some soothing music and a magazine, and the scent of lavender is a beautiful way to ease the pressures of the day.
My friends, may your life be full of peace, joy, happiness and tranquility. Humbly your Paul Earl
www.beautiflworid.com
META TITLE NATURE MADE SLEEP AID-FROM MOTHER EARTH
META DESCRIPTION Information to help people sleep with NATURE MADE SLEEP AID-FROM MOTHER EARTH
Hello Paul,
Thanks for sharing these tips. As a traveller and a house sitter between travel, I have no say in the beds that I will be sleeping in. Sometimes they are extremely comfortable and a lot of times they are not. By bringing my own essential oils with me, I think it would really help me to get a better sleep in addition to the family photos, etc. that I do try and bring with us. Do you think Vanilla would be a soothing scent as I really like the smell of vanilla?
I plan to do this for our next house sit.
Good afternoon Mary, actually I have only been experimenting with essential oils for a little over two months. I must say I am so very impressed, this is way I wrote this article. Essential oils helps me to relax, it also helps to remove all of the stress of the day. I sleep so very much better since I have been using them, my favorite is lavender, however if vanilla is what you enjoy , it will definitely do the trick. I recommend making some as I instructed in the article, and spray a little on your pillows and also on your blankets or the sheets., it will help yo so much to reach that place of total relaxation so that your sleep will be one that is heaven giving. So by all means experiment with different sense until you find that one that fits your personality and desires giving you a deep restful sleep experience. I thank you for visiting Weightlifting For A Beautiful World. If it is ever anything that we can do for you or you need something research done please reach out to us. May you always be in good health. Humbly your Paul Earl
There are some great tips here to aid sleep. Plants and greenery definitely are a good idea, they give a room a calming atmosphere and clean the air too. i like aromatherapy and Lavender is a great scent to induce sleep, I use it all the time. Do you also find that switching off electronic devices such as phones and computers is essential? Doing this certainly helps me. I like to read too. Plenty of exercise and fresh air all help you have a good healthy lifestyle and sleep patterns.
Great Article
Thank you
Good evening Louise, I think it is an excellent idea to turn off all electric devices, I do, the reason being is I believe there will be electric currents within the air if they’re on. That can affect our mind, our spirit, and our body. Lavender is my favor, I use it each and every night before I sleep. I always spread on my pillows and sheets, and throughout my bedroom. I exercise 7 days a week, All should exercise for a minimum of 3 days a week if one wants a long happy quality life. I am very happy that you are taking care of your body. I thank you for visiting Weightlifting For A Beautiful World. If it is anything that we can do for you please reach out to us. May good health always be with you. Humbly your Paul Earl.
Thank you for all your excellent natural ideas to aide in a better night’s sleep. I learned a few things reading through your article and got some new ideas for myself too.
I study herbal medicine and natural remedies so I am definitely a person who prefers natural aides. I love your ideas on lighting and color to create ambiance. Most people do not consider these options when they are faced with difficulty sleeping.
You also mentioned adding plants and greenery to your space. Plants can be wonderfully relaxing but did you know that adding plants to the room you sleep in can actually enhance your sleep (and possibly your health) simply because they will naturally fill the room with more oxygen while taking in carbon dioxide.
Thanks again for your great ideas. I will incorporate a few of these into my own routine and sleeping space and see what effect they might have for me.
Good afternoon Shannon, you and I walk some of the same paths. I have plants throughout my home, and 6 plants in my bedroom, yes I’m very aware. I use lavender at night, I spread it on my pillows and my sheets and throughout my bedroom, I find that it helps relieve stress of the day, and I sleep extremely well. You are correct many people do not understand that colors affects us. I personally like using a lot of blues and lavenders, I am happy that you were able to embrace a few of the tips that I put in this article it makes me happy to know that I was able to help someone that had knowledge of these things. You are definitely walking the road of happiness. I thank you for visiting Weightlifting For A Beautiful World, if it is anything that we can do for you please reach out to us. May you always be in good health with much happiness. Humbly your Paul Earl.