Four hours after you crawled into bed for a night’s rest, your head is still buzzing. Thoughts of the past stream through your mind, and thoughts of tomorrow pass by. You toss in your bed and occasionally sigh and yawn.
You desperately want to sleep, and you consider how tired you will be in the morning if something does not change.
As you toss again in your bed, you are faced with a realization: Having tried everything, maybe, as a last resort, why not try a different approach? It might make sense to utilize aromatherapy and learn where to put lavender oil for sleep.
The powerful relaxant on your mind is delicate lavender. It leaves your mind clear and ready for a little nap or a long doze.
There is no need to “force” yourself to relax; it happens naturally. As you inhale and exhale the fresh and warm aroma, the pressure to think, the need to relax, and the want for sleep—they fade. Can knowing where to put lavender oil for sleep make it this easy?
Sleeplessness may seem like an ordinary fact of life for those with chronic sleep issues—but things do not always need to be done the hard way. Laying perfectly still and waiting for sleep to come may not always work.
That is why many people turn to aromatherapy to increase relaxation and promote a more restful night’s sleep.
From headaches to sleep trouble, lavender oil is a staple for the conscious consumer with a need for organic, botanical, and natural solutions. Doctors and holistic authorities promote this oil, the essence of the sweet-smelling plant.
By knowing where to put lavender oil, you can enjoy a smooth introduction to an easy sleep.
In this post, we cover the essential areas where this multi-purpose botanical oil can be placed for maximum relaxation and offer a few suggestions for choosing your lavender oil
Choosing Your Lavender Oil
You may already have your favorite pure or blended lavender oil. If not, here are some qualities to look out for when selecting a lavender oil for sleep. The better the lavender oil in terms of purity, grade, and application instructions, the better your sleep and rest will be.
Dilution: You only have to buy lavender once in a while with frequent use. Consider whether you want a pre-diluted blend or a 100% pure oil. A diluted blend is ready for use without preparation, whereas a pure oil may require additional effort (although it will probably last longer).
Grade: At the very least you want your oil to come from a source which ensures that it is therapy-grade. Some lavender oils you can find online do not come with a guarantee of quality control. So, be sure to research the brand and formula carefully before buying a watered-down or ineffective blend.
Application: You may think that you can always directly apply essential oils like lavender to your skin, but in some cases, you will want to carefully dilute the formula to a lower, more skin-friendly concentration.
Your Options: Where to Put Lavender Oil for Sleep
Now that you know how to select among the various lavender oil concentrations and blends, you are ready to understand where to place your recently purchased lavender oil for maximum effectiveness.
Hands
The first area to place lavender oil for relaxation and better sleep is on your hands. Cup your hands; place 2 or 3 drops of the lavender oil, then rub your palms together.
The essential oil will make its way into your bloodstream naturally through the skin. Smelling the oil will give a more immediate boost to its naturally relaxing effects. So, place your hands together under your nose; take a few deep breaths, and enjoy. After 20 minutes, you should feel the full effects.
Pillow & Bedding
Like the cupped hand’s method, in this step, you put a drop of lavender on your palms. Rub them together, and gently massage the calming oil into your pillow for a more long-lasting effect on easing yourself to sleep.
By adding lavender to your pillow, you will experience lavender’s relaxing ability all-night as you breathe. In the morning, you will wake up feeling refreshed and revitalized by a good night’s rest.
Arms, Legs, Feet, & Wrists
If your body is fatigued and sore from a long day, the pain and tension may be keeping you awake. For this sleep problem, you can apply a few drops of lavender oil on any area of your body.
Just as in cupped hands, the lavender’s serene scent and properties will naturally enter your bloodstream over the course of a few minutes. Peaking at 20 minutes, the effects of the lavender will calm you for hours—working long after you have peacefully fallen asleep.
Head
Finally, you can also apply lavender to your temples (and the back of your neck) for a strongly relaxing aroma to dissipate the stress and tension that is paining you and keeping you awake. As the oil penetrates the surface of the skin, you will begin to feel a soothing effect on your tension, stress, and even headache.
Whole Body
To create your own world of pleasant relaxation, try hopping in a hot bath before bed. Let true and complete calm overcome you by adding a few drops of lavender oil to the bath water for a whole-body experience. The oil will dissolve in the water and begin entering your bloodstream to relax your entire body.
Final Thoughts
A long list of prescriptions and over-the-counter sleep aids come with a long list of dangers and side effects. These include burning hands and feet, constipation, dizziness, headaches, weakness, and daytime drowsiness. These side effects and possible drug interactions no longer have to be a part of your life.
Using lavender oil on your bedding, over your body, and in a bath will help you holistically reach sleep in a safe and side-effect-free way. In the morning, you can awake to a clean, refreshing floral bouquet right from your pillow.
