Best essential oils for sleep and anxiety

You know those nights when you can't get to sleep? Or those days when you feel like the world is against you? Essential oils are the solution. But which ones do you use? We've got some great suggestions!

If you're struggling to get a good night's sleep or are suffering from anxiety, essential oil for sleep can help. Essential oils are often used as part of holistic healing and natural medicine because they contain powerful compounds that help your body heal itself. They can be used in a variety of ways, including:

• Applying them topically
• Diffusing them into your home or office
• Inhaling them directly from the bottle (or diffuser)

Here are some of our favourite essential oil blends for sleep and anxiety relief

Lavender

A popular essential oil for sleep is lavender. Lavender is known for its calming and soothing properties, which makes it a great oil to use at night. Lavender essential oil has been shown to ease anxiety and depression, as well as stress and migraines.

Used for sleep, lavender has a sedative effect which can help both sleep onset and quality, enhancing a deep and restful sleep. For anxiety, lavender has the ability to increase alpha brain waves. These are the ones that are increased during meditation, resulting in a calm and focused mind. Using natural skin care products that contain pure lavender essential oil may assist in reducing anxiety throughout the day. An essential oil roll on stick or inhaler is a handy item to keep in your handbag or on your office desk to use during times of stress and anxiety. Using lavender body massage oil is a great way to finish you day and get your body and mind ready for sleep.

If you're interested in using lavender but aren't sure how to go about it, here are a few tips:

• You may dab a little oil on your pulse points such as the wrists and temples for immediate relief during stressful situations
• Dilute your essential oils before applying them topically or diffusing them in the air (this will allow you to use less of the oil and prevent irritation)
• The best way to apply diluted essential oils is by using essential oil roller as they're easy to use and gentle enough for even sensitive skin! You may also try making an aromatherapy bracelet by soaking cotton balls with diluted versions of your favourite scents
• A few drops of lavender essential oil on your pillow or in an oil diffuser is an effective natural way to treat mild insomnia and promote a good night's sleep

Chamomile

Chamomile is a calming and relaxing essential oil that can help you sleep and manage anxiety. Chamomile can be used to soothe your skin, improve digestion, and help with mood. It is safe for babies and children, too!

Chamomile's sedative properties are derived from its chemical constituents, including flavonoids, coumarin, phenylpropanoids, terpenes, and triterpenes. The highest concentration of these compounds is found in the flower's calyx, which is where the essential oil is extracted from.

Chamomile also has anti inflammatory properties that can help to reduce skin irritation and inflammation. This makes it a good choice for those who suffer from acne or other forms of breakouts.

When inhaled, chamomile essential oil can help calm the mind and body. Studies show that the smell of chamomile has a positive effect on mood and helps people fall asleep faster.

You can add it to your bath water, diffuse it in your bedroom before bedtime, or apply it directly to your skin.

Bergamot

Bergamot essential oil is extracted from the peel of the bergamot orange, which is a citrus fruit native to China and Southeast Asia. Bergamot’s aroma has been described as sweet, fruity and fresh with a distinct floral fruity character.

Although bergamot essential oil has a citrus aroma, unlike other citrus oils which can stimulate and invigorate, bergamot oil has a calming effect. It works by slowing the heart rate and reducing blood pressure, providing an overall calming effect. It is beneficial for balancing energy and blends well with base note oils such as sandalwood. Bergamot oil makes a great addition to sleep blends or used daily to promote calm and balance emotions.

Bergamot essential oil can be used to help improve sleep quality and support relaxation without causing drowsiness or making you feel “out of it.” It can also help relieve stress and anxiety by calming your nervous system and promoting feelings of calmness in general.

Bergamot provides relief for skin issues like acne, eczema, psoriasis and other inflammatory conditions that may result from those conditions or even aging skin due to sun damage over time (eek!).

Cedarwood

If mixing your own essential oil blends, cedarwood is a beautiful oil to include to provide earthy, woody undertones. Cedarwood essential oil is a great stress reliever, it can help with anxiety and is found in this essential oil blend.

It also stimulates the production of serotonin, the body’s happy hormone which may help improve depression and anxiety. As serotonin is the precursor to melatonin, the sleep hormone, cedarwood oil can also assist in treating sleeplessness. If you find it difficult to fall asleep and you are waking frequently during the night, cedarwood may be the perfect oil for you.

Cedarwood essential oil has many uses; it’s often used in aromatherapy to help promote sleep and relaxation, but it can also be used in massage oils or diffusers. As the aroma of cedarwood is mild, it is often used in conjunction with more aromatic oils for sleep and anxiety such as ylang ylang. 

If you decide to use cedarwood essential oil on your skin, be mindful of its warnings against using the product during pregnancy because it may cause contractions or bleeding in the uterus.

Marjoram

Marjoram is one of the best essential oils for sleep and anxiety. It’s calming, relaxing and soothing, making it perfect for those who struggle to get or stay asleep. Marjoram essential oil is also great for relieving tension headaches, muscle aches and can be found in this essential oil blend.

Marjoram is an essential oil with a warm, minty scent that helps to calm your mind and body, which can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. It also has a calming effect on the nervous system, which makes it great for people who have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep because of anxiety.

To use marjoram as a massage oil: mix about 20 drops of marjoram essential oil with 2 tbsp carrier oil like jojoba or almond.

When diffusing at night: add 5-6 drops of marjoram into a diffuser full of water before going to bed each night. You can also add 2 drops each evening when making your night time tea or coffee if you're sensitive enough that inhaling essential oils bothers you during the day but still want their benefits!

Essential oil blends

Essential oil blends aren’t just confined for use in an oil burner or diffuser. If you suffer from anxiety throughout the day, keeping an essential oil roller with you may be helpful to provide instant relief during stressful situations. As anxiety and sleep disturbances often go hand in hand, we have provided some information on the top essential oils to use in such cases.

Here are some essential oil blends for sleep and anxiety:

• Sleep Blend: Lavender, Roman Chamomile, Vetivert

For this blend, mix equal parts of these three oils in a roller bottle or spray bottle. Spray on your pillow or beside your bed before going to sleep. This blend will help you relax and drift off into slumberland much faster than usual!

• Anxiety Blend: Peppermint, Roman Chamomile, Ylang Ylang

This blend is perfect for when you need to calm down and get some perspective - it's also great if you have trouble sleeping because of stress! Mix equal parts of these three oils in a roller bottle or spray bottle and apply them directly to the temples, back of the neck, wrists... wherever it might help!

Alternatively, if you don’t have time to mix your own oils, you can purchase ready made essential oil blends such as Deep Sleep, Tranquility and Sleep Well.

Final thoughts

Essential oils are an effective natural remedy to benefit mild anxiety and promote a good quality sleep. When using essential oils it is important to choose quality oils, and where possible choose pure organic essential oils. High quality essential oils will not only smell much cleaner, but they will be more effective at achieving the desired therapeutic effect. 

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