The Sleep Pandemic

Today is International Sleep Day, whose purpose it is to raise awareness about the importance of sleep and its importance to our health. 

I find it bemusing that experts often discuss the socioeconomic impact of sleep disorders on global populations and indeed the figures are alarming. But hold on, what about the health impacts on the individual? One of the most important pillars for good health starts with getting adequate and healthy sleep. 

I don’t want to bore you with the statistics of sleep, but I will highlight the risk factors associated with poor sleep – higher risk of cardiovascular disease, impaired cognitive performance, impaired immunity, increased risk of inflammatory diseases, higher risk of neurodegenerative diseases, higher risk of cancer, higher risks of depression and mental health problems. Is that enough to convince you to improve your sleep!

Now I will also not argue with how many hours of sleep is enough sleep. And do remember that we do wake up at the end of each sleep cycle, but it is the ability to fall back into the next sleep cycle that is important.

So, how can you improve sleep?

The great news is that there are many simple things you can do to improve sleep, and of course, aromatherapy and the use of essential oils have long played an important role in promoting a better, more restful sleep. It is exciting to see that much of the research nowadays has focused on the effects of essential oils on the neurotransmitter pathways, especially stimulating the GABA neurotransmitter pathway which is important for promoting a calming, sedative effect.

Lavender and its compound linalool has been one of the most researched essential oils for improving sleep and reducing anxiety.  

Perfect Sleeping Potions

While lavender on its own is amazing, essential oils work in synergy, meaning that when you blend several oils together, it can enhance the efficacy of the overall blend. 

	Sweet Dreams For example, sweet dreams which is everyone’s favourite, includes lavender together with petitgrain, clary sage, Roman chamomile and sweet orange. Petitgrain is also rich in linalool so it boosts the efficacy of lavender while providing it with a fresher note. Clary sage and Roman chamomile are deeply relaxing and ideal for reducing anxiety which is often associated with poor sleep. I also included clary sage as it has traditionally been associated with helping us make more sense of our dream world. It is reputed to encourage dream recall.  I believe that it helps to improve the quality of our sleep cycles and enhances the deep sleep phase of the sleep cycle. SHOP SWEET DREAMS
	Snooze On the other hand, snooze is also made with lavender, but it has vetiver, petitgrain and sweet orange. The main difference is vetiver, giving the blend a slightly deeper note. In Chinese medicine, vetiver nourishes the Yin Qi which is responsible for reducing restlessness, anxiety and irritability, which leads to difficulty falling asleep. We often go to bed with unresolved issues of the day, vetiver together with the lavender will be gently grounding, allowing us to switch off the incessant ruminations of the day, allowing us to go into a beautiful deep slumber. SHOP SNOOZE

Don’t forget to check out Dr. Michael Mosely’s Australia’s Sleep Revolution three-part TV documentary on SBS on the management of sleep disorders with some of Australia’s worst insomniacs being treated by Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health at Flinders University.

Hope you have sweet dreams,

Salvatore Battaglia

Aromatherapist, Author, Educator, Speaker & Founder of Perfect Potion