Aromatherapy for Sleep
Jun 10, 2021We have a saying here at Natural Mental Health:
"Sleep is the lynchpin of good mental health."
If you're not sleeping well, you probably already know this. When you have a bad night's sleep, your mood usually drops the next day. When you sleep well, even just one night, you usually have a better mood the next day. It's a predictable impact for nearly everyone and studies show that improving sleep boosts the chances of recovering from depression by 50% (1).
If you're having a rough time sleeping, aromatherapy can be one simple tool to try. When used correctly, it's generally safe for everyone and can often provide at least a small, but generally meaningful, improvement for sleep (2, 3, 4). Pair it with other strategies (find some at the bottom of this page) for even better results.
Some key oils that have a more solid research base to support their use for sleep are:
- lavender
- ylang ylang
- cedarwood
- bergamot
- chamomile
So which oil is best for sleep?
Honestly, the best oil choice for sleep and relaxation is not the same for everyone. We suggest that you pick the one that you love the smell of and that you notice a nearly immediate calming sensation with. Alternatively, you can use a blend that smells divine and works from a variety of angles.
Key takeaway: Sleep is a non-negotiable practice that your body and mind need to be healthy. Prioritize your sleep so that you can function at your best. Give aromatherapy a try. If you don't find it helpful or want to pair it with additional strategies, see our other articles on sleep below.
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