Aromatherapy, or the use of essential oils—the aromatic compounds found in plants—for therapeutic purposes, has been around since ancient times, with many cultures using aromatics for healing, meditation, and relaxation.
It’s a great way to help you wind down before bed, and it's especially helpful if you're having trouble getting to sleep.
Strong scents from certain plant oils help us fall asleep because they reduce stress levels in our brains by releasing calming chemicals into our bodies.
There are two specific types of aromas that are especially helpful at reducing stress: lavender and chamomile. Both of these scents activate parts of our brains that control our breathing and heart rate, which helps us physically relax, while also blocking other parts of our brain from being too active, which helps us mentally relax.
The best part? It's easy to make! All it takes is some essential oils and a few other simple ingredients.
Here’s how to make an aromatherapy spray that will help you get a good night's rest:
You will need:
4oz dark glass spray bottle
2 oz of vodka
Distilled water (approximately 2oz)
10 drops of lavender or chamomile essential oil
10 drops of cedar wood essential oil
10 drops of jasmine or bergamot essential oil
A small funnel
Instructions:
Use your funnel to pour the vodka into your dark bottle (The dark glass helps keep the oils’ delicate composition safe from light, which would degrade them).
Add the essential oils to the bottle. You can try different ratios of lavender and chamomile, or use only one or the other for different calming scent profiles.
Fill the bottle with distilled water, leaving a little space at the top of the bottle.
Screw the lid onto the top of your bottle and give it a shake.
Spray your pillows or sheets with the mixture to promote relaxation and better sleep!
Enjoy!
