Good sleep rarely begins in bed. It begins an hour earlier, in the small signals we give ourselves that the day is over. Scent is one of the most powerful of those signals.
Build a wind-down hour
Dim the lights, put the phone in another room and diffuse a calming blend such as Layl (lavender, chamomile and cedarwood). Repeating the same scent every evening teaches your mind to associate it with rest.
A two-minute temple massage
Dilute two drops of oil in a teaspoon of carrier oil. Massage slowly in circles at the temples and the base of the skull while breathing in for four counts and out for six.
Scent your pillow, lightly
A single drop on the corner of your pillowcase is plenty. Less is more at night.
A gentle note
Aromatherapy is a lovely complement to healthy sleep habits — it is not a medical treatment. If you have ongoing sleep difficulties, are pregnant, or have a medical condition, please speak to your doctor before using essential oils.
