Like most of us, my sleep during the first few months of the year was pretty interrupted. The beginning of the pandemic had a lot of people having bizarre dreams or completely thrown off sleep patterns. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 30% of adults aren’t getting a sufficient amount of sleep even without a global pandemic. I can’t imagine what the percentage was during the height of the pandemic.
It’s important to note that having an efficient night’s rest is very important for the body. Getting a healthy amount of rest can aid in weight loss, improved concentration, and lessens the chances of heart disease and stroke. In order to help increase my relaxation and ease the overthinking that happens when you are laying in bed at night, I have incorporated lavender essentials oils into my nighttime routine.
Lavender has been known to reduce stress and anxiety as well as lower high blood pressure. It’s even known to help aid women suffering from postpartum depression. Before I hop into bed I apply lavender oil to my temples and the bottoms of my feet. I also have a Lavender linen spray that I spray on my pillows before bed. I have to say when I do this I sleep right through the night. No restlessness at all and I wake up feeling well-rested.
If you don’t want to go the lavender oil route below are some additional remedies for a great night’s sleep!
- Avoid caffeinated beverages after 2 pm.
- Try not to look at your phone when you get into bed. I know…its hard to not get that last-minute Instagram scrolling in but the blue light in phone screens interferes with your body melatonin production. Since melatonin is the chemical your brain produces that regulates sleep, phone activity before bed can really throw off your sleep.
- Try not to eat close to the time you are heading to bed. Eating and then laying down is never good and can also cause acid reflux which can then lead to a very uncomfortable night’s sleep.
Lavender products that I use at night: DRMTLGY Linen Mist and Aura Cacia Lavender Oil.
