Cedarwood Sleep: The Essential, Genius Trick
Cedarwood sleep is a simple, natural method of using the calming aroma of cedarwood to promote relaxation and deeper rest. By placing cedar blocks or sachets near your bed, you can create a soothing environment that helps quiet your mind, reduce anxiety, and improve your overall sleep quality without any complex setup.
Do you ever lie in bed with your mind racing? Tossing and turning, you just want to find that “off” switch for your brain. Many of us struggle with getting a good night’s sleep. It can feel so frustrating. What if I told you there’s a simple, natural trick that woodworkers have known about for ages? It comes from a beautiful, fragrant wood: cedar. This trick is easy, affordable, and can help you create a peaceful space for rest. Let’s explore how you can use cedarwood to help you sleep better tonight.
Welcome, friend! I’m Md Meraj, and in my workshop, I’ve spent countless hours with all kinds of wood. One of my favorites has always been cedar. The smell is just incredible—it’s clean, earthy, and instantly calming. But this amazing wood does more than just smell good. It holds a secret to better sleep, and I’m excited to share this simple trick with you. You don’t need any fancy tools or skills. You just need a little bit of nature’s best sleep aid.
Why Cedarwood is Your Secret Weapon for a Good Night’s Sleep
You might wonder, “How can a piece of wood help me sleep?” It sounds almost too simple to be true, but the magic is in its aroma. The scent of cedarwood comes from its natural oils. One of the key components in these oils is called cedrol.
Think about how certain smells can change your mood. The smell of freshly baked bread can make you feel cozy. The scent of rain on a hot day can feel refreshing. Cedarwood works in a similar way. When you breathe in its gentle aroma, it has a calming effect on your nervous system.
Scientific studies have shown that cedrol can help reduce stress and anxiety. According to research referenced by institutions like the National Institutes of Health, inhaling cedrol can decrease your heart rate and blood pressure, which are key parts of getting your body ready for sleep. It’s like a natural signal to your mind and body that it’s time to unwind and rest. This is why cedarwood sleep is more than just a pleasant smell; it’s a gentle, natural way to prepare for a truly restorative night.
Choosing the Right Cedar for Your Bedroom
Not all cedar is created equal, especially when it comes to that wonderful, sleep-inducing scent. When you go to a home improvement store or look online, you’ll see a few different types. For our sleep project, the aroma is the most important factor. Let’s look at the most common types you’ll find.
Eastern Red Cedar (Aromatic Cedar)
This is the superstar for our purpose. Eastern Red Cedar is famous for its strong, pleasant scent. It’s the same wood often used in closets and cedar chests to keep moths away and clothes smelling fresh. Its high oil content means the scent is powerful and long-lasting, making it perfect for your bedroom.
Western Red Cedar
This type of cedar is very popular for outdoor projects like fences and decks because it’s great at resisting rot and insects. While it has a nice, woodsy smell, it’s generally milder than Eastern Red Cedar. It can still work, but you might find its aroma isn’t quite as strong for promoting sleep.
Here’s a simple table to help you compare:
| Cedar Type | Aroma Strength | Best Use for Sleep | Common Forms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Red Cedar | High | Excellent. The high oil content provides a strong, lasting, calming scent. | Blocks, shavings, balls, hangers |
| Western Red Cedar | Medium to Low | Good. The scent is pleasant but much milder and may not be as effective. | Planks, shavings, outdoor lumber |
| Atlantic White Cedar | Low | Not ideal. It has a very faint scent compared to its red cousins. | Lumber, shingles |
My recommendation? Stick with Eastern Red Cedar, also called Aromatic Cedar. It’s the easiest to find in forms like blocks, chips, or shavings, and it will give you the best results for your cedarwood sleep project.
The Genius Trick: Creating Your Own Cedarwood Sleep Sachets
Okay, here’s the fun part! We’re going to make something simple and effective: cedarwood sleep sachets. These are small cloth bags filled with cedar shavings. You can place them by your bed to let the gentle aroma work its magic all night long. This is a perfect beginner project—no power tools, no complicated steps. Just a few minutes of your time for a whole lot of restful nights.
What You’ll Need: The Tool & Materials List
You can find these items easily at a craft store, home improvement store, or online. Keep it simple!
- Cedar Shavings or Chips: Look for 100% natural Eastern Red Cedar shavings. These are sometimes sold as pet bedding (make sure it’s just cedar, with no additives) or in bags for closets.
- Small Bags: You’ll need bags made of a breathable fabric like cotton, muslin, or linen. Small drawstring bags work perfectly. You can usually buy them in packs of 10 or 20.
