Sleep Therapy

Bath & Body Works' Aromatherapy Sleep Collection

 

For years I’ve been plagued by the annoying problem of not being able to fall asleep at night. I’ve tried just about every natural option—from Sleepytime tea and journaling to no caffeine after 6 p.m.—all to no avail. Nothing, it seemed, could bring on a restful night’s sleep—until I tried aromatherapy. Bath & Body Works’ Aromatherapy Sleep Collection was designed with the help of one of the world’s most renowned sleep experts, Dr. Michael J. Breus. The premise is simple: the blend of essential oils (in this case, vanilla absolute and chamomile) eases you into sleep mode.

Every night before bed I sprayed my pillow and sheets with the vanilla-infused pillow mist and lathered my hands with the lotion. Within minutes of head-to-pillow, I was fast asleep. Call it mental, but it worked for me. Even when I was sure I would hit REM mode without help, I still spritzed and sprayed simply because the scent was so subtle yet intoxicating. Maybe it was the idea that a sleep aid could be in the form of a spritz rather than a pill that piqued my interest—but either way, the result was seven hours of nice, long sleep.

Body Lotion, $13; Pillow Mist, $10; Bath & Body Works, Blakeney Village, 9816-H Rea Rd.; 704-341-5648