The Best Essential Oils to Overcome Your Sleepless Nights
Inside: Are you dealing with sleeping problems? Learn how to overcome and find peaceful sleep and relaxation with the use of quality, essential oils. Tips for what oils work and what you can do to start sleeping better.
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It was 2:30 a.m., and I was again staring at the clock. The house was silent as it should be with everyone in dreamland, except for me.
I got up to use the bathroom and returned to bed praying that I would fall back asleep.
You see, this wasn’t the first night that dreamland evicted me.
It had become a regular visitor.
The next day, I would be plagued with fatigue, low motivation, and the desire to get into bed often, but with a preschooler, it meant I’d need to stay awake.
In the past when I’d suffer from insomnia, I’d try over-the-counter sleep aids, but they never seemed to make a difference.
The awake nights would still plague me, so I’d resort to calling my doctor for help.
Once I exhausted the usual medications found in the local pharmacy, a stronger prescription would be called in for me.
The problem was, I developed a bad side effect from the prescription sleep meds and had to go off of them.
I knew in my gut that I could find sleep again naturally, I just needed to train myself to do it.
Sleep Begins with LifeStyle
When we’re kids, we can usually fall asleep anywhere. I remember sleeping on the hard floor like it was nothing.
I didn’t wake up at night, and if I did, I fell back to sleep quickly. Sleeping in on the weekends or till noon had no effect on my sleep patterns. Sleep problems didn’t really start until my mid-thirties.
My hormonal imbalances caused my sleep problems. More about that in another post.
Through my season with sleep woes, I’ve reached the conclusion that getting good, quality sleep is a lifestyle.
So many of us have the mindset that we don’t need to prepare our bodies for sleep.
Promoting Good Sleep
The truth is what we do during the day has a direct effect on our sleep:
- The amount of sunlight we get
- The amount of caffeine which is so hard when we need to stay awake
- Blue lights from technology
- Lack of exercise
- Eating too late at night
- Stress levels
- (other conditions that you might suffer from)
As I said above, my default reaction in the past was to ask my doctor for a prescription.
In the beginning, it did help me sleep better, but every morning I felt like a zombie. After being on the medication for a few days, I had side effects that caused more issues than I wanted.
The Benefit of Essential Oils
Can I be honest?
When someone suggested essential oils as a possible solution to my sleep woes, I was a little skeptical. I mean many say this is just snake oil. (click to tweet)
However, my desire for sleep pushed me into trying anything.
The first thing I learned is that the quality of the oil matters.
In the beginning, I didn’t think it mattered.
Can I disclose that I am a green personality? (I did the free test)
This means I research everything before I do anything.
And yes, I fall into paralysis by analysis many times. So glad I have a God that I can draw closer to in prayer because I ask for direction when my analysis tries to take over.
After researching, I sometimes (but should every time) seek God’s direction to lead me to what will heal me or guide me to make wise decisions.
Quality matters because we want to make sure that any money we spend is going towards helping with our specific needs.
My need was sleep, so I had to make sure I was getting something that was actually going to help me sleep.
Toxins and chemicals are causing problems in our bodies so finding ways to decrease the toxic burden in our bodies is important!
The last thing we want is to add more harmful products to our bodies (and this included essential oils).
Unbalanced Body Equals Problematic Sleep
Let me stop right here and say the reason for lack of sleep is that some system in our body is unbalanced.
A balanced body will find the rest it needs; sleep will be deep, and we will awaken feeling good and rested.
Essential oils help our bodies find balance.
If an oil doesn’t help, it might take a few weeks, or it might not be the oil your body needs.
Lavender helps a lot of people sleep, but it wasn’t strong enough to help me find peaceful sleep.
I use Lavender in tandem with other oils, but it helps my kids sleep!
Through trial and error, I found the oils that help me find peaceful sleep most nights.
Did you know?
