Top 6 Scents for Relaxation and Better Sleep

How Scents Can Help Calm the Brain

What you smell through your nose is directly linked to the part of the brain responsible for both your emotions and memory. It’s no wonder why different scents can instantly take you back in time from a simple whiff, and why aromatherapy is so widely used for health and well-being.

Many people have found that their symptoms of stress and anxiety can be eased and their quality of sleep improved through the magic of fragrance. Humans have used scents for healing purposes for hundreds of years.

The following scents are widely used to help promote relaxation and sleep and may ease symptoms of anxiety and insomnia - as a complementary treatment.

1 Lavender

Lavender is a flowering plant and its floral scent is normally the first to come to people’s minds when thinking about sleep and relaxation.

Widely recognised as a natural sleep aid - the scent of lavender can help to calm both the brain and the body. It may help reduce stress, lower the heart rate, and increase drowsiness. The perfect recipe for a good night's rest!

2 Vanilla

Beans from the pod of the vanilla plant smell pleasantly soft and sweet and many people are naturally drawn to this calming smell.

The aroma of vanilla is known to have a soothing effect which can make people feel instantly relaxed, for a higher quality of sleep.

Vanilla may reduce hyperactivity and restlessness and is even said to have a tranquilising effect on the brain.

3 Ylang-Ylang

Ylang-ylang is the flower grown on the tropical Cananga tree. Ylang-ylang’s exotic floral scent is one of the main notes in many popular fragrances - such as Chanel No. 5.

A great scent to boost your emotional well-being, ylang-ylang is said to promote relaxation and ease agitation by reducing cortisol - the stress hormone. In turn, this can help you fall asleep faster.

4 Neroli

Neroli oil is produced from the flowers of the bitter orange tree and has a sweet floral fragrance with a hint of citrus.

When inhaled, neroli may help regulate your mood, ease stress and relieve insomnia by increasing serotonin production in the brain. Serotonin is sometimes called the happy chemical of the brain, increased levels of it enhance our feelings of joy and well-being.

5 Rose

The rose is the world’s most popular flower and has long inspired poets and lovers with its wonderfully intense fragrance and beautiful appearance.

The scent of rose can help relax the body of tension as well as ease pain - making for better sleep.

6 Jasmine

Jasmine is a popular flower with a recognisable rich, sweet fragrance that is said to be present in a massive 80% of women’s perfumes and 30% of men’s, too!

The relaxing properties of jasmine have been used for centuries to help relieve anxiety through the calming of the nervous system. Research shows that jasmine may be as effective as certain sleeping pills at enhancing sleep and reducing sleep movement

Your Personal Favourite Scent

Scents are often overlooked as a tool for stress control and better sleep, however, the link between what we smell and the brain’s centre of mood and memory shouldn’t be ignored.

Studies show that even the natural smell of a loved one can help you relax into sleep!

Whatever your favourite scent may be - whether it’s your favourite perfume, laundry detergent, or anything else - try utilising this and the link between your nose and brain next time you want to relax or fall into a sweet slumber.

Any of the 6 scents listed above, as well as notes of citrus*, sandalwood*, patchouli, eucalyptus, geranium, sage, chamomile, peppermint, frankincense and more, might become your new favourite way to wind down.

Notes

Different scents can have different effects on each person - what will relax one person may not another.

*For example, citrus scents (such as lemon, orange and bergamot), as well as sandalwood, can have a relaxing effect on some people, yet others can find them to be more energising.

Sassy Shop Wax Relaxation Blends - Customer Favourites

When discussing scents to aid relaxation and sleep, these wax melt scents came up in conversation amongst our customers the most:

• Bedtime Baby - A dupe for a popular scented range of baby products. It is the soothing bedtime blend of mandarin, lavender and chamomile, neroli and lily of the valley. Bottom notes of hay and musk.

• Evening Falls - Formulated to make you feel Sleepy, this wax melt scent shares similar notes of a popular high street lotion with lavender and tonka.

• Stress Relief - Relax and think clearly. Blends of eucalyptus essential oil clears the mind while blends of spearmint essential oil uplifts to help improve concentration. Relieve stress after a long day with this aromatherapy blend of lavender, sage, eucalyptus, spearmint, fresh ozone and dry down woods.

• Coconut Milk & Lavender - A relaxing blend of lavender with silky French vanilla-infused with rich coconut milk and hints of musk.

To find out what our customers think, see our reviews.

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Sassy Shop Wax is a UK based company with international shipping.

Our mission is to connect people and memories through the love of fragrance.⁠