The following article was written by Anne Menik for CEO in Her.
Did you know that 1 in 3 US adults are not getting the required seven hours of sleep each night, and 164 million Americans struggle with sleep at least one night a week? In fact, up to 30 percent of adults have chronic insomnia. As a nation, we are struggling to sleep, and it’s affecting our quality of life.
In this article, I’ll cover some of the most effective natural wellness tips for sleep, including essential oils and meditation.
Why You Should Opt for Natural Sleep Solutions
Typically, if you’re laying awake at night, a doctor would prescribe you sleeping pills – the most widely used medical treatment for insomnia. But sleeping pills are not free from side effects.
Ambien, one of the most common sleeping pills, was approved in 1992. Since its approval, 66 deaths have been attributed to this drug. But according to a study, this figure is a lot higher, with researchers estimating 500,000 people have unnecessarily died in the US due to sleeping pill use.
Ultimately, natural sleep solutions are safer and oftentimes more effective. By avoiding prescription sleeping pills, you’ll be also avoiding the range of serious side effects they are associated with: everything from weight gain to addiction to death.
Essential Oils
Certain scents have the ability to promote relaxation by helping to calm the nervous system, getting us ready for sleep. This study found that smelling jasmine essential oil was just as effective at calming the nervous system as a prescription sleeping pill but doesn’t come with the negative side effects.
Rubbing the essential oil on your skin or using a diffuser to inhale the oil before going to sleep will help you have a restful night. When inhaled, essential oils stimulate nerves in the nose to send an immediate signal to the brain to induce certain feelings like relaxation.
The Best Essential Oils for Sleep
- Lavender
- Vetiver
- Roman Chamomile
- Bergamot
- Sandalwood
- Ylang ylang
- Serenity
- Adaptiv
Click here to purchase these essential oils.
Meditation
A racing mind is a common symptom of insomnia, and meditation is one of the most effective solutions. During meditation, you focus on your breath. Breathing in slowly, holding the breath, and breathing out slowly. This breath work calms your nervous system in as few as five deep breaths, helping you to relax, unwind, and decrease neurological activity, blood pressure, and cortisol levels.
A study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association found that when participants with sleeping issues practiced meditation, they were able to fall asleep more easily and have better quality sleep.
If you are wondering how to meditate for sleep, check out this article I wrote that covers three effective breathing techniques for anxiety that also work perfectly for inducing sleep.
Key Takeaways
Sleeping can be difficult. But if you want to live a long, happy, and productive life, learning how to sleep better is vital. Opt for natural sleeping solutions like essential oils and meditation to transform the way you sleep.
For personal advice and coaching on treating insomnia naturally, reach out to me. I am an Accredited Buteyko breathing practitioner and essential oil distributor. I would love to help you.
Article written by Anne Menik. Follow Essential Anne at www.essentialanne.com for more on looking, loving, and living healthier. Learn more about her story on our blog, or reach out to her at info@essentialanne.com or on social media by clicking here.