Sleep problems are common during a women’s cycle so educating myself about this was important! And giving my body grace during that time of the month and finding rest in other ways has been important!
Sleep and Essential Oils
The oils I use to help me find restful, more peaceful sleep:
- Peace and Calming
- RutaVaLa
- Cedarwood
- Vetiver
During that time of the month, I also might incorporate Sleepessence or Immunpro
The truth of the matter is the best practice to put our hearts and mind at ease is through prayer. (click to tweet)
We can ask God to bless our sleep, help us relax, and recover through sleep to begin tomorrow awake and ready to meet the demands of the day by keeping our center on Him and His plans for our day.
If you want to learn more about the products I’m using to get better sleep and a healthier body.
Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask, Blindfold, Super Smooth Eye Mask (One Strap)
Philips Wake-Up Light Alarm Clock with Colored Sunrise Simulation and Sunset Fading Night Light, White (HF3520)Big Red Rooster White Noise Machine | Sound Machine For Sleeping & Relaxation | 6 Natural and Soothing Sounds | Plug In Or Battery Powered | Portable Sleep Sound Therapy for Home, Office or TravelWhite Noise Sound Machine | Portable Sleep Therapy for Home, Office, Baby & Travel | 6 Relaxing & Soothing Nature Sounds, Battery or Adapter Charging Options, Auto-Off Timer | HoMedics Sound Spa
Thanks for sharing. My best friend was just telling me recently about the power of quality essential oils. I haven’t gotten to using specific oils consistently, but I wholeheartedly believe that they help over time. Pinning this so I can use some of these combinations in the not so distant future.
I hear good things about essential oils. I have not tried them but I keep hearing about them.
Thank you. I have wrestled insomnia from youth and it’s been out of control lately. My sleep hygiene is pretty good, but the only essential oil I’ve ever tried was lavender. I have a friend who sells doTerra;will definitely research this more.
I have used lavender before. It really worked. Thank you for the info concerning the oils.
I didn’t know that some are sprayed with pesticides and chemicals. It definitely pays to research and ensure we are purchasing quality.
One thing that you mention is our bodies can be unbalanced. I know this to be true. My vitamin D and B12 levels were low; once I started taking the vitamin supplements it was incredible how this one change helped me sleep!
Marcie- yes!
I exercise regularly, walk outside in the afternoon, don’t drink caffeinated beverages after 2 pm at the latest. I avoid alcohol, use lavender oil in my diffuser, have all my screens set to go to dim yellow lighting in the early evening, dim the house lights, wear a sleep mask, have on white noise, follow the same evening routine, and take melatonin. All of this helps. Prayer is most significant. Only the Lord can grant what we can’t control or achieve through all our efforts. We take sleep for granted when we’re young, but insomnia seems to catch up with a significant percentage of women through the years.
This sounds really neat! I’ve started using essential oils (lemon and peppermint) at the office, and I’ve found they really help. I don’t doubt they help with sleep issues, too!
What wonderful suggestions for overall rest, sleep and good health, all wrapped in Godly encouragement. Beautiful!
Melissa- Thank you!
I love the Peace by DoTerra. Though I don’t have sleep issues, it really helps reduce stress and anxiety. Great information!
Lisa- Yes, essential oils can help with stress and anxiety!
Thanks, Julie. I’ve struggled with insomnia for years. And while I’ve heard of some of these tips, they are all helpful. I finally convinced my husband that taking a device to bed is not only rude to me, but also harmful in keeping him from going to sleep.
Karen- I hope you get sleep relief soon!
I struggle with sleeping too. I have also been a bit skeptical about the oils, wondering if it’s just another gimmick, expensive one at that. But you have given me pause to rethink trying them. I did try the lavender once and loved it, but it didn’t help me sleep, I just loved the smell. 🙂 Thank you for offering others to try. 🙂
Marcie- they have worked well for me! So it’s an option to try for sure! Prayers you are sleeping well soon!