Choosing the right scents to help you sleep is vital if you suffer from insomnia. Aromatherapy can be particularly helpful in the quest for better sleep, whether you have the occasional lack of restful night sleep or chronic insomnia. Citrus scents, for instance, are energizing rather than relaxing, and they will wake you up rather than help you fall asleep. So, selecting the right scents to help you sleep is very important.
Here are eight scents that can aid you in getting better sleep:
1. Lavender
For good reason, lavender is one of the most beloved sleep smells. This relaxing, peaceful smell can aid you in falling asleep by relaxing your body and mind. In addition, lavender is one of the well-researched essential oils for sleep and anxiety recipes, and it can aid with anxiety and pain alleviation, two issues that keep people awake at night. Thanks to its popularity, there are various methods to use lavender in aromatherapy, from adorning lavender sachets to lighting a bedroom candle. You can learn more about lavender oil here.
2. Geranium and Rose
Geranium and rose are combined because they smell the same and have similar properties. Although their flowers look very different, they are quite similar in some aspects. These aromatherapy oils can help you sleep better by reducing tension and anxiety. Some specialists also suggest valerian for sleep; however, it has a strong odour. A rose or geranium scent is recommended if you wish to use these scents to help you relax and fall asleep.
3. Sweet marjoram
Sweet marjoram is a suitable alternative if flower scents are not your thing. This scent has a woody, peppery undertone, even though it sounds like a flower. It smells a little like oregano, but not as strong. Sweet marjoram can help you unwind at night and fall asleep more quickly. If the other scents on this list are too sweet for you, try sweet marjoram to see if it helps.
4. Jasmine
In choosing the scents to help you sleep, jasmine is a brilliant choice if you want a more conventional floral scent. Jasmine can increase daytime alertness while also reducing restless sleep at night, a two-for-one combination that can make a significant impact on your sleep. If the efficacy of lavender has worn off on you, or you simply want to change things up with a different flowery aroma, jasmine is a good choice.
5. Vanilla
Another one of the most popular pleasant scents to help you sleep is vanilla. If you like the smell of warm baked goods, a vanilla-scented candle can help you achieve the same effect without the mess of being in the kitchen. No matter if you are trying to relieve nervous tension or wind down after a long day, vanilla can help you relax and prepare for a restful night’s sleep. Vanilla is not only relaxing but also quite soothing. The aroma is sweet and comforting, and it brings back happy and reassuring memories of your beloved people and places. So, before going to bed, think happy thoughts to help you relax and get a better night’s sleep.
6. Chamomile
To benefit from chamomile’s sleep-inducing properties, you do not have to drink it. Instead, just smelling it can give you a sense of calm and relaxation. Besides using chamomile tea to help you sleep, consider adding chamomile essential oil to your aromatherapy routine. Fragrance oils can help you relax before bed, ease tension, reduce pain, and relieve digestive upset. With chamomile fragrance oil, you will wonder how you ever lived without it.
7. Rose
Roses are ancient plants having 30-million-year-old fossils in America. Because it takes so many rose petals to make a few essential oils for sleep and anxiety recipes, rose essential oil is one of the most expensive essential oils on the market. Many individuals use rose water instead of rose essential oil to experience the lovely scent of roses at a lower cost. The amount of rose essential oil in rose water varies between 10% and 50%. Essential oils of roses and diluted rose water are extremely relaxing. In addition, Rosewater has been proven to help people feel less anxious. Rose essential oil can also help with premenstrual syndrome symptoms and enhance sleep.
8. Sandal and Cedarwood
Combining cedar and sandal produces a woodier experience. Combine the sweet and balsamic notes of cedar with the smooth and relaxing notes of sandalwood to create scents to help you sleep. Cedrol in cedarwood has sedative effects on animals and humans. Because it activates the parasympathetic nervous system, it has improved sleep quality in both young, healthy adults and older people who suffer from dementia. It is advisable to use cedarwood for at least 20 nights to see results. Sandalwood has relaxing characteristics and promotes a sense of calm and relaxation, which helps to relieve tension and anxiety.
We also recommend reading from an aromatherapist, sleep foundation and the sleep doctor.