Why I Created Sleepy Head

Sleep wasn’t always something that came naturally to me.

For years in my late 20's, I struggled with social anxiety. Even after the day had finished, my mind often hadn’t. I’d go to bed physically tired but mentally still switched on — replaying conversations, thinking about tomorrow, and feeling like I was permanently stuck in fight or flight mode.

I know now that I wasn’t alone. So many people experience that feeling of wanting to sleep but simply not being able to switch off.

Back then I started exploring more natural ways to unwind. I became fascinated by essential oils and the rituals surrounding them. One oil I kept coming back to was frankincense. I found myself reaching for it in the evenings because there was something grounding about it. It became part of a routine that helped me slow down.

That experience eventually became the beginning of Made by Coopers and later, Sleepy Head.

I didn’t want to create another heavily scented product designed to simply make a room smell nice. I wanted to create something I would genuinely use myself — something that felt like a signal to slow down.

Lavender vs Frankincense for Sleep

When people think of sleep and essential oils, lavender is usually the first thing that comes to mind.

Lavender has become one of the most recognised essential oils associated with relaxation and winding down. It has a soft, familiar scent that many people naturally connect with bedtime rituals.

Frankincense feels different.

For me, frankincense always felt grounding. While lavender can feel calming and gentle, frankincense seemed to help create a sense of stillness. Rather than choosing one over the other, I never felt they needed to compete.

That’s exactly why Sleepy Head combines lavender and frankincense, along with chamomile floral water— because sometimes it’s not about one ingredient, but how they work together to create an evening ritual.

Natural Sleep Support vs Synthetic Fragrance Products

As I learned more about ingredients, I became more conscious of what was actually inside many products marketed for relaxation and sleep.

Many products rely heavily on synthetic fragrances designed to create a scent experience. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a beautiful fragrance, but I wanted something different.

I wanted natural sleep support that focused on essential oils rather than artificial fragrance.

That’s why Sleepy Head is:

• Made using essential oils

• Alcohol-free

• Water-based (spring water and floral waters)

• Designed to be gentle on fabrics

• Created to support a calming bedtime ritual

I wanted every ingredient to feel intentional.

Sleepy Head vs Typical Pillow Sprays

Most pillow sprays are created to quickly fill a room or pillow with scent.

I wanted Sleepy Head to feel different.

Rather than creating something overpowering, I wanted to create a product that became part of a routine.

Spraying your pillow.

Putting your phone down.

Turning off the noise from the day.

Taking a moment for yourself.

Because I’ve realised over time that sleep often starts before your head even touches the pillow.

Sleepy Head isn’t about claiming to "fix" sleep. It’s about creating space to slow down.

Because for me, that’s where better sleep started.

And if it helped me through a time where I constantly felt switched on, I hoped it could help create that same feeling for someone else too.

Can essential oils help sleep naturally?
Many people include essential oils within a calming bedtime routine to help create an environment for relaxation.

What makes Sleepy Head different from other pillow sprays?
Sleepy Head uses essential oils rather than artificial fragrances and was designed as part of a bedtime ritual.

Why use lavender and frankincense together?
Lavender is often associated with relaxation, while frankincense has a grounding aroma that many people enjoy during wind-down routines.