Unusual sleep trick that's 'worth trying' if you can't doze off

From bristolpost.co.uk

Wearing some of your favourite scent at bedtime could help 

Social media is full of advice on many topics, including tips for those who can't sleep. While there are many ideas out there, one you might not have thought of is wearing perfume to bed.

Marilyn Monroe was once quoted as saying: "What do I wear in bed? Why, Chanel No. 5, of course." But can wearing your favourite smells help you get a good night's sleep or are you going to waste your favourite perfume doing so?

Petar Peric, a perfume expert from Chez Pierre, said: "Smells play an important role in the physiological effects of mood and stress. Using your favourite fragrance, you can evoke feelings of happiness and relaxation which can improve our sleep quality. We use fragrances all the time to boost our mood during the day, so adding smells to your bedtime routine is worth trying if you are having difficulty sleeping."

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While perfumes may make you feel happy which can help with falling asleep, there are certain smells that you should avoid, according to Petar.

Petar said: "Everyone is different so finding the perfume that relaxes you may take some practice, but in general I would advise that you don't use perfumes that revitalise you just before bed. Avoid any perfumes that contain a citrus, peppermint or lemongrass base as these are energising smells that can wake you up, these smells are better kept for the morning."

The ancient Greeks used smells to cure insomnia and lavender in particular has been used to improve sleep quality and increase the time spent in deep sleep. If you don't have a perfume with lavender notes, there are other scents you can use to relax.

Petar said: "Sandalwood, Bergamot, Chamomile and Vanilla are scents that can be used to help aid relaxation and sleep. Vanilla, for instance, is a comforting scent that can calm the mind and body which can promote relaxation and reduce stress levels. Sandalwood is a scent that promotes a sense of inner peace, Bergamot can relieve anxiety, while Chamomile is widely regarded as a sleep-inducer.

"If you are having trouble sleeping you should test which scent works best for you. Once you have found one that relaxes you, apply it to your pulse points around five minutes before bedtime. Don't spray your perfume on your pillows as some influencers recommend as this could cause eye irritation, keeping you up all night."

Some may be put off from using their expensive scents just to sleep in but you don't have to use your designer perfumes with long-lasting smells for this to work.

"Designer perfumes can be expensive because they are made to last, with most people falling asleep in 20 minutes or less you only need the smell to stick around for that time, which means you can use cheaper perfumes to save some money while getting a good night's sleep," said Petar.

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/unusual-sleep-trick-thats-worth-9340193