I wish I could get better sleep!
by Jill Taylor
We've all heard the saying, "I need my beauty sleep." The fact of the matter is, this old saying speaks truth. In terms of anti-aging and maintaining the beauty of our youth, sleep is one of the most effective tools for staying young. And it doesn't cost anything!
Did you know an estimated 65 percent of American adults get less than the recommended eight hours of sleep each night?
When you sleep, your body is resting, repairing, and regenerating itself from the stress of life and preparing itself for the next day. Daily stress ages your face and body because of the release of cortisol and the increase of bad neurotransmitters like norepinephrine. Your body needs good sleep for the cells in your body to repair and recover. It is one of the best ways to slow down the aging process.
The skin is the largest organ of the body and without the proper levels of sleep, it will also be the largest age-showing part of your life. If you are consistently getting significantly less than the recommended eight hours of sleep each night, there's a good chance you weigh more than you'd like to, you have higher stress levels, and you suffer greater dissatisfaction in your personal relationships than those who get optimal sleep.
Additional effects of sleep deprivation include:
- Decreased concentration
- Impaired memory
- Weight gain
- Irritability
- Depression
- Hypertension
- Slower reaction time
- Slurred speech
- Tremors
- Heart disease
I have been surprised how often over the last few years I have heard people speak of difficulties in sleeping. In order to prevent the aging effects of restless night after restless night, a campaign of sorts needs to be waged against your insomnia.
Here are some tips:
- Drink plenty of water.
- Get high-quality nutrition.
- Exercise early in the day. Exercise stimulates the body and aerobic activity before bedtime may make falling asleep more difficult.
- Don't eat anything other than a light snack later than two hours before going to bed as your body will use energy to digest the food which can lead to heart burn that keeps you awake.
- Avoid high caffeine in the evening. Caffeine can raise your heart rate and lead to a restless night's sleep.
- Avoid over the counter and prescription sleep aids and the negative side-effects associated with them.
- Check your iron level. Iron deficient women tend to have more problems sleeping. (NingXia Red is high in iron.)
- Have a schedule and before bed routine. This helps your body shut down at the end of the day instead of being on alert for the next big thing.
- Avoid alcohol in the late evening before you go to bed. A glass of wine may make you feel pleasantly sleepy but the alcohol pumps norepinephrine into the system which can excite your system and cause you to wake in the night.
- No sweets before bed time. High blood sugar interferes with growth hormone production which is essential to look younger for longer.
- Instead of watching television before bed, listen to quiet music. Television can make you excitable and make it harder for you to go to sleep.
- Relax and wind down – take time just for you.
- Create a bedroom haven – clean sheets, fresh flowers, low lighting and a diffuser going with your favorite "sleep-time" essential oil. Create an atmosphere that makes you look forward to going to bed.
- Take a deep relaxing bath and float away the stresses of the day with a bath pillow and your favorite relaxing essential oils added to the water.
- Incorporate a natural sleep aid (supplement or essential oil) into your routine.
Young Living's expertly-formulated, SleepEssence, is a natural sleep aid that contains lavender, valerian, vetiver, and ruta essential oils, each with a rich history of promoting a restful night's sleep.
- Lavender: The Annals of French Pharmacology found that lavender affects the body similarly to powerful sedatives.
- Valerian: Has one of the longest histories of reducing stress and mitigating anxiety.
- Vetiver: One of the most studied herbal sedatives, this oil has been shown to improve sleep quality.
- Ruta: Gary Young has used the essential oil of Ruta graveolens at the Clinica Nova Vita in Ecuador and found that it has properties that may help promote the onset of sleep.
(See testimonials below for the sleep-producing effects of these and other Young Living essential oils.)
In addition to Young Living Therapeutic Grade(TM) (YLTG) essential oils, SleepEssence contains melatonin, another natural sleep aid. Dr. Dan Purser, MD, author of the physician's textbook, Program 120: A Physician's Handbook on Proactive Preventive Medicine, consulted with Young Living when SleepEssence was in the developmental stages. Dr. Purser feels that, "Natural solutions should always be a first choice." And according to Dr. Purser, melatonin – one of the ingredients in SleepEssence and a chemical made by the brain – not only naturally encourages sleep, but also works in conjunction with the essential oils in this supplement to do more than just help you get some rest.
