Sleep can come at a premium some nights. We live stressful, hectic, active lives and when it’s time to finally lie down on the bed to sleep we need every advantage we can get to fall asleep quickly to get the rest we need. If you can quiet the mind and relax you are well on your way to slumber land. I hope to offer just a few tips that show you how to combine luxurious bedding with essential oils for a restful night sleep.
What determines luxurious bedding? Is it how the sheets look, how they fit the mattresses, or fiber content and thread count? It is all of the above. If you have a set of sheets that you don’t like because the print is obnoxious, they won’t be luxurious in your eyes. They will just annoy you if you can’t stand the way they look in your bedroom. Maybe your linens were a gift from your former mother in-law, or worse yet, from a former marriage.
I would be donating those sheets because they probably won’t promote relaxation if you are thinking of unpleasant experiences from your past. It matters that all of your bedding fits the mattress properly. Your sheets won’t have a long life if they are stretched and pulled too tightly over the pillow top mattress. It would be very easy to rip or tear the seams of a fitted sheet. You could find yourself in the middle of the night with a sheet wrapped around your feet because it has popped off of the corners. There is a lot that can be said when it comes to fabric content and thread count. First of all, cotton is said to be the most comfortable but there are many different qualities of cotton. I had inexpensive 100% cotton sheets but they shrunk, pilled and were very uncomfortable to sleep on. Egyptian and Pima cotton bedding are still the best and were once found only in high end stores, but that has all changed. You can now find them just about everywhere at any price. Read the fine print on the label because if it is “cotton rich” you will only find a small percentage of cotton and the rest will be polyester. Now for the confusing thread count issue. Thread count refers to the numbers of threads per square inch of fabric. A count of 200 – 280 is very good, but 300 – 400 is better. Usually a higher thread count has a softer “hand” and is pill resistant so logically they should be softer and more comfortable to sleep on.
Now you know what makes up fabulous sheets, it’s time to check out the incredible silk and cotton comforter with 900 fill goose down. This top of the line comforter is the best in allergy free warmth and comfort. Keep it just as it is or add a beautiful silk duvet cover to match your bedroom décor. You might want to consider a feather bed for the top of the mattress as well. When you put together this combination of soft comfort and beautiful style, it just doesn’t get any better.
Let’s talk about Fragrance Now let’s talk about the scent part of the equation. You can achieve a relaxed mind that promotes sleep through the use of essential oils. Essential oils are volatile essences that are extracted from plants, roots, leaves, fruits etc. by steam, distillation, expression, or extraction.
Certain oils have been scientifically proven to relieve stress and relax the body and mind. The essential oils that are bestfor relaxation and sleep are:
- Lavender, Geranium, Rose Maroc
- Marjoram, Rosewood, Clary Sage
- Neroli, Petitgrain, Sandalwood
- Chamomile, Vetiver
Now that you know some of the essential oils that are best for relaxation, you can easily use them before you go to bed for a fragrant night time experience. You can blend about 16 drops of the oils together, add water, put in a misting bottle and spray your sheets, pillowcases, nightgown or pajamas.
Spray at a distance because the oils may stain the fabric. You might take other oils from the list and drop in a small electric diffuser plugged into the wall. It will dispense scent throughout the evening.
You may want to take some of your favorite oils and mix them with an unscented lotion for a romantic relaxing massage before going to bed. Doesn’t that sound like just the thing to relieve stress? You can also use oils dropped in a hot bath. The steam will cause the aroma to drift into the air, relaxing you as you soak your cares away.
Now combine the luxurious bedding you have chosen and your ;”>favorite fragrance into one stress relieving experience. Let me paint the picture for you. Your choice of bedding is 300 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets in a soft pink or green. You have a mattress that has new high tech memory foam and a down comforter with a reversible pink and green duvet cover. You have just come out of a hot bath where you added neroli and geranium. You are now ready for bed in your satin or flannel pajamas that have been sprayed with chamomile. Your electric diffuser is filling your bedroom with the scent of French lavender. You spend almost a third of your life in bed and you deserve the best. Follow some of these ideas and you are well on your way to the best night sleep of your life.
Beverly Marshall
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