How to use the best essential oils for relaxation & sleep: 8 Ways

Most people have heard about essential oils and even tried them. Maybe you have a favorite doTerra rep or are a Plant Therapy fan. Homemade cleaners with essential oils are popular because they offer a lower cost, natural alternative to nasty household toxins that cause illness. But, how about the best essential oils for relaxation and sleep? Most people are familiar with lavender as a sleep aid, but there are several other oils useful for calming the mind. In addition, we can do more than add a few drops to bath bombs or diffusers to enjoy their effects. Essential oils are one of the easiest ways to get some self care into your day. Let’s check out how we can use essential oils in many fun and unique ways to suit all types of moms.

8 Ways to Use the Best Essential Oils for Relaxation & Sleep

Essential Oil Diffuser

The first way to enjoy the best essential oils for relaxation and sleep is perhaps the most well-known. It is by adding about 15 drops of your favorite essential oil to a diffuser. There are different types of diffusers, from the old fashioned tea light diffuser to the newer nebulizing diffusers. A diffuser is a device that releases a small amount of steam into the air and disperses the oil through the air in the room with the steam. However, there are also diffusers that eliminate the steam and just disperse the oil in tiny droplets.

For most diffusers, all you have to do is fill the diffuser with water up to the fill line, add 5-15 drops of oil, position the filled compartment correctly, and turn it on. Most of the time, the diffuser is a cool air diffuser. In addition, most of them turn themselves off, too. These diffusers do need to be plugged into a wall outlet and should never be used near a bath or shower.

A healthy mom hack is to use essential oils for purifying the air in a room (think stinky kitchen) or setting a mood. The best essential oils for relaxation and sleep can be used in the same way. Choose one of the oils discussed below, or a blend with those oils, and diffuse the oils throughout the room. As you and the kids breathe in the oil, it will calm your nerves and help you feel more relaxed and peaceful. You can also diffuse the oils in your bedroom to help you sleep.

Back of the Neck

One way to feel the benefits of the best essential oils for relaxation and sleep immediately is through applying them to the back of the neck. Once you have diluted your oil (if needed) in a carrier oil, you simply rub it on the back of your neck. Then, your skin absorbs the oil and it travels directly to the limbic system of your brain, just as if you inhaled it. You might try this method if scents irritate you.

And, just so you know, the limbic system is responsible for emotions, memories, and hormones that control body functions. So, when you inhale oils, they stimulate or relax your body by interacting with this system. But, that is only one way they act on your body. Essential oils work in many other ways as well, such as supporting the immune system.

Using the Best Essential Oils for Relaxation and Sleep on Your Temples and Wrist

Much like rubbing diluted oils on your neck, you can also rub them on your temples, sides of the neck, and/or wrists. In this way, you can apply the oils a lot like you would perfume. Indeed, perfumery was one of the first uses of essential oils. And, just like applying oils to your neck, your bloodstream absorbs them through the veins that are so close to the skin’s surface. And, it is a less direct way of inhaling them, just like using a diffuser. Make sure you dilute them in a carrier oil, though. This method is also a safe way to see if an oil irritates you or the scent disagrees with you.

Bottom of the Feet

Reflexologists sometimes apply diluted essential oils to the bottoms of the feet. This helps because particular zones of the feet correspond to other parts of the body by way of the nervous system. Basically, by pressing on the nerve endings of the feet in a specific spot, a person can experience pain relief in another part of the body. Essential oils can magnify that relief. Very often, massage therapists use reflexology along with massage therapy. This is also the preferred way to use essential oils on children. Like using essential oils on the back of the neck, this is another safe way to use them that doesn’t irritate your nose.

Massage Body Oil

You don’t need to be a massage therapist to use body oils. So, you could dilute essential oils into a light oil, such as apricot or almond. Then, either you or your spouse could apply the oil all over your body. When using the best essential oils for relaxation and sleep, pay special attention to the neck and shoulders. Another area that gets tense is the lower back. Using oils in this way can be very romantic. This way of using the best essential oils for relaxation and sleep is best for the end of the day or may even be a great start to the day if hubby has a few minutes before he heads off to work. It is also an appropriate way to use essential oils with children.