"Melatonin can decrease the risk of breast cancer, lower blood pressure, cure insomnia, and is safe to take and doesn't interact with anything," Dr. Purser says. He continues, "It's also good for restless leg syndrome, especially in conjunction with valerian root, and is great for people under stress when combined with lavender and valerian."
Containing a mixture of YLTG essential oils renowned for their sleep-enhancing benefits and naturally-occurring melatonin, SleepEssence is the natural, essential oil-infused way to ensure you're getting the rest your body needs.
When it comes to anti-aging and longevity, by focusing on the above steps with careful planning, your body will fall fast asleep and your body and skin will renew itself for another day.
Oh my gosh!! I sleep wonderfully now! "I used to have trouble falling sleep, sometimes I would even need to take pills to help me fall sleep. I was told to apply some lavender oil in my hands and then do some deep inhalations and also the rub my pillow. Oh my gosh!! I have been sleeping so well ever since!" -Jorge Varela
Sleeping enough to dream again! "I have had sleep issues for years, and nothing worked. I had been reduced to taking valium, with Nyquil two nights a week, just to keep from being completely exhausted. Now I dab RutaVaLa on my feet, neck and brain stem, and forehead. I am sleeping enough to dream again! First time in years!" -Mona Cheney
Poor sleep resolved "For years my husband has had a problem going to sleep and staying asleep. He would awake several times during the night. Since applying Lavender at bed time his sleep has been deep and restful. If he awakes, no more than once a night, he just reapplies and sleeps the rest of the night." -Jo Cason
Sleep Essence "For several months, I have had trouble sleeping through the night. I recently ordered Sleep Essence and take 2 capsules. I sleep deeply through the night and wake up refreshed."
-Chris Wisecarver
Goodbye to Ambien and sleep walking "I had been taking Ambien for sleep for over a year. Like so many others I went through a form of sleep walking on the medicine. I would get out of bed and raid the fridge and kitchen cabinet but with no recollection of the fact. This amnesia was frightening and is one side effect I didn't need. So I titrated off Ambien and replaced it with essential oils. Now I mix 50/50 Citrus Fresh and Lavender. I rub the mix on my big toes, the bottoms of my feet, around my navel, and on the back of my neck. I fall asleep within half an hour and sleep all night. And, of course, there is no more sleep walking and eating at midnight." -Robert Corrington
Lavender for sleep "I have been using the lavender essential oil every night, one hour before bed to relax and help me fall asleep, for the last six months. I put 2-3 drops on each foot. I am a very light sleeper so this oil really helps me fall asleep and stay asleep. When I wake up in the morning I feel rested and like I got a full night's sleep. I have to say it's the best sleep I've ever had since I've started this regimen." -Stephanie Lopez
Sleep apnea resolved "This has been a transforming experience with my sleep pattern. The doctors were convinced I needed the Sleep Apnea machine so I tried and tried using several different face apparatuses, from the full mask to the nasal piece. I had a difficult time with all of them, never able to get more than 3 hours a night. Then I tried lavender oil on my forehead, my temples and my pillow, plus Peace & Calming on my feet as well as Valor. I have not slept this peacefully in so long, I can't even remember! Thank you so very much, this has been life- transforming for me!"
-Vicki Luckman
Progessence Plus helps sleep "Being post-menopausal, I do not use traditional HRT as I'm not only allergic to the synthetic products, but have a high risk for breast cancer. While I have almost no side-effects of menopause, I have trouble sleeping. The product that consistently helps me sleep through the night is Progessence Plus – 2 drops on each forearm after my evening shower. Within 30 minutes, I'm nodding off, and I sleep deeply through the night. Finally, I'm getting some rest!" -Michelle Ferrer
Valor for snoring and better sleep "My husband has had problems getting a good sleep, he would snore very loudly and then run out of breath, choke a bit and wake himself up due to not breathing. It's never been diagnosed but we think he has sleep apnea. After he started using Valor on his feet at night, he doesn't snore anymore and breaths normally and we both get a good night's sleep." -Cathy Stevens
RutaVaLa for stress and wonderful sleep "RutaVaLa makes me sleep really good at night. I like the RutaVaLa essential oil blend and the RutaVaLa Roll On. I roll it on the back of my neck and under my nose. Also makes me calm down when I am stressed. I think this oil is great!"