- A Spoon or Small Scoop: This will help you fill the bags without making a mess.
- (Optional) Dried Lavender or Chamomile Flowers: If you want to boost the relaxing effect, you can mix in a small amount of these herbs. Both are well-known for their calming properties.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Your Path to Better Sleep
Ready? Let’s walk through this together. It’s as easy as making a cup of tea.
- Gather Your Materials: Lay everything out on a clean surface. Open your bag of cedar shavings and your pack of small cloth bags. Having everything in one place makes the process smooth and enjoyable.
- Prepare Your Mix (If Adding Herbs): If you’re using optional herbs like lavender, pour some cedar shavings into a bowl. Add a small amount of the dried flowers—a little goes a long way. A ratio of about four parts cedar to one part herbs is a great starting point. Gently mix them together with your hands or a spoon.
- Fill Your Sachet Bags: Hold a cloth bag open and use your spoon or scoop to fill it with the cedar shavings (or your cedar-herb mix). Don’t pack it too tightly! You want air to be able to flow through the material, releasing the scent. Fill the bag about three-quarters full.
- Secure the Bags: Pull the drawstrings tight to close the bag. If your bags don’t have drawstrings, you can tie them shut with a small piece of twine or ribbon. Give the bag a gentle squeeze to help release some of that wonderful aroma. That’s it! You’ve just made your first cedarwood sleep sachet.
- Place Your Sachets for Maximum Effect: The key is to place them where you can breathe in the scent as you drift off to sleep.
Tuck one inside your pillowcase.
Place one on your nightstand, right next to your pillow.
Put a few in your nightstand drawer, so you get a pleasant whiff when you open it.
You can make several sachets at once. Keep a few for yourself and give some to friends or family who could also use a better night’s sleep. It’s a thoughtful, handmade gift that’s genuinely useful.
Beyond Sachets: Other Simple Ways to Use Cedarwood for Sleep
Sachets are fantastic, but they aren’t the only way to bring the calming scent of cedar into your bedroom. Here are a few other incredibly simple methods you can try. Mix and match to see what works best for you!
- Cedar Blocks in Your Nightstand: This is the easiest method of all. Simply buy a few small blocks of aromatic cedar wood and place them in your nightstand drawer or on the shelf. The warmth of the enclosed space can help release the scent each time you open it.
- Cedar Hangers in Your Closet: Swap out a few of your regular hangers for cedar hangers. While they’re great for protecting your clothes, they also fill your closet with that calming scent. If your closet is near your bed, the aroma can gently waft into your room.
- A Cedar Plank Under the Bed: For a more widespread, subtle scent, you can place a simple, unfinished cedar plank under your bed. The large surface area will slowly release the aroma into the room. You can find these at most home improvement stores. The U.S. Forest Service provides great information on different wood species, including cedar, so you can learn more about its properties.
- Using Cedarwood Essential Oil (With Caution): You can also use cedarwood essential oil in a diffuser. Just add a few drops to water and let the diffuser run for 30-60 minutes before you go to bed. A word of caution: always use 100% pure essential oil, never apply it directly to your skin without a carrier oil, and make sure the room is well-ventilated. This is a great option if you prefer a stronger, more immediate aroma.
Keeping Your Cedar Fresh: How to Refresh the Scent
Over time, you might notice the wonderful smell of your cedar sachets or blocks starting to fade. Don’t worry, that’s completely normal! The oils on the surface of the wood have simply evaporated. The good news is that the scent is still locked inside, and it’s very easy to refresh it.
Here’s how you can bring that beautiful aroma back to life:
- Lightly Sand the Wood: For cedar blocks, planks, or balls, all you need is a small piece of fine-grit sandpaper (around 220-grit is perfect). Gently rub the surface of the wood. This removes the very top layer and exposes fresh, oil-rich wood underneath. You’ll smell the difference immediately!
- Give Your Sachets a Squeeze: For your sachets filled with shavings, simply give them a few firm squeezes or roll them between your hands. This breaks up the shavings a bit and releases a fresh burst of scent.
- Add a Drop of Essential Oil: If the scent is very faint, you can give it a little boost. Add one or two drops of cedarwood essential oil directly onto your cedar blocks or onto the shavings inside your sachet. Let it soak in before placing it back near your bed. A little goes a long way here!
By refreshing your cedar every month or two, you can keep it working effectively for years. It’s a sustainable and cost-effective way to maintain your peaceful sleep environment.
