Diffusers can be used throughout the day, and it is a great way to use your essential oils. But what many people don’t realise is that it can be used at night too! Using diffusers are great at night if you’re having trouble relaxing, sleeping or just stressed from work in general; it can assist in winding down and helping you get some rest. With this said, the type of essential oil that you use in your ultrasonic oil diffuser matters. For example, you don’t want to be using a nice zesty and citrus based essential oil in your diffuser, as diffusing these oils can actually cause the opposite effect and help you stay awake and more focused; for example, the lemon and grapefruit essential oil. Diffusing citrus based essential oils can help with relaxation and focus but may not help too much when it comes to promoting sleep. If you do love citrus oils, the ones that may help are mandarin and bergamot which are more mellow and have less of a sharp scent. Before we get into what essential oils are recommended in your diffuser, let's talk about the diffuser itself and how it can help at night.
Now if you have purchased a diffuser here are D:FUSE NZ, the information below may help; otherwise do check your diffuser manual to see if any of the functions below work on your diffuser. All of our water-based diffusers have a turn off mechanism. What this means is when the water runs low or out while diffusing, the diffuser will automatically turn off by itself. Now, what this allows is safety when using your diffuser at night as you don’t want to have to worry about your diffuser over heating or drying out. There is no heat involved in our diffusers, however when using your diffuser at night it is important to understand how long you want it to run for and how long it usually takes for you to relax and fall asleep.
Majority of our diffusers have a timer which makes diffusing at night easier. What we like to do at home is to use our diffuser roughly 30 minutes before we are wanting to fall asleep. Now this is just an estimate as everyone's bed time routine is different. Personally, we like to set the diffuser on a one-hour setting; this means that after an hour the diffuser will turn off itself. This is usually what we do personally when diffusing at night. It is important to note that if you are using your diffuser just before bed, make sure it is done safely. Make sure it is in a safe and secure place and if you do have pets in your bedroom, do make sure the diffuser is out of reach (consult your local vet before using essential oils around pets). Make sure the diffuser is in a safe place and out of your way, especially if you do toss and turn when sleeping! This has happened to us personally when water ended up on the floor when the diffuser was a bit too close to the bed. Just a heads up!
Now that we have gone through the diffuser side of things, let's talk about essential oils. There are many essential oils that can be used to help relax and sleep. It is important to note that before you use any essential oils at night in your diffuser, make sure to use it during the day first when you are wide awake. This is to make sure there are no allergic or sensitivity reactions. Below are the top three essential oils that we like to use in our diffuser at night.
Lavender:
Lavender can be considered the king of all essential oils. It is gentle, calming and genuinely smells great. It is a versatile oil and is particularly great to help with sleep. There have been studies done which have shown lavender essential oil helping with relaxation and sleep quality. If you are having trouble sleeping, using lavender in your diffuser isn't the only option. Apart from diffusers, there are also many companies which make lavender scented pillows which can help with relaxation and sleep, this may be something that can benefit individuals who are finding it hard to fall asleep.
Ylang Ylang:
Ylang Ylang is one of our favourites when it comes to calming and relaxation. It has a nice sweet and floral scent which is just beautiful to use before bed. For those that are unsure what Ylang Ylang is, it is a curvy yellow flower that has a slight star shape and is grown in tropical areas. Although it is not as wide known as Lavender, it is still a great essential oil to use before bed.
Clary Sage:
There is something about clary sage essential oil that is just relaxing. It’s hard to describe but it feels like it has a bit of each scent. It’s a bit herbaceous, slightly woody and floral. If you have used clary sage essential oil before, you will know what we are talking about when we say it’s hard to describe, if you haven’t used it, do try it! Clary sage essential oil is not for everyone as the scent is quite earthy, but we personally love it in our diffuser to help us relax.
There are plenty of oils out there that can be used to help with relaxation and sleep. The three oils listed above are just our personal favourites when it comes to diffusing at night. Always remember to be careful when using your diffuser and essential oils as they are potent liquids. Remember not to use too much essential oil in your diffuser, we recommended 4-6 drops of essential oil per 100ml of water. If you do have any pets in the house, do remember to go and ask your vet for advice before using any essential oils around your pet.
Please note when using any essential oils:
Keep out of reach of children. Any essential oil may cause skin sensitivity. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician first. Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas. Happy diffusing!
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