Aromatherapy Necklace

An aromatherapy necklace is a discrete way to inhale oils all day long. These beautiful necklaces have an insert to which you add an undiluted oil of choice. Just take out the insert, add a few drops of oil, and reinsert. Keep in mind, however, that you may need to reapply your favorite oil every so often. After all, the oil does lose its potency. But, these necklaces can help you stay calm during stressful situations, especially when other methods aren’t practical.

Herbal Tea Using Essential Oils for Relaxation

You know the delicious smell of peppermint tea? It comes from the essential oils in the tea. So, some essential oils can be taken internally if they are properly diluted in a cup of water. Unlike a diffuser, however, you would only add 1-2 drops to a cup of hot water. Because oils don’t dissolve properly in water, they need to be mixed very well. They may also need the addition of a bit of something fatty to help. Otherwise, the oil may cling to the sides of your cup. Be careful with this one and don’t try this with kids.

So far, I’ve been talking about easy, quick ways you can incorporate the best essential oils for relaxation and sleep into your daily routine without taking any extra time out of your day. Essential oils work directly with your nervous system to help you keep your cool and stay peaceful. They also use God’s natural plant helpers that He provided. It’s natural self care for Christian moms! I have one more way to use essential oils to help you decompress, but this requires more intention and time.

And……Essential Oils in the Bath

Another popular way to use the best essential oils for relaxation and sleep is in bath salts, body scrubs, and bath bombs. Taking a hot bath has always been a great way to relax. So, why not add some relaxing essential oils, too? Take a look at this video to see how to make your own bath bombs using essential oils and other natural ingredients.

All you need to do is add oils that help you relax and destress. These products are easy to make and most of the supplies are readily available.

Supplies

• baking soda
• cornstarch
• citric acid
• Epsom salts
• essential oils
• almond oil
• food coloring
• rose petals

What are the best essential oils for relaxation and sleep to use?

So, now that we’ve covered many different ways to use the best essential oils for relaxation and sleep, let’s talk about the oils. Which oils are best? Which oils are safe and easy to find? And, what about cost? Sometimes oils can be expensive. Lastly, what about kids? Which ones are safe for them to help them relax?

Here’s my list of favorites. Some of them, you may have never heard of before and some will be familiar.

Safe for Children, Even Babies

When you are trying to use oils in a diffuser or if you are holding babies a lot, it is important that the oils you are using to help yourself are safe for the children in your house. These oils are nourishing to the spirit, generally very safe, and if you use them straight out of the bottle, they won’t harm you. They also have a nice scent.

Lavender

This oil is widely available and fairly inexpensive. It is not specifically for stress and relaxation, but it does help you sleep and it is relaxing. It is gentle enough to use with babies and is widely available. Some people are sensitive to lavender, so test it first. For babies and small children, it should be diluted.

Roman Chamomile

This oil is useful for anxious children and is also very gentle. Please note that it does not behave the same as German or Moroccan Chamomile in the body. Be sure to get the right one. This oil is also more expensive than the other oils in my list, but is very beneficial and useful as part of a blend.

Find more aromatherapy safe for kids suggestions.

The Best Essential Oils for Relaxation and Sleep Safe for Anyone, Ages 2+

These oils are generally safe, but should still be diluted in a carrier oil when applied to the skin. When applying them to the skin, apply the diluted oil on the chest and temples. Only Mandarin, Marjoram, and Ylang Ylang can be used internally and with great care. It is preferable to use a capsule and not tea if you want to use the oils in this way.

Concluding Thoughts

Essential oils can be an quick and luxurious way to practice some self-care. One bottle can last a long time if properly diluted and help you keep calm throughout the day. These oils can also help your children calm down, which goes a long way toward happier and more productive days as a homeschool mom. Give it a try and check out the other posts in this series for additional tips that you can use along with your essential oils.

Discover more self care for Christian moms in my ten-day series!

This post is also part of the Healthy Mom Hacks series: