This 10-Second Trick Just Might Get You Better Sleep
Most of us have those nights when we're tossing and turning or those weeks when we can't seem to fall asleep or stay asleep for whatever reason. Getting a good night's sleep can feel like an unsolvable puzzle at times.
There are so many remedies and tips to try if you're having trouble getting some shut-eye from trading your mattress for a new one, getting some blackout curtains, trying a weighted blanket, investing in a sound machine, meditation… the list goes on. One other option that could help? Using scent to lull you to sleep. The National Sleep Foundation says that certain scents could be used as a tool to get you to sleep faster. According to the Foundation, the olfactory system (aka your sense of smell) is directly linked to the emotional center in your brain, so smelling soothing scents can cause your body to release relaxing chemicals that can help you in the sleep department. Some sleep-aid scents include essential oils like lavender, cedarwood, geranium, ylang-ylang, bergamot, sandalwood, and frankincense.
You can try the scent-as-a-sleep-aid thing with an essential oil diffuser or even with a room spray, but another trick that might be effective is using a pillow spray. There are a variety of options out there that are formulated specifically for sleep. Just spritz on your pillow as you're getting ready for bed. It really shouldn't take more than 10 seconds to try it out. Take a look at some of our favourites below. But it's important to remember that if you are experiencing trouble sleeping for at least three nights a week for at least three months, you might have insomnia, and at that point, you'll want to go to a sleep doctor or healthcare professional to come up with a treatment plan or figure out if there's an underlying issue.
This best seller contains lavender, vetiver, and chamomile—just thinking about that combo makes us feel all warm and fuzzy and ready for bed already.
A spray that helps you go to sleep and soothes your skin? Sign us up. This one has essential oils like frankincense and lavender to send you off to dreamland, and it has antioxidants that can help protect your skin. It's recommended to spray at least three pumps on your pillow.
With its main scents of lavender and chamomile, this spray feels ultra luxe and soothing. Spray a light mist before you lie down and let sleep take over.
Another lavender-and-chamomile blend, this spray also contains patchouli which makes it smell extra-fancy and is a personal favourite of mine. It's pretty versatile too. Mist it on your pillow or throughout your room to make your entire space smell dreamy.
The pillow mist contains the classic lavender alongside stress-busting orange for an ultra-relaxing yet uplifting scent.
Spray this floral scent on your bed linens and pillows to calm and relax yourself after a long day. Some ingredients include lavender, geranium and chamomile alongside rose quartz crystal water to soothe the senses.
Slip makes the best silk pillowcases that feel so luxurious and are great for your skin and hair. Its room spray is a combination of chamomile and lavender.
L'Occitane is already well known for its best-selling fragrances and bath and body products, so we're excited that it has a new pillow spray offering. It has scents of lavender, geranium, orange, rose, basil, and mint leaves. Sounds heavenly.
Make this lavender-and-sweet marjoram scent part of your bedtime ritual. This one is formulated for a calming effect.
Spritz the frankincense-marjoram-lavender scent all over your pillow and bed covers to lull you to sleep. The blend is supposed to relax and soothe you.
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Sarah is lifestyle writer and editor with over 10 years of experience covering health and wellness, interior design, food, beauty, and tech. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she attended New York University and lived in New York for 12 years before returning to L.A. in 2019. In addition to her work at Who What Wear, she held editor roles at Apartment Therapy, Real Simple, House Beautiful, Elle Decor, and The Bump (sister site of The Knot). She has a passion for health and wellness, but she especially loves writing about mental health. Her self-care routine consists of five things: a good workout, “me” time on the regular, an intriguing book/podcast/playlist to unwind after a long day, naps, and decorating her home.
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