Most of us have those nights when we’re tossing and turning or those weeks when we can’t seem to fall asleep or stay asleep for whatever reason. Getting a good night’s sleep can feel like an unsolvable puzzle at times.
There are so many remedies and tips to try if you’re having trouble getting some shut-eye from trading your mattress for a new one, getting some blackout curtains, trying a weighted blanket, investing in a sound machine, meditation… the list goes on. One other option that could help? Using scent to lull you to sleep. The National Sleep Foundation says that certain scents could be used as a tool to get you to sleep faster. According to the Foundation, the olfactory system (aka your sense of smell) is directly linked to the emotional center in your brain, so smelling soothing scents can cause your body to release relaxing chemicals that can help you in the sleep department. Some sleep-aid scents include essential oils like lavender, cedarwood, geranium, ylang-ylang, bergamot, sandalwood, and frankincense.