I can’t sleep. Most nights I’m up till anywhere from 1-3am. Ridiculous, I know. I end up sleeping way too late in the mornings. Ugh.
This week, from March 9-15, 2025 is National Sleep Awareness Week sponsored by the National Sleep Foundation. At first, I thought the Foundation might be a bunch of marketing people from mattress companies, but fortunately I think my hunch was jaded from working in advertising for most of my career. Instead, the National Sleep Foundation, founded in 1990, seems to be an advocacy group that “is committed to advancing excellence in sleep health theory, research, and practice.” The group is dedicated to improving health and well-being through sleep education and advocacy. Their website features lots of links to answers based on research to many of everyone’s sleep questions! It’s worth checking out!
One of the topics that I investigated was “How Technology Can Help You Sleep Better”. The article discussed the evolution of high-tech mattresses, sheets and pillows. It also reinforced something I already knew about bedroom lighting. I know that it is recommended to shut off devices like phones, TVs, computer screens or any device that emits blue light. I am one of the worst offenders in that area. I have a TV in my bedroom, and I also have a blue-light emitting Zevo bug killer that plugs into one of my bedroom outlets. In addition, I have my Pura Diffuser that, when it’s shut off, displays a blue light that cycles on and off. As long as it’s plugged into the electrical outlet, the blue light keeps going.
Nevertheless, one article I read mentioned the role of scent in helping to induce sleep. You may know how much I like fragrances! Scents can calm the mind, lower stress and anxiety, and set the stage for sleeping.
Many of us already know that the scent of lavender is supposed to be calming especially before bed.
Years before Crabtree & Evelyn went out of business as we knew it, I bought a C&E Lavender Sleep Spray to spray my pillow before bed. I can’t remember if it helped me fall asleep faster, but it smelled nice. Since not everyone is a fan of lavender, other scents such as chamomile and sandalwood calm and soothe one’s mood. I love “cashmere” scents, and they are marked by sandalwood and other ingredients.
I will be moving my Pura Diffuser to my connecting bathroom where the light won’t affect my sleep, and I will be using my scents to try to help me fall asleep:
I wish my internet would allow me to use the automatic program that my Pura Diffuser has instead of me having to turn it on and shut it off by hand!
Good night this week to all of you! Sleep well!
I suggest you try “Lights Out” gummies by Vena. There’s even a 30% discount with code SLEEPY. They’re amazing. I take half or a whole one every night. They work quickly because of the melatonin and are very tasty. I just wish they weren’t sugar coated, but oh well.
Thank you, Amy, for the suggestion. Unfortunately, melatonin never worked for me. Are there other ingredients as well? I will check them out and see. I’ve been thinking about you and wondering what part of the world you’re in. Another friend just came back from SMA and had a great time. Let’s make a plan to catch up soon by phone
Here are 2 GREAT items to have on hand to help with your sleep.. My mother is almost 95 and has major sleep problems (she has prescription sleep pills)
I received a sample of popmask calm – self-warming calming eye mask and a sample of wellamoon. I DON’T HAVE A SLEEP PROBLEM so I gave them to my mother to try.
3 days later she told me to order both of these for her. She is sleeping good and most of the time she does NOT take her sleeping pill now. And she keep a supply on hand….. does not want to run out.
Check them out on amazon they work!
I absolutely will check them out, Gloria! I saw ads for Wellamoon, but I didn’t know anyone who tried them. I love Popmasks, and I currently have another brand for travel. I have an eye mask for my dry eye problem that plugs in, but the self-heating ones are easier than having a cord. However, I don’t use those every night because they end up in a landfill 🙁 Thank you so much!
Hi, Allison – What a discovery! I’ll go look up this site. I’ve never been a morning person so I ended up believing I’m a night owl. That’s when I’m most active and productive. I’m on my second year of trying to accomplish my New Year’s resolution of midnight lights out. But I usually end up with the same bedtime as you. My favorite bedtime scent is Bath & Body Works lavender vanilla “Sleep “ line. Thanks for sharing this – Angie, http://www.yourtrueselfblog.com
It’s awful when you can’t sleep. I had it a few years ago, menopause, and started to use hormones because of it. Now I sleep fantastic.