Lavender Aromatherapy for Insomnia

Lavender Aromatherapy for Insomnia

by

Clinical studies show that lavender aromatherapy has excellent and positive effects on insomnia, especially with women through midlife.  

Most of us have experienced insomnia at one point or another in our lives, and this is especially true for women in mid-life. Insomnia is a disorder that prevents you from getting adequate sleep, including difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. It can also mean you are not getting past the REM level of sleep into the deeper, rejuvenating sleep your body and mind require.  

People suffering from insomnia may:

  • Take 30 or more minutes to fall asleep
  • Get less than six hours of sleep per night several times a week
  • Have trouble staying asleep/wake up far too early
  • Not fall into the deep sleep levels and not feel rested after sleeping
  • Feel sleepy or drowsy throughout the day

Over time, this affects your health in several ways such as:

  • Anxiety
  • Irritability
  • Stress
  • Focusing
  • Memory
  • Headaches
  • Other health issues such as gastrointestinal problems

Lavender Aromatherapy Study

A 2011 study published by the US National Library of Medicine examined the effects of lavender aromatherapy over 12 weeks on heart rate variability (HRV) in midlife women with insomnia. Sixty-seven women aged 45 to 55 participated.

One group received lavender inhalation for 20 minutes twice a week for 12 weeks. The study showed that lavender inhalation had persistent short-term effects on HRV. The women receiving lavender aromatherapy experienced a significant improvement in sleep quality.

Since sleep problems are common in both pre- and post-menopausal women, the study sought to explore natural solutions like aromatherapy as an alternative to Western medicine.

Aromatherapy and Sleep

Aromatherapy has been used for millennia to induce better sleep. Lavender inhalation, in particular, has long been known in alternative medicine to encourage a better state of mind for deeper sleep.

Study Results

The study found a significant decrease in mean heart rate after 20 minutes of lavender aromatherapy. After 12 weeks, midlife women with insomnia had substantial improvements in sleep quality.

Numerous other studies have since confirmed the positive effect of lavender aromatherapy on insomnia.

For more information on lavender, join our newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or on Pinterest. You can also shop for Belvedere Lavender skincare products online!

Combat Dry Skin: Tips and Tricks for Fall and Winter

Combat Dry Skin: Tips and Tricks for Fall and Winter

by

As we transition from summer into fall, heading for winter, our skin is about to embark on a slippery slope towards dry skin. Each year as the seasons change, we find ourselves battling dry skin. Knowing that everyone has a different type of skin, we’ve put together a quick roundup of tips on how to prevent and deal with dry skin. Here’s how to combat dry skin before it arrives.

Drink water. A great way to help prevent and combat dry skin is to increase your water intake. Hydrate your skin from the inside out. Everyone has a recommendation of the amount of water they should consume each day. But those recommendations are different for each person. Not sure if you’re getting enough water each day? Add in a glass of water and see how you and your skin react.

Moisturize. A great moisturizer can make the difference between regular skin and dry skin. When looking at moisturizers remember to fact in several items. What part of your body is the moisturizer for? Body, face, hands or feet? What are the ingredients in the moisturizer? Some moisturizers contain ingredients like alcohol that further dry your skin. Read the ingredient label carefully. A great moisturizer should provide your skin with moisture, all natural and organic ingredients. We recommend our Face & Eye Cream or Hand & Body Lotion.

Watch the water temperature. When bathing or showering, watch your water temperature. While it feels incredible to have a long hot shower, the hot water strips away your skin’s natural oils and dries your skin, contributing to dry skin.

Moisturize after bathing. One of the best ways to reduce the likelihood of dry skin. We recommend using our Face & Eye Cream. For your body, we recommend Belvedere Lavender’s Body Oil or Body Butter to help seal in the moisture.

Humidifier. If you happen to live in a dry home or environment, consider using a humidifier to ensure the air in your home contains some moisture. In the winter months, often our skin dries out from exposure to dry air, like the air found inside or outside of your home. Adding a humidifier to your home during the winter months can help add moisture to your home, reducing the dry air environment inside your home.

Wash your face outside of the shower. While having a bath or shower, it is easy to wash your face. But this may be contributing to dry skin. We all love a nice hot shower. But using hot water in the shower for washing your face may be making dry skin worse. Washing your face at a sink helps you control the water temperature, ensuring that you’re using cooler water. We recommend applying our amazing Anti-Aging Serum after washing your face in the evening. Our Anti-Aging Serum revitalizes and rejuvenates the look of your skin.

Dry skin is a problem for most in the fall and winter months and in environments where the air is dry. But there are tools and recommendations that can help you should you combat dry skin. How to combat dry skin before it arrives is a great way to win the battle on dry skin.

You can find great luxurious skin care products that work at our safe and secure online store.