Deeper Sleep — Kate O'Brien Wellness

In recent years I have struggled with my sleep - not the ‘getting to sleep as such’ (although I know sleep is not somewhere we go!), but the ‘getting back to sleep’ after waking, almost nightly, sometime between 2-3am in the morning. I have tried numerous remedies, I have researched the subject for many years, I have had my melatonin levels tested and am told my monkey mind is unable to rest for long enough to actually maintain sleep through a typical night. I have read the books, even written the chapters in two of my books (Your Middle Years and GLOW) and on this blog and bar taking full blown sleeping tablets, which I only succumb to after travelling long haul flights, I have had little success.

Subtle Energies

All of this said, the good news is that I have found some relief thanks to the clever folk at Subtle Energies in Australia. Founded in 1993 by Sydney-based Farida Irani at her Ayurvedic clinic of natural therapies, I love all the products I have tried (mostly the divine facial oils/serums). They tick all the boxes too, being naturally-based, ethical and results driven, but their clever Sleep Program Prescription Kit really has made a difference with my sleep!

Comprising their star skin rejuvenating Facial Blend serum, overflowing with Mogra Absolute - known as the Queen of Jasmines, it is credited with enhancing cell repair and renewal, while also easing stress and anxiety levels - Bliss Blend, to cool and nourish the skin, a cooling Rose Hydrosol, the Sleep Easy Nasaya Oil (more below) and the cleverly designed Blissful Sleep inhalation patches.

Other standout ingredients in the kit include the divinely aromatic Indian Rose, Kashmiri Lavender (a French lavender grown in the foothills of the Himalayas known to be rich in Linalool, which gives Lavender its sedating and soothing properties), Kewda (known as the dream oil) and Jatamansi, an essential oil that enhances the radiance of the skin, while also balancing the Ayurvedic Vata dosha, often the culprit in those with restless sleep.

Blissful Sleep

In my view these clever inhalation patches are the company’s pièce de résistance, carrying the same active aromas as mentioned above, on a self-adhering patch that slowly releases the calming therapeutic aromas to work their magic and quiet the mind, allowing more restful sleep. And, rather than attaching the the patch to your skin, do on your pyjama top or whatever you are wearing close to your face (if nada, then it will have to be the skin) and keep patch in place for a second night as the aroma is still relatively potent - making it better value!!!!

Sleep Easy Nasya Oil

In Ayurveda, Nasya is the application of particular therapeutic oils into the nasal passage, to relieve pain, tension and to aid sleep. Comprising 20-plus herbs infused into Black Sesame Seed, the Sleep Easy Nasaya OIl is the prefect complement to the patches - giving a double whammy of the calming, sleep inducing herbs.

Blooming Blends

The other product I am loving of late (especially as my stash of sleep patches has dried up) is Sleep Easy, a natural tincture from Blooming Blends in the UK - also available via my go-to natural pharmacy Victoria Health.

Sleep Easy is a natural sleep tincture created to entice deeper, more restful sleep. it is one of a capsule range of hand-blended tinctures channelling the best of nature's magic and plant power at a concentrated herb to liquid ratio to help strengthen and support both body and mind. Other in the range include Hangover Fix, Fatigue Fix, Brain Boost and Destress, amongst others.

Sleep Easy is heavy on Valerian to help maintain healthy restorative sleep, Chamomile, to gently soothe a restless mind, Passionflower to calmly induce sleep, nature’s sedative Catnip and Oat Straw to calm the nervous system. In all, just 20 drops (approx. 1/2 of a pipette) directly under the tongue or swallowed down. Vegans will be delighted to know that they are suitable for them too!

Sleep promoting foods

And, as I have stressed many times, including in my latest book GLOW, sleep is not somewhere we go, its about the body gently easing into sleep after a busy day and the more we stress about not getting to sleep, the harder it becomes. Certain foods naturally high in the sleep hormone melatonin can help too such as bananas, oranges, pineapples and cherries.

Tryptophan, an essential amino acid needed to make serotonin and melatonin in the brain is another sleep ingredient, with nuts, sesame seeds, tofu, turkey and pumpkin seeds being rich sources.

Finally, instead of relying on sleeping pills or a few glasses of wine to set you on your sleep journey, try herbal teas like chamomile, valerian root, lemon balm the numerous mixed blends widely available.

Rest well. We so deserve it!