Definition of sleep
The dictionary defines sleep as: “a condition of body and mind which typically recurs for
several hours every night, in which the nervous system is inactive, the eyes
closed, the postural muscles relaxed, and consciousness practically suspended.”
Sleep variations
It is impossible for individuals to give
a detailed analysis of their sleep as they are, yes, you guessed it: asleep!1 There are many variations on sleep
quality. Often we hear the following:
• did not sleep well because of too many dreams!
• slept deeply but felt tired when arising
•
sleeping in bursts, waking
but feeling fine (or not) in the morning.
Effects of not sleeping well
There are negative consequences
following a night of inadequate or broken sleep. It is more difficult to absorb
new information, concentration is not as sharp as it could be and our judgement
and moods are affected. Safety is put at risk as reaction times are much slower
when operating equipment. Driving a car in a state of fatigue has been compared
to driving when drunk.
Effects of a good sleep
“Good sleep is possibly the best natural
medicine in existence”. Scientific studies show that sleep plays a critical
role in keeping us healthy, all bodily functions slow down and remain highly
regular and stress free. Being well rested boosts our immune system and
metabolism and may decrease the risk of health problems such as obesity, heart
disease and diabetes1.
Our sense of
smell
The
following is a very very brief explanation on our sense of smell. Inhaled
essential oils dissolve in the mucus that is present in the nostrils, this then
reaches the olfactory system that stimulates nerves that transmit the message
to the olfactory bulb into the limbic system.
There, the amygdala plays a big role in the memory of smells and the
storage of emotion - happiness, depression, grief, etc. Smell sensations are
relayed to the brain hemispheres where cognitive recognition occurs after the
limbic brain has been stimulated. This is when we recognise smells, which have
motivational and emotional influences on us.
Some smells
may make us feel uncomfortable and may even make us feel sick. A pleasant smell
however will lift our mood and make us feel positive. As essential oils reach
the limbic system, neurochemicals and hormones are released that affect the
body’s functions such as boosting the
immune system. Some essential oil components have a calming and sedative effect
on the brain and slow the heart rate both through inhalation and through massage2.
A great
blend of high quality essential oils that induces sleep, it combines essential
oils that relieve stress, are calming and sedative and help the brain and body
to relax. Users have reported an improved quality of sleep - deeper, longer and
more restful. An elderly user discovered it helped dissipate unpleasant dreams.
Conclusion
Improved
sleep patterns have a positive effect on general health and wellbeing.
References
1. Healthy Sleep.
(2007) A resource from the Division of
Sleep Medicine Harvard Medical School. Retrieved from http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/
2. Arthur, D. (1997). Aromatherapy.
Australian school of clinical aromatherapy. Course notes.
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