Jesus & Tea

In a recent Instagram post of mine, I spoke about the way nothing has been more restorative to me than rest. Wether night time rest or a midday nap, sleep not only restores my body but it also refreshes my mind and soul. It is when nestled under a fluffy, comforter, and tucked in between light and airy linens that I feel safest. It is then that I have the fondest memories of sleeping next to my Mother as a child. As a 27 year old single adult however, I do not have the luxery of someone’s presence to help lull me to sleep, which makes me all the more thankful for God’s creation–that is plants and the essential oils that come from them.

Let’s talk about some Holistic strategies to aid in a good nigh’t sleep.

#1

There are a few different types of Lavender, all which are associated with calming affects and aiding in sleep. The most effective type of Lavnder for calming my personal nervous system has been French Lavender. It is potent enough for my senses to recognize that something in the environment has changed and it is time to wind down. I hardly ever sleep the same on nights when I do not apply Lavender. Let’s talk about how you can make your own roll on!

You will need

-A 10ml oil roller bottle (I use these).

-Fractionated coconut oil (or any carrier oil you prefer

-French Lavender Essential Oil

-Dried Lavender Buds

Instructions: Add 25 drops of Lavender essential oil into the roller bottle, and fill the tube up with carrier oil until it is just below full (you want to leave space for the lavender buds). Add as many Lavender buds as you can fit or desire to add to the roller bottle. Add the roller attachment and the lid.

All Ready to use! Apply just before bedtime.

#2 Bedding & Linens

An inviting bed with nice layered bedding of your choice including crisp linens enhances the rest-time experience. I love all kinds of patterns and colors for bedding, but I recently discovered that pristine white cotton sheets give me a sense a purity and cleanlieness that I associate with heaven, or some general state of eternal peace. Whatever excites you about crawling into your bed at the end of the day is what you should dress your mattress in, even if that’s a nice quilt at the foot of the bed and a few fluffy pillows.

#3 Linen Sprays

The next item I want to discuss is a Lavender linen spray. I recommend keeping a lavender linen spray near your bed to help you remember to spray your linens before you next take a dive into them!

There are countless recipes online for linen sprays on the internet, however lavender linen sprays are the most common. This is due too Lavender’s calming affect on the body. The recipe that I am currently using before I go to bed at night is one by interior designer and cook book author, Athena Calderone. You can check it out here.

In her recipe, Athena offers us the option of either glass or plastic spray bottles. I personally stick to Amber glass bottles because they are non-toxic and the amber tint helps the essential oil to keep longer. You can get them here.

Tea Time:

I couldn’t think of a better tea to suggest for rest time than chamomile tea! Chamomile is simmilar to Lavender in that is promotes calmness and overall relaxation. Sidenote: Chamomile has also been used historically to reduce fever, so if you’re ever feeling icky, Chamomile with honey is a great choice.

I’m so glad you stopped by to chat about ways you can better rest/sleep. If you have any questions, you can message me by clicking on the contact tab and sharing your questions and thoughts. Happy snoozing!

Full disclosure: I primarily use Revive essential oils. They are pure, affordable and effetive. There are other companies with quality high-grade essential oils, however they are outrageously expensive and happen to be Multi-Level Marketing Schemes. I try and stay away from essential oil companies with a middle man. That said, Revive Essential Oils is who I source my oils from. This is not a paid promotion.