If you don’t have good sleep, then in this article we’ll cover plants that help you sleep that you should be growing, so you get a better night of rest.
Table of Contents
Sleep Is Important
Sleep is something that many of us take for granted like we do breathing or blinking. The only time people begin to pay attention to sleep is when they are suffering from an ailment related to sleep. Sleep is important because you need sleep for your body to relax and heal. You need sleep for your mind to slow down from the worries and cares of the day. I even read somewhere that God speaks to people in the night dreams when a person is asleep. Thus sleep is important for physical, mental, and spiritual needs of the individual.
Sleep Is Lacking
One issue is that many people today are lacking sleep. It is estimated by some reports that 50 to 70 million people in the United States of America suffer from some form of insomnia. Newborn babies are the best sleepers on the planet with upwards of 16 hours in a day. These newborns only wake up to eat, poop, and take in the world a bit before sleeping again.
The average amount of sleep needed for adults between 18 to 40 is 9 hours. Wow. Who can afford to spend 9 hours sleeping in today’s generation with social media, YouTube, and the world basically on 24/7? Even though you can function on 5 hours of sleep, you won’t be at your best without rest. Going without sleep can lead to sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation can lead to a weakened immune system, memory issues, attention issues, moodiness, and in extreme cases, a behaviour resembling being mildly intoxicated. Yup, you got that right. Severely sleep deprived persons can experience a form of intoxication as your focus is diminished, your reflexes slow down, and your capacity for coherent thought is weakened.
Harvard Defines Sleep
According to Harvard, sleep is a state of being where there are noticeable changes in brain wave activity as well as breathing, heart rate, body temperature, and other bodily functions. Sleep has different stages where different physiological functions may be more active then others. Sleep also indicates a period of unresponsiveness to external stimuli.
If you’re a “light sleeper” then you’re really not getting proper sleep. If the slightest external stimuli causes you to make up from your slumber, you’re not getting proper sleep. You’re trying but honestly you’re not succeeding at sleep!
Power of Flowers
This bring us to the garden! It is the place where the wild man can go to relax and become a tranquil human again. Flowers look beautiful to the eyes and they also give off beautiful smells to satisfy the senses. Some flowers give off an aroma that can have a relaxing effect on the person smelling it. Side note, why do you think those folks selling purified, concentrated oils of trees and flowers are making so much money? It’s because the smells really do impact us. And those multi-million dollar companies have figured out how to get you and thousands of others buying it.
Top 3 Plants That Help You Sleep Better
Fragrant plants, such as jasmine, gardenia, and lavender give off a fragrance that has been shown to calm nerves and help people sleep.
Sleep Helper #1: Jasmine
Okay, I’ll admit it right now. I love the smell of Jasmine. It is definitely one of my most favourite smelling plants. It is also hard to find for sale. If you can find Jasmine to grow and enjoy, your yard will be filled with a heavenly smell. You’ll love it. In a study from Wheeling Jesuit University, it was found that Jasmine was a powerful sleep aid and helped relax the brain, reduce anxiety, and leave you more mentally alert upon waking up.
Sleep Helper #2: Gardenia
I’m not a huge fan of gardenias but they do have a fragrant smell which can help you sleep better. In scientific tests, German researcher found that the smell from the gardenia flower enhances activity of the neurotransmitter GABA. It had a sedative effect on the individual. If you plant this in your backyard, it might help you sleep better too.
Sleep Helper #3: Lilac
Lilac is a delight during the day. Aside from its antibacterial and antifungal benefits, it also produces a beautiful aroma which can help with your mental well-being. It can give some better clarity and sense of perception while at the same time easing anxiety and calming the mind. It puts you in a mood where you’re trying to regain harmony and balance. That is helpful to you getting a good night rest.
Bonus Sleep Helper: Lavender
Lavender has a very powerful smell. I’ve been to lavender fields close to Niagara Falls and also close to Kingston, both in Ontario. It is amazing how those plants grow. In speaking to the growers I was told it takes a lot of effort to get the young lavender plants established. Of course, lavender is a very popular and fragrant scent which is used in oils sold by big network marketing companies. You can save yourself the expense of buying those oils and just grow the plants around your house. Then you can pick them to use in teas, in jams, and around your house too.
Conclusion
In conclusion, planting a garden is a good thing. Planting plants that create beautiful scents which help your body unwind and relax are a good thing for you and the family. After a stressful day, you will enjoy the scents, relax and enjoy the plants you have planted. Some of these plants are a bit finicky and require more tender loving care to get started but they are well worth the effort. You’ll be enjoying them for years to come.
Until next time, continue to learn and grow.