-Mae Jones
I feel more like myself now "I started using a drop of Progessence Plus on the front of my throat and on the inside of my forearms. It took a month or two for me to see a real difference in my sleep patterns.Now I sleep thru the night most of the time. If I do wake up, I usually go back to sleep. I am in my late 60's and well past menopause. I use the Progessence Plus each morning."
-Sharon Nagel
Lavender works wonders for sleep "Even though lavender is a commonly used oil, I had never used it. I recently started putting it on my temples and under my chin right before I pull the covers over me at night. I find it helps me go to sleep right away and dream like crazy. I awaken feeling like I had slept like a baby!" -Karen Kearney
Sleep well with RutaVala "Let me first state I am usually a very light sleeper.
I have been enjoying the usage of RutaVaLa on nights when I am restless and my mind is preoccupied, or when it is noisy on the weekends with my teenagers, yet I still need to get some sleep. While already on my bed, I apply one drop on the bottom of each foot and one drop on my wrists and hold my wrists together and lay down and inhale the oil from my wrists. Immediately, I am out like a light. I sleep soundly and deeply. I awaken refreshed and ready for the world. It is amazing!
I am looking forward to seeing how this oil will work for my sister in law who has insomnia. I will keep you posted!" -Sheryl Glenn
Insomnia no more "I have been having a hard time getting to sleep and when I finally do sleep I've been having a hard time staying asleep.
It was suggested to me to try Peace and Calming Essential Oil blend. I diffuse it in the Young Living Ultrasonic diffuser for about an hour before bedtime and then just as I get into bed I put 2-3 drops on each foot (along the medial (big toe) side of the foot).
I have been sleeping like a baby right through the night – not even having to get up and use the washroom – which in turn has increased my energy a LOT. I've had three other people who swear by this oil for insomnia as well." -Lucille Dalke
Immupro and sleep "I have 3 young children who are usually pretty wound up around bedtime and have trouble going to sleep. I started giving them Immupro chewable tablets before bed and they settle right down and go to sleep!" -Jason Bruckner
Jill Taylor "walks her talk" when it comes to anti-aging and youthfulness, and if you've met her, you know this is true. Her passion and expertise for staying young and healthy has helped hundreds of clients the last 14 years. With a strong background in health, nutrition, integrative medicine, and anti-aging, Jill equips her clients with resources, learning, and encouragement to live healthier, more youthful lives.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Jill,
My husband has been having great difficulty with getting a peaceful and restful night sleep. He works 24 hrs. shifts at the fire department and is in a supervisory position (Deputy Chief) which comes with great responsibility. We also run and operate a family business. We provide livery service to local funeral homes.
I have been noticing that when he sleeps at night that he snores and someteimes stops breathing. I have to wake him up when this happens. I know this can needs to be taken care of. I personally do not like conventional medicine as I know it is chemicals that people are putting into their bodies. I also heard negative things about the breathing machine.
Can you please recommend to me what I can do to help him. I believe highly in essential oils and knw they are very powerful.
Jill I was also wondering if you know anything about Lyme Disease as I was told that I have what's called babasia. I know that I have been having challenges with candida and getting rid of that completely, however I do not ever remember getting bit by a tick or having any signs of it on my body such as the round circles. I did have a blood test that said that I had babasia, howeve I am still skeptical about that. Can you please give me some guidance regarding all of this. I want to get my health bacn 100% and help my husband to sleep better and feel his best abain. Thanks so much,
Sincerely,
Tina
I am searching everywhere for the out of stock from Youngs Living Sleepessence.
Do you happen to have any?
In gratitude,
Maureen Moss