Wouldn’t we all agree that quality sleep is essential for a healthy lifestyle? Going through periods of sleeplessness can feel lonely & depressing. I remember those early years as a young mother — the sleep deprivation felt like absolute torture: dizzy spells, fatigue, headaches, forgetfulness, clumsiness, walking around in a fog, just horrible.
As life has progressed, like you no doubt, I have faced bouts of sleeplessness bordering on the lines of insomnia. To be real here, if sleeplessness is edging towards insomnia, pre-existing mental health conditions can flare up or escalate, causing more stress and anxiety. This is when it is most likely time to start a deeper healing journey, seeking professional help, or leaning into the tools you know work for you, to get you back on track.
As an aromatherapist and the creator of various nervous system formulas focused on relaxing & healing, I’ve outlined the benefits of some of them, along with my simple strategies and suggestions to set you up for a deep and soothing sleep.
Running the bath to half full and at a lukewarm temperature is the perfect way to reach your desired temperature, topping it up with hot or cold once you’re in. Using one of our luxury salt soaks is a beautiful way to add in the benefits of magnesium. Our salt soaks have 3 types of mineral-rich salt to take magnesium absorption to the next level. Magnesium is known to alleviate stress, lower blood pressure, and relieve tired, strained or overworked muscles & spasms. It is so healing & therapeutic on the nervous system. Spiritually, water and salt are a great way to relieve anxiety and let go of stored emotions from yourself or others — perfect after a big event, too much socialising, or just being around too many people (the empaths and introverts will know this feeling well).
A couple of things to avoid when bathing: not too hot, no longer than half an hour, and not on a full stomach (it impairs digestion). Our I Am Tranquil & Calm or I Am Harmonious Salt Soaks are the go-to blends for calming the nervous system and preparing for sleep.
This pose is known to alleviate cramping and lower back pain, encourage lymph flow & circulation, and calm & soothe the nervous system. Find a quiet and comfortable space with light neck support — perhaps on your bed, or on the floor with your legs up on the bed. Pop on an eye pillow and some relaxing music or a meditation soundtrack, then lean your legs gently against the wall or bed head with a softening at the knees.
We suggest applying our I Am Zingy transdermal magnesium spray, rubbed into your legs, feet, back of neck, or over your tummy (for the nervous system) — the body rapidly absorbs magnesium this way, and the added benefits of Roman Chamomile & Lavender help you relax and prepare for sleep.
Its yogic Sanskrit name is Nadi Shodhana Pranayama. This is one of my personal favourite breathing techniques for sleep (although there are many others, such as the 4-7-8 method). This technique is known to lower blood pressure, calm the mind, maintain body temperature, purify and balance our subtle energy centers, and harmonise the logical and emotional sides of our brain.
Sit with your legs crossed, place your left hand on your knee and your right thumb against your nose. Exhale fully and then close the right nostril (find the most comfortable finger), and inhale through your left nostril. Open your right nostril and exhale through it while closing the left. Continue this rotation for around 5 minutes, finishing by exhaling through your left nostril.
Choosing an essential oil to rub into your fingers or hands to be inhaled is an added option to ease & encourage the limbic system. We love Mandarin, Lemon (this oil will adapt to your body’s needs), Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Frankincense, I Am Tranquil & Calm, I Am Wonder Filled, and I Am Harmonious.
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