Enhance Your Rest with These Soothing Aromas
For thousands of years, aromatherapy has been said to inspire a range of emotions, states and actions – relaxation included. And while it’s not the ticket to deeper sleep, certain scents have been shown to sooth our minds and bodies, preparing us for better rest. Whatever you select as your sleep scent of choice, the NHS suggests combining with meditation or gentle stretching for maximum benefits. What’s more, we recommend sleep tech that always has your back, like our Hybrid® mattresses.
Lavender
Look up scents for sleep, and you’ll see ‘will lavender help you sleep?’ at the top of almost every advice piece. And the answer, in most cases, will be yes. One of the oldest and most popular scent remedies for sleep, it’s often praised by experts for its insomnia-reducing properties. But don’t just ask yourself does lavender help you sleep; while the NHS says lavender can help us build a comfortable, soothing sleep space, there’s a whole host of calming benefits that extend far beyond catching Zzzs. So yes, you’ll find it in almost every scent blend for sleep on the market, but its versatile floral notes mean you’ll also find it in body butters, bath oils and perfumes – meaning you can tailor make your own self-care ritual. To fully set the scene for self-care, invest in a down-like Hybrid™ Duvet, the cushioning comfort of our Hybrid™ Pillow and some soft bed linens – then spritz a lavender scented pillow spray over your bed for optimum tranquillity.
Chamomile
If you’ve tried lavender for sleep, the chances are chamomile would have been thrown in the mix. It is, however, one of the best scents for sleep in its own right. Lauded for its relaxing effects, The Sleep Charity recommends chamomile with other mindful techniques to help ease stress, which – in turn – can lead to a more restful sleep. To make the most of this iconic sleep scent, double up the aromatherapy benefits with chamomile tea, or steep in hot milk for a sweeter twist that helps you feel ready for bed.
Clary Sage
One of the lesser known therapeutic scents, clary sage has long been in humans’ toolkits as an aid to various health issues. As for sleep, the Sleep Charity recommends it as a calming scent, which can go a long way to helping keep our minds in check, allowing us to drift off easier. It’s no wonder ‘clary’ translates literally as ‘clear’ in Latin. But along with being one of the most soothing scents for bedtime, it is also said to help us stay asleep once we’re deep in it.
Rose
Not just a scent for romance, it’s said that rose scents have shown themselves as potential aromatherapy for sleep. Whether you opt for Damask, Turkish or Bulgarian rose, their calming floral qualities are a great scent to unwind with before bed. And the best part is, rose is one of the most commonly used scents around, so you’ll find it in various candles, perfumes or diffusers. Try a natural blend over synthetic rose scents for the most authentic experience.
Jasmine
Jasmine has long been renowned for its scent quality. Heady, intense and floral, there’s even reports of it being used by Cleopatra herself during her iconic reign. In fact, the ancient Egyptians are said to have used Jasmine to help them sleep and calm nerves. Nowadays, it’s popular component in specially blended sleep scents, since the smell is so long lasting.
Bergamot
Many people find reducing stress is the key to sleeping better, and that’s where Bergamot comes in. A member of the citrus family, it’s not just known for being in Earl Grey tea; it’s also said to help calm minds from stress. It’s why you’ll find it in many sleep mist blends, and it often pairs well with other scents for sleep, like lavender and ylang-ylang. You can also combine with other citruses like lemon or lime for a refreshing wakeup call in the morning.
Ylang-Ylang
Sweet, floral and slightly spicy, ylang-ylang is one of the most sleep-friendly essential oils around. Another sense-soother, you might know it if you’re into yoga or meditation, since it’s renowned for helping clear the mind. You can use it on its own by adding a few drops of oil to a diffuser to maximise the silage, or mix with patchouli and chamomile for a sweet and earthy blend.
Sandalwood
Like many rituals for better sleep, many begin way before bedtime. Like light exercise or filling your diet with healthy foods. In fact, the NHS also recommends mindfulness as a useful tool when it comes to reducing stress, anxiety, and promoting calmer thoughts for better rest. And woodsy, earthy sandalwood can make all the difference. Known for its grounding properties, combine with moments of mindfulness throughout the day to prepare your mind for a more restful sleep – even better if you’re able to do so in nature. If you’re not blessed with green surroundings, you can experience the benefits of walking in nature with our Reflexology Slippers, which massage your feet to evoke feelings of relaxation. A match made in heaven with sandalwood, if you ask us.
Cedar
It’s not just Sandalwood which has grounding properties; woody scents like cedar (or cedarwood) are often considered the best aromatherapy oils to help sleep. It’s been said to have sedative effects; when you inhale, your body may release serotonin, which then leads to melatonin being produced – the hormone that helps us sleep. The best part is, despite countless varieties of cedar being on the market, they all have the same benefits. Plus, they play well with other sleep-friendly scents like lavender.
Lemon Balm
With a mild lemon scent, you’d be forgiven for thinking lemon balm isn’t a powerhouse when it comes to helping people sleep. But its properties extend far beyond aromatherapy for sleep: when ingested as part of selected alternative therapy blends, numerous studies have shown it to help participants calm anxiety and sleep better. You’ll find it in many natural medicines as a result, but for scent-specific uses, we recommend trying with herbal clary sage and mint to help declutter your mind.
Valerian
It’s not just lemon balm you might recognise in commercial sleep aids; valerian – or valerian root - has long been relied upon for its sedative properties. Ancient Greek and Roman civilisations prescribed it as a treatment for insomnia, and pharmacists today often do thanks to its soothing properties. In terms of aromatherapy for better sleep, valerian might not be your first choice. It’s known for smelling unpleasant, but you can neutralise the smell and enjoy the full benefits by blending with hops, lavender or cedarwood. Maximise them further by rubbing topically over key parts of the body, like your pulse points. If you feel like valerian is doing all the heavy lifting, but you’re still not sleeping well, consider an instant mattress upgrade from one of our Hybrid® toppers. It’ll help you extend the life of your old mattress without breaking the bank.
Scent is a powerful tool for relaxation and sleep, but it’s best used alongside an array of different science-backed techniques and products to boost your wellbeing even more. Like gentle stretching, breathing techniques to help you make the most of the scents you’re trying out, and comfortable, technology-packed mattresses that feel like your safe space – like our Hybrid® range. Putting your mind at ease and setting the scene for better rest.
