People of all ages have nightmares from time to time. A nightmare is any bad dream that is so vivid that you have an emotional reaction to it when you wake up. The dream may leave you feeling sad, depressed, anxious, worried, fearful or even desperate. If bad dreams are keeping you up at night, try essential oils for nightmares and see if you can turn them into sweet slumber.
If there is something specific giving you bad dreams, making some changes in your lifestyle may help. For example, if you tend to have bad dreams every time you watch a scary movie or eat chocolate before going to bed, then you can avoid those triggers.
However, when you don’t know the reason for your nightmares or when it’s the result of taking medication, stress, trauma, PTSD or some other illness, then you may need help getting a good night sleep. Instead of taking medication to help you sleep that might contribute to the problem, here are five of the best essential oils to use for nightmares.
Best Essential Oils For Children’s Nightmares
Lavender Essential Oil
One of the first oils you should try to help you relax and rest more peacefully is lavender essential oil.
Many people use it to help treat insomnia because of its calming effects. It helps to ease anxiety so you can fall sleep and rest more soundly. You’ll wake up feeling rested and ready for whatever the day brings. Another great thing about lavender oil is that it’s even safe for kids.
Add 20 drops of lavender oil to a 10 ml roller bottle, and top off with your favorite carrier oil. Use behind your ears, on your wrists and/or the bottom of your feet just before bed.
Mandarin Essential Oil
Mandarin essential oil has a mild scent that is soothing and relaxing. When you’re relaxed and fall asleep, you’re more likely to rest more peacefully and have good dreams instead of nightmares. Diffusing this oil before bedtime will help create a great environment for resting peacefully: add 5 drops of mandarin oil to your diffuser and use it for 15 to 30 minutes before bedtime.
Vetiver Essential Oil
The earthly aroma of vetiver oil is very grounding and has the ability to help you feel calm and relaxed emotionally. This helps you rest more peacefully so it greatly reduces the chances of having a nightmare. It also helps to lower your blood pressure, relieve spasms and it aids the digestive system. All of which help you feel better physically, which contributes to a good night sleep.
Sandalwood Essential Oil
Sandalwood essential oil has a soothing scent but it also has the ability to help relax the nervous system.
According to an article by Dr. Axe, a study was done in 2006 that proved sandalwood oil creates a clear, calm and pleasant sense of awareness that makes you feel at peace. As a result, it has helped many people fall asleep faster and sleep more peacefully but it won’t make you drowsy like lavender oil does.
Rose Essential Oil
Rose oil has a calming effect that can help reduce stress and feelings of anxiety. Therefore, if stress and anxiety is the cause of your nightmares, then rose oil may help you rest easier. You can diffuse the oil in your bedroom or rub some on the bottom of your feet before going to bed.
Use essential oils to help calm your nerves and relax your mind and it may help you sleep more peacefully. Certain scents can make you feel happy and at peace with yourself. Others can make you drowsy so you fall asleep faster, all of which can help improve your quality of life. When you feel happy and relaxed, you naturally sleep more peacefully and you’re less likely to have a nightmare.
Lavender essential oil is one of the best natural sleep aids that I know. I use it every night to get a solid night’s rest. Make sure to get “pure” lavender oil though.