Jo Anne Gaudioso

We spend approximately one-third of our lives sleeping, and we are just beginning to discover how important sleep is for overall health.

Essential oils have been used for centuries to promote relaxation and mental and physical wellness. Today, these same oils are increasingly being studied by scientists in search of a more rigorous, specific understanding of their benefits to sleep and health.

Stress and anxiousness are frequent obstacles to sound, restful sleep. People who experience stress and anxiety symptoms often have trouble falling asleep and sleep restlessly throughout the night, leaving them tired and fatigued the next day. Essential oils can help to relieve stress and anxiety symptoms, which may help to improve sleep indirectly.

So, what are some essential oils that are effective for sleep?

Luckily, several essential oils, not just Lavender, have well-known properties that can assist with your bedtime routine. The secret behind Lavender’s calming and relaxing benefits is the high concentration of monoterpenes linalool and linalyl acetate. Research has shown that inhaled linalool may promote feelings of relaxation and that when combined with linalyl acetate, is very calming. Several other essential oils contain similar chemical profiles and may provide similar benefits. Try diffusing Bergamot during your wind-down bedtime routine. Put a few drops of Clary Sage on your pillow or add a few drops of Petitgrain next time you wash your bed linens.

Join me this month in one of my workshops to learn about these and other essential oils that will help you sleep better. We will make a rollerball blend that you may take home with you. Workshops are scheduled for Saturday, August 17, at 11:00 a.m.; Saturday, August 24, at 11:00 a.m.; and Saturday, August 31, at 11:00 a.m. If these dates are not convenient, call me for a personal appointment. For those of you who have a few friends who may be interested in learning more about essential oils, you can host a workshop. This month, anyone who hosts a workshop will receive a special hostess gift of a diffuser. All you do is invite, and I do the rest.

For more information, contact JoAnne Gaudioso by phone or text at 480-225-5224 or by email at [email protected].