The Best Scents for Better Sleep
17 Jul 2025
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Sleep is a cornerstone of good health, yet millions struggle to get restful, consistent sleep. While factors like mattress quality and sleep hygiene are essential, emerging research reveals another powerful aid: scent.
Aromatherapy—the use of natural fragrances to enhance well-being—can reduce stress, calm the mind, and prepare the body for rest. By engaging the olfactory system, which connects directly to the brain’s limbic system, calming scents help lower heart rate, ease anxiety, and promote restorative sleep cycles.
Here are 7 of the best scents to improve your sleep, along with practical tips on how to incorporate them into your bedtime routine.
Scent Profile: Light, earthy, herbal
Benefits: Lavender is the most researched sleep-enhancing scent. According to a Healthline review, it may reduce anxiety, lowers heart rate, and enhances slow-wave sleep. Its anti-inflammatory effects may also relieve nighttime congestion.
How to Use: Diffuse 2–3 drops in your bedroom, add to a pillow spray, or dilute with a carrier oil to apply on your wrists or temple.
Scent Profile: Sweet, floral, warm
Benefits: Jasmine has been shown to outperform lavender in some studies by reducing nighttime movement and improving alertness upon waking. Its sedative effects encourage uninterrupted sleep.
How to Use: Place jasmine sachets near your bed, use a diffuser, or incorporate jasmine-scented body wash into your pre-bed shower.
Scent Profile: Herbal, sweet, smoky
Benefits: Chamomile is well-known for its sedative properties, reducing insomnia severity and anxiety. A PMC study found inhaled chamomile oil significantly improves sleep quality.
How to Use: Add to a warm bath, diffuse, or blend into massage oil.
Scent Profile: Woodsy, sweet, floral
Benefits: Sandalwood increases non-REM sleep (critical for falling asleep) and reduces headaches. Its grounding aroma also supports meditation and relaxation.
How to Use: Diffuse in the bedroom or apply diluted oil to pulse points (wrist, side of the neck)
Scent Profile: Earthy, vanilla-like
Benefits: Valerian root, a traditional insomnia remedy, prolongs sleep duration by influencing GABA pathways. A PMC trial confirms its efficacy in reducing sleep latency.
How to Use: Use sparingly in a diffuser due to its potent scent.
Scent Profile: Floral, sweet, fresh
Benefits: Rose oil lowers anxiety in clinical settings, particularly among cardiac patients, and fosters a soothing sleep environment.
How to Use: Spritz rose pillow spray or diffuse for 30 minutes before bed.
Scent Profile: Woody, warm, balsamic
Benefits: Cedarwood stimulates melatonin production, helping users fall asleep faster. Its calming effects create a peaceful atmosphere ideal for rest.
How to Use: Add to a diffuser or apply a drop to your pillowcase.
Diffusers: Ultrasonic diffusers disperse essential oils without heat, preserving their therapeutic qualities. Place one near your Hush Home mattress to combine scent with optimal spinal support.
Pillow Sprays: Lightly spritz lavender or chamomile spray on your bedding for direct inhalation throughout the night.
Baths: Add 5–10 drops of essential oil to a warm bath to relax muscles and mind before sleep.
Massage: Mix essential oils with coconut or jojoba oil and use for a calming pre-bed massage.
Room Sprays & Sachets: Refresh your sleep space with linen sprays or tuck sachets under pillows for subtle, soothing scent.
Adding these scents to your nightly routine can significantly elevate your sleep quality. When paired with a supportive sleep environment, their benefits multiply.
Explore Hush Home’s mattress collection or browse our bedding essentials to create a sanctuary tailored for rest.
Remember, great sleep is a blend of science, habit, and comfort—let scent be your gateway to deeper, more restorative nights!
