Scents That Help You Sleep Better

Tap to Read ➤ Renuka Savant

No thanks to the enormous amount of stress we constantly carry, it is becoming increasingly difficult to get a good night's sleep for most of us. Wait a minute before you pop that pill, as we've got aromatherapy to your rescue.

The earliest mention of aromatherapy can be found in Dioscorides' De Materia Medica , which lists various oils with their benefits and the beliefs attached to them.

Fragrances have the unmistakable power to make us relive memories. The human mind is capable of discerning thousands of smells, and every scent is associated with a particular memory.

Each one of us, knowingly or unknowingly, has a powerful association with certain scents, be it good or bad. For instance, a whiff of lemon blossoms may remind a person of a warm summer afternoon, whereas cinnamon can take one straight to a festive dinner with family and friends.

The fragrance of cologne is typically favored by many, but if you associate it with a person you dislike, you are most likely to have the same feeling for the fragrance as well.

Aromatherapy captures the power of fragrances and makes use of the same in healing the body and the spirit. As an unconventional therapeutic method, it may not find favor with one and all, but when you compare it to harsh medication, aromatherapy does seem worth a try.

The list of fragrances that follow may not magically put you to sleep, but they will assist you in relaxing your mind, and induce a sense of calm.

Lavender The reputation of lavender as a calming herb is legendary. It is known to soothe frayed nerves and bring about a sense of relaxation. Also, lavender incense is often used while meditation, proof enough of its use as a relaxant.

Use it like this... Before bedtime, take a warm bath using lavender bath salts or soap. If you don't fancy taking a bath before you sleep, light up a lavender-scented candle in your room. You could also apply a lavender-scented body lotion before you hit the snooze button.

Jasmine Jasmine is a versatile fragrance, in the sense that it is calming and refreshing at same time. Additionally, this fragrance is known to possess aphrodisiac properties as well. Studies have noted jasmine to induce deep sleep in people.

Use it like this... Spray jasmine-scented water onto your bed linen for maximum effect. To make this, fill up a spray bottle with water and add 8-10 drops of pure jasmine oil to it. Your delicious-smelling jasmine water is ready to use. You could also spritz some jasmine perfume on a cotton ball and keep this inside your pillow case.

Vanilla There is something special about the fragrance of vanilla. Even a whiff of it takes you directly to a warm bakery with counters stocked with fresh scones and pastries.

Yes, vanilla generally evokes happy memories, and is therefore, a favorite fragrance for many. Vanilla acts as an effective antidepressant, and is also known to aid in lowering blood pressure.

Use it like this... Vanilla-scented lotions and fragrances are all over the place, so use them as you wish. A massage with vanilla oil can put you to sleep before you can say the word 'sleep'. Fill a jar with water and immerse some vanilla bark in it. Place this on your nightstand to get an occasional whiff of vanilla throughout the night.

Chamomile These pretty flowers aren't just eye candy, as connoisseurs of chamomile tea are sure to tell you. Soothing and relaxing, the fragrance of chamomile works well to ease stress, and makes you feel sleepy.

Use it like this... If you are fond of chamomile tea, do have a cup before you hit the bed. But remember to inhale the vapors as you sip on the delicious concoction. Also, chamomile-laden oils and cosmetics are widely available, so you are free to take a pick.

Rose Roses are beautiful and romantic and invoke positivity. The mild, flowery fragrance of rose is delightful. An interesting aspect is that most of us tend to associate roses with happy occasions, which make it a natural relaxant.

Use it like this... Rose-scented oils, candles, and cosmetics are widely available. However, the best way to make use of roses is to go natural, and have a bunch of these fresh flowers in a vase on your nightstand.

Sandalwood

Sandalwood has been around for centuries, and various ancient cultures have hemmed about its effectiveness in providing relief from insomnia. It has been known to allay fears of people experiencing emotional turmoil.

Use it like this... Light up sandalwood incense sticks in your room before bedtime. Sandalwood oil can also be used in the bath, or as a spray, just like jasmine can. If you manage to get your hands on a genuine sandalwood figurine, keep it close to your bed, so as to enjoy the divine fragrance.

Our fondness for fragrances is an extremely personal issue, as we usually have certain memories associated with them. Therefore, the fragrances mentioned here may or may not aid each and everyone. The key here, is to experiment and discover a fragrance that your senses agree with, and make the best use of it.