Who doesn't LOVE a good nights sleep!!! One of my favorite sleep essential oil diffuser blends is Serenity and Wild Orange. Can't think of a better way to help me fall asleep. The number of peer-reviewed scientific journals related to sleep has more than tripled since 2005, and for good reason. Research has proven that sleep influences every component of your health and well-being (1). Recent research has linked sleep deprivation to many challenges of our modern lifestyle (2, 3). One of the foundations of a lifestyle that promotes health and vitality is getting adequate rest and sleep, which starts with creating a restful sleep environment. So put a few drops of Adaptiv® Calming Blend, or your other favorite relaxing essential oil in your diffuser, and snooze your way to:
1. Healthy Blood Pressure Levels
The term “nocturnal dipping” refers to the fact that your blood pressure drops during normal sleep. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure normally drop 10–20% while you are restfully sleeping compared to when you are awake. Having good sleeping habits helps maintain healthy blood pressure levels (4). Research has shown that normal nocturnal dipping is associated with overall cardiovascular system function (5).
2. Healthy Blood Sugar Regulation
Maintaining health blood sugar levels is a progressively growing health concern (6). As research has shown, healthy blood sugar regulation is one of the primary factors in overall cardiovascular system function (7). There is a strong link between good sleeping habits and healthy blood sugar regulation (8).
3. A Strong Immune System
Your immune system is tasked with protecting your body from disease-causing pathogens, and that complex system of cells, organs, and proteins cannot effectively do its job if you are sleep deprived. Research has shown that your circadian system (internal system that regulates your sleep-wake cycle) and sleeping patterns impact your immune system in several different ways (9). Good sleeping habits support your immune system’s ability to fight off toxic pathogens by supporting healthy inflammation and T-cell activation.
4. A Healthy Weight
Sleep deprivation has been linked to nearly every factor in weight management. Lack of sleep has been shown to increase the neurological desire to eat, lead to dysregulation of hunger and satiety hormones, make you less likely to exercise, and more likely to gain weight (10-13).
5. Mental Health
According to research, good sleep hygiene is closely linked to mental health and overall quality of life (14). Those who meet recommended guidelines for sleep are more likely to report high overall life happiness.
6. Cognitive Health
Sleep has been linked to various measures of cognitive performance and health. Clinical research has shown that good sleep hygiene is associated high levels of attention, memory, and overall cognitive health (15-17). It is believed that this is largely due to the prefrontal cortex, a region of the brain that is important for executive function (18).
7. Longer Life
Adherence to healthy sleeping patterns has been linked to increased lifespan. One clinical study of long-lived individuals (aged over 85) showed that strict sleep-wake schedules were more prevalent than in those with shorter lifespans (19). Furthermore, a large longitudinal cohort study showed that healthy sleep patterns was associated with cardiovascular system health and longer lifespan (20).
Meeting recommended guidelines is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support your overall health and well-being. Whether you are concerned about your cognitive performance, mental health, or have hit a roadblock with your weight management plan, try sleeping it off.
