Sleep is an important part of overall health, but sometimes it can be hard to turn your brain off, relax, and get the rest you need. If the rest you're looking for is escaping you, a sleep aid could be a good addition to your evening routine. Learn more about our top five favorite sleep aids on the market to choose which one makes the most sense for your needs. ZzzQuil Pure Zzzs Melatonin Sleep Aid Gummies This lavender and chamomile gummy supplement will help you sleep soundly and wake up without any grogginess. The melatonin is non-habit forming, so you can feel comfortable taking one each night to help regulate your natural sleep cycle. The natural blend features botanical essential oils like lavender, chamomile, lemon balm, and valerian root to further aid in relaxation and sleepiness, while the wildberry vanilla flavor makes the gummies as delicious as they are effective. Pros: Optimal level of melatonin for a full night’s sleep Non-habit forming and drug-free Cons: Serving size is two gummies ValuMeds Nighttime Sleep Aid This sleep aid is made with diphenhydramine to help make you relaxed and ready for bed. Designed to be easy to swallow, the soft gels will help you ease your mind and calm your body as part of your evening routine. They can also cause drowsiness, however, so they should only be taken as directed right at bedtime. Pros: Aids in deep sleep Easy-to-swallow soft gel Cons: Can cause drowsiness Shut Eye Sleep Aid Fall asleep faster and wake up without any grogginess with the help of this natural sleep aid. This formula is all-natural, non-habit forming, and herbal to organically help you get more shut-eye. Crafted by a neurologist and sourced with only the best ingredients, it is safe to take every night to help balance your schedule and prevent exhaustion. Filled with amino acids and a special neurotransmitter, this aid will help you distress and relax to reach the deepest state of sleep. Pros: Vegan and all-natural Naturally sourced ingredients Satisfaction guarantee Cons: Serving size is two capsules Basic Care Sleep Aid Tablets This affordable and effective sleep aid is perfect for all age ranges, starting at 12 and up. The single-dose tablet is easy-to-take and works quickly so that you’ll sleep more to improve your overall mood and health. The main ingredient in the tablet is doxylamine succinate, which helps you relax and encourages sleepiness. This will help you become less irritable, perform at a higher level, and encourage full-body wellness. Pros: Fast-acting and effective Single-dose tablet Clinically proven and tested Cons: 96 tablets per bottle Sleep Fairy Natural Sleep Aid Calmer and more relaxed sleep is only one tablet away. This natural sleep aid was formulated by a neurologist for a blend of natural ingredients that is effective but still safe and gentle for everyday use. Improve your mood and release tension with help from valerian root, chamomile, melatonin, and magnesium and prepare for your best night’s sleep yet. Pros: Helps balance hormones and prevent insomnia Natural blend of ingredients Satisfaction guarantee Cons: Some ingredients like 5HTP and GABA can cause interactions Frequently Asked Questions How do sleep aids work? A lot of over-the-counter sleep aids include antihistamines, which can encourage drowsiness. Antihistamines, however, are known to cause grogginess. Other common sleep aid ingredients include diphenhydramine, doxylamine succinate, and melatonin. These different ingredients can impact your health and sleep in different ways depending on the key active ingredient. Can you take sleep aids every night? Some sleep aids can create dependencies, so it’s important to check with your doctor before adding a supplement to your daily regime. When taken every day, some sleep aids can actually cause the quality of your sleep to worsen as your body becomes accustomed to the effects. How do sleep aids affect the body? Sleep aids work by decreasing brain function and helping the body relax. This encourages sleepiness and helps you rest throughout the night. Users should be careful about frequent or long-term use, as it can decrease peak brain function over time if misused.