Hi friends, I’m Alex! I’m a photographer and essential oil lover living in a small town in Central Iowa. I do everyday life with my sweet hunk of a high school sweetheart, Ty, and our big-eyed pup, Nollie.
Along with running multiple businesses, I’ve also stepped into the call of foster parenting, and it’s simultaneously been the most heart-growing + heart-wrenching thing we’ve ever done. We’re so grateful to get to care for the sweet kiddos that might grace our home at any given time. I have a fierce heart for Jesus, and love connecting with others who do, too. I hope we can become friends, but I’ll call you “friend” anyway, so you might as well give in to it and let it happen.
Here in Iowa, as well as the rest of the country, the weather is getting COLD (it’s currently snowing as I write this post), the holidays are coming up, and we are doing all the things we can to stay well. One thing we often forget is that getting quality sleep is such an important part of staying healthy! Let’s chat about some ways we can use essential oils to promote restful sleep as we strive to stay well.
As I’m sure you all know, getting enough sleep contributes to a well functioning immune system, while not getting enough sleep can contribute to illness and a weakened immune system.
There are two stages of sleep that we need- non-rapid eye movement and rapid eye movement. Rapid Eye Movement, or REM is when dreams happen and our immunity is boosted. During Non-Rapid Eye Movement, our energy is supplied and our blood flow is increased. It’s extremely important that we get enough sleep in both of these stages, but especially REM because it decreases as we age. Which is why we can get a full night’s rest and still feel unrested when we wake up.
Essential Oils can be SO helpful for not only helping us fall asleep, but also getting quality, restful sleep. When we use essential oils, they work on a cellular level and allow us to relax. Our sense of smell is directly wired to our limbic system, also known as the emotional center of the brain- smell is our only sense that moves directly to the limbic system. When we smell essential oils, they work with our limbic system, and can help us relax and get quality, restful sleep.
It’s important to remember that oils are adaptogenic. Basically, this means that essential oils can adapt and change to what our body needs, because it’s a natural substance. In addition to this, we all have a different biology and will respond to oils differently. So lavender may be the magic sleep oil for one person, but not for another person. If the recipe that you try doesn’t work, try something different! There are plenty of oils that support sleep, it’s just a matter of finding the one that works best for you.
Below are some of my favorite diffuser combos for sleep support:
Come say “hi” over at @essentiallyalex !
