Dive Into Your Senses For Better Sleep
Find out how to use sound, scent, taste and touch to easily fall asleep.
Image by Carlota Guerrero
When it comes to better night’s sleep our senses are powerful tools. It isn’t about having the perfect relaxing nightime ritual but more about doing what feels good and finding the set up that works best for you. What works for one won’t necessarily work for the other. Since we’ve tried different method and tools, we’ve compiled some of the best ways to stimulate all your senses and wave good-bye to sleepless nights.
Sound: A trick to sleep more soundly can be sound itself. Listening to low frequency sounds like a running river can help relax the mind and leave you ready to go under the covers. We also find sound bathing to be soothing before bedtime.
Scent: Set the stage for a calming nighttime ritual by filling the air with aroma to help you ground down. You can choose to use an essential oil diffuser, a scented candle (to be avoided if you might fall asleep and leave it burning) or a pillow spray. In case you can’t have a diffuser or candle, simply use an essential oil roller and you can keep it with you anywhere.
Taste: Some of the things we keep on hand for a blissful night include adaptogens and CBD. Adaptogens are herbs and plants that provide therapeutic benefits and help the human body deal with physical and mental stressors. They have been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine. Drinking Ashwagandha before bed can help feel less stressed. You can find here how to make your very own Moon Milk with Ashwagandha. CBD oil or Cannabidiol, which is the nonpsychoactive compound found in marijuana, is also found to be helping in reducing stress and activate the body’s natural ability to sleep. It can be taken directly as drops under your tongue or you can add a few drops to your night drink.
Touch: Wash away the day as you shower and set an intention to remove any energy you may have taken during the day. In Ayurveda, we’re taught to first start with a light dry brushing to clear away dead skin cells, and then apply body oil on the skin with a gentle massage to calm the nervous system. It does really help to get into a relaxed state before bed. Stretching and self-belly massaging is also a great way to release any tension built up from the day.
These little tricks should help transition your body into full-on rest mode and always remember sometimes the smallest things make the biggest difference.
