We've all had those nights where sleep is a struggle. When it happens more frequently than not, it can be really frustrating! Even more-so because we know that the lack of sleep can drastically impact overall health and well-being.
The American Sleep Association (ASA) reports that 50 to 70 million U.S. adults have a sleep disorder, with one-third of Americans experiencing insomnia and about 25 millions of adults experiencing sleep apnea. It's no wonder so many of us complain of being tired!
Sleep is the necessary time when our bodies are able to cleanse, restore and rest. Sleep also is linked to digestion, hormone regulation, healing, metabolism, cell regeneration, immune system function and memory. By setting the body up for quality sleep and lowering the toxic burden on the body, our systems are able to do their job much more efficiently.
So, how can we help ourselves and our kids to get better sleep??
The Link Between Clean Products and Better Sleep
The Importance of Clean Products
Throughout the day, we come in contact with MANY PRODUCTS within the home, in the air and what is on our bodies. From cleaning supplies and laundry detergent for linens and clothing, to the bath, body and skincare products used...it is a lot! Many of the ingredients in our everyday products are less than ideal and can interfere and put strain on our body.
Ingredients like phthalates, sulfates, parabens and synthetic fragrance are hormone disruptive, inflammatory and can irritate us. Avoiding ingredients that are questionable is one of the best way to create a safer environment for you and your family. By reducing these chemicals, you're allowing your body to do what it needs to naturally cleanse, rest and repair...especially during sleep.
Creating a Sleep Sanctuary
Your bedroom is meant to be a space for the mind and body to recharge after a day full of living. If we are breathing in and surrounded by potentially harmful chemicals, the body is working hard to deal with that burden. That leaves less energy to do what it needs.
Tip: create an environment that supports improved sleep! A sleep sanctuary is a comfortable environment that promotes restful sleep for better health. This can include lighting, temperature, noise levels, and air quality. All these factors make a difference!
Aromatherapy and Sleep
Sleep is the perfect time to harness the power of scent! Aromatherapy has long been proven to benefit sleep quality. It is also helpful with daytime vigor, cognitive performance, memory, relieving stress, stimulating melatonin, increasing the parasympathetic nervous system and decreasing blood pressure and heart rate...just to name a few!
There are many essential oils that promote calm and support the body with rest. Some of our favorites are lavender, cedarwood, vetiver, frankincense, chamomile, and spruce. These can be used to create a roller blend, a room mist to spray on linens/in the bedroom or added to a diffuser before bedtime. Check out our best selling sleep supportive products below!
Transform Your Sleep Routine
It's so important to establish a bedtime routine, for children and adults. Humans are creatures of habit. When we have a bedtime routine, our prefrontal cortex can operate on auto pilot and knows that sleep is coming! This is so important for children so they feel like they have a sense of control and can predict what is coming as well!
Creating a Relaxing Bedtime Ritual
Research has shown that children that have a bedtime routine have better memory, mental health and attention. When you have a routine in place such as a bath with clean products, reading a book and scents that promote sleep, then the body and mind can begin to unwind more easily.
Essential oils also have a strong connection with memory. This allows the body to create a memory around the scent and remember that it's associated with sleepy time. This is especially helpful with traveling or when out of the "usual" sleep sanctuary, too.
When we are stressed, cortisol is released and is a wakeful hormone. Essential oils are extremely helpful in allowing our body to get into a parasympathetic, rest & digest state. This is why they are extremely beneficial when creating a bedtime routine.
Creating a Clean Bedtime Skincare Ritual
Before you climb into bed for the night, give your skin some self-care too. This is a great time to incorporate a clean skincare routine that truly nourishes your face without slathering on potentially harmful ingredients.
We focus on simple ingredients that are safe and effective at à la main. Your nighttime ritual should be minimal and easy to do. Spend some time cleansing your face with a safe cleanser, spritz with toner (ours is infused with frankincense, rose and geranium), use a serum that targets what your skin needs and finish with a nourishing moisturizer and/or elixir to seel in before resting your head on the pillow.
As always, we want to remind you that cleaner living is about progress, not perfection. Simple, small shifts towards safer products and a less toxic environment will impact sleep, health and overall well-being. We are always striving to learn more and provide you with the best quality products and information that is better for your and better for the planet!