For a lot of years now, I have been preaching about the importance of healthy living, which includes getting a good night’s sleep. Healthy sleep affects everything! You know it. I know it. But, I gotta admit…I need to do a little more practicing what I preach!
Have you ever experienced jet lag? Yikes! Last time I flew overseas, I remember feeling like I was on drugs – I had an awful buzzy feeling and couldn’t think straight. Some people are living with chronic sleep deprivation, and walk around feeling like this all the time. It has become their “normal.” If this is you, over time, this can seriously impact your health, your relationships, and even your safety.
And our bodies reset and do their best healing work while we’re sleeping. So when we don’t get enough, it creates a stress response, and our bodies can’t properly regenerate, detox, and heal. If we’re talking about children, add “grow” to that list.
So sleep is kind of a big deal!!
Thankfully, there are natural tools for getting good sleep! Yep – I’m going to share them with you!
According to the Sleep Foundation, Using smartphones, laptops, tablets, or other electronic devices – even watching a movie right before bed “delay your body’s internal clock…suppresses the release of the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin, and makes it more difficult to fall asleep.”
Start preparing for sleep at least an hour before bed by unplugging! A few ideas:
- Unplug from all screens (including your phone)
- Read a book
- Spend some time in prayer
- Dim the lights
- Soak in a warm bath with epsom salt and essential oils
- Listen to soft music
- Diffuse good sleep oils
- Chat with family
- Sip some chamomile tea.
And try some of the following supplements and oils to pursue sleep naturally:
A RELAXING EVENING BATH
A warm soak in a hot bath filled with Young Living essential oil-infused Epsom Salts or one of our relaxing bath bombs could be just what you need to prepare for those sweet (and lasting) dreams!
Have a warm, soft robe ready when you get out, and try to head straight to bed to avoid getting re-stimulated by technology, sugar, or the “cares of life.”
Check out the following articles for relaxing oil-infused bath ideas:
CORTISTOP®
CortiStop® is a proprietary dietary supplement designed to help the body relax naturally. When under stress, the body produces cortisol. When cortisol is produced too frequently, it can have negative health consequences. CortiStop supports the glandular systems of women.*
Take 2 capsules in the morning before breakfast. If desired, for extra benefits, take another two capsule before retiring. Use daily for 8 weeks. Discontinue use for 2-4 weeks before once more resuming.
SLEEP ESSENCE™
SleepEssence contains four powerful Young Living essential oils that have unique sleep-enhancing
properties in a soft gel vegetarian capsule for easy ingestion. Combining Lavender, Vetiver, Valerian, and Rue essential oils with melatonin—a well-known sleep aid—SleepEssence is a powerful and natural way to enable a full night’s rest.
Take 1–2 soft gels 30–60 minutes before bedtime.
Immupro
This workhorse chewable has a whooole bunch of immune-supporting ingredients, including a bit of Melatonin! Which is also helpful to brain health, among other things! I take it often and my grandkids take 1/4-1/2 of a chewable when needed.
THE POWER OF ESSENTIAL OILS AND AROMATHERAPY
I use a variety of essential oils at bedtime. Here are just a few of my favorites…
RUTAVALA ROLL-ON
RutaVaLa Essential Oil Roll-On utilizes a proprietary blend of Ruta, Lavender, and Valerian essential oils.
Although Lavender and Valerian essential oils are well known, the Young Living RutaVaLa oil blend includes the less well known—yet still effective—Ruta oil.
The Ruta graveolens herb is farmed, harvested, and distilled at Young Living’s Ecuador farm. RutaVaLa oil is formulated to create a refreshing aroma that can be quickly and conveniently applied to your wrists, neck, or temples. Honestly, the scent of this one is not my favorite, but it works! And some people love it, and even use it as a perfume!
PEACE & CALMING®
Peace & Calming® is a gentle, sweet blend of Ylang Ylang, Orange, Tangerine, Patchouli, and Blue Tansy and is one of Young Living’s most popular essential oil blends. With a calming, sweet aroma, this blend is one you’ll love using during your children’s bedtime, as well as your own!
VETIVER ESSENTIAL OIL
I nicknamed this powerhouse “The Anti-Psycho Chick” oil! This exotic, earthy single oil is a favorite for me day and night. It was particularly cherished during my adrenal fatigue journey. Note: My husband is not allowed to use this nickname for my oil! Imagine…”Honey, do you want me to go get your…”
BOOM!
The aroma is earthy, sweet, and full of healing life! It reminds me of an early morning walk through a lush green forest filled with moist grasses, ferns, and wild herbs.
See Quieting the Mind with Vetiver for more on this powerful essential oil!
STRESS AWAY™
Remember, chronic stress is toxic, so be proactive! This sweet, slightly citrusy blend of essential oils is formulated with Lime, vanilla, copaiba, Lavender, Cedarwood, and other pure essential oils for a well-rounded and relaxing aroma that gently calms the mind, making it great for anyone who feels their thoughts or emotions easily go on overdrive!
Includes the naturally occurring constituents beta-caryophyllene, alpha-humulene, limonene, cedrol, and linalool. Can be diffused, applied topically, and even used as a personal fragrance.
Check out my bundle of hand-selected sleep resources HERE.
