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!