To give you a balanced view, here are the pros and cons of using this natural method.
| Pros of Cedarwood Sleep | Cons of Cedarwood Sleep |
|---|---|
| 100% Natural & Chemical-Free: You’re using a real, unprocessed wood, not synthetic fragrances. | Potential for Allergies: Some people with wood or pollen allergies might be sensitive to cedar. |
| Very Affordable: Cedar shavings and blocks are inexpensive and last for a very long time. | Scent Fades Over Time: The aroma will diminish and requires occasional refreshing (light sanding). |
| Easy to Use & Maintain: There’s no complex setup. Just place it and enjoy. | Scent Strength Varies: The intensity of the smell can depend on the type and age of the wood. |
| Subtle and Gentle Aroma: The scent is not overwhelming like some artificial air fresheners. | Not a Cure for Insomnia: It’s a sleep aid, not a medical treatment for serious sleep disorders. |
Safety First: Using Cedarwood Wisely in Your Home
One of the best things about this cedarwood trick is how safe and natural it is. However, like with anything new you bring into your home, it’s always smart to be mindful. Here are a few simple safety tips to keep in mind.
- Check for Allergies: Cedar allergies are not common, but they do exist. If you have known sensitivities to trees, pollen, or strong scents, it’s a good idea to start small. Place one sachet in a room for a short time and see how you feel before putting it right next to your pillow all night.
- Keep Away from Pets (Especially Small Ones): While the scent of cedar is generally safe for dogs, some smaller pets like cats, birds, and rodents can be sensitive to the strong aromatic oils (phenols) in the wood. It’s best to keep cedar blocks and sachets out of their reach and to avoid using cedar shavings as bedding for these small animals unless the product is specifically marked as safe for them. The ASPCA is a great resource for information on pet safety.
- Essential Oil Safety: If you choose to use cedarwood essential oil, remember to use it responsibly. Never apply it directly to your skin without diluting it in a carrier oil like jojoba or coconut oil. Never ingest it. When using a diffuser, ensure the room has good ventilation, and don’t run it all night long, especially if you have pets or children in the room.
Following these simple guidelines will ensure that your journey to better sleep with cedarwood is a safe, positive, and relaxing one.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cedarwood and Sleep
Is cedarwood actually proven to help with sleep?
Yes, in a gentle, natural way. The key component, cedrol, found in cedarwood oil has been studied for its sedative effects. It helps calm the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and lower heart rate, all of which contribute to a state of relaxation that is ideal for falling asleep.
How long does the scent of cedar last?
The scent can last for several months to a year or more. When you notice it fading, you can easily refresh it by lightly sanding the wood or giving sachets a squeeze. This exposes a new layer of wood and releases the fragrant oils again.
Can I use cedarwood essential oil instead of the wood itself?
Absolutely! Using a few drops of cedarwood essential oil in a diffuser about 30-60 minutes before bedtime is a great alternative. It provides a more immediate and potent aroma. Just be sure to use it safely and in a well-ventilated room.
What type of cedar is best for sleep?
Eastern Red Cedar, also known as Aromatic Cedar, is the best choice. It has the highest concentration of the fragrant oils that produce the calming scent, making it more effective than other types like Western Red Cedar.
Will cedarwood cure my insomnia?
Cedarwood is a wonderful natural sleep aid, but it is not a medical cure for chronic insomnia or other serious sleep disorders. It is a tool to help create a relaxing environment and promote calm. If you have severe sleep issues, it is always best to consult with a doctor.
Where is the best place to put cedar for sleep?
Place it close to where you sleep so you can easily inhale the aroma. Tucking a sachet in your pillowcase, placing blocks on your nightstand, or even putting a sachet on the floor right by your side of the bed are all great options.
Is the smell of cedarwood overwhelming?
No, the natural scent of cedarwood is typically quite subtle and earthy. It’s not overpowering like synthetic air fresheners or strong perfumes. Most people find it to be a very pleasant and grounding aroma that helps them feel closer to nature.
Your Next Step to Restful Nights
And there you have it—the simple, genius trick to a better night’s sleep. It doesn’t involve expensive gadgets or complicated routines. It’s just about tapping into the natural, calming power of wood. By creating a few simple cedar sachets or placing some cedar blocks in your room, you’re not just adding a pleasant scent; you’re creating a small sanctuary for rest.
This is what I love about working with my hands and with natural materials. The solutions are often simple, honest, and effective. You’ve now learned everything you need to know to try cedarwood sleep for yourself. I encourage you to give this easy project a try. It’s a small step that can make a big difference in how you feel each morning.
So, head to the store, grab some cedar, and spend a few quiet moments putting together your new sleep aid. Here’s to deeper breaths, calmer nights, and waking up feeling truly refreshed. Sweet dreams!
