Fall asleep faster and sleep better with these 5 brilliant products

A good night's sleep is one of life's essentials. Doctors recommend getting seven to nine hours each night, but statistics show that 40%of American adults sleep less than seven hours.

If you fall into that 40%, there are a number of sleep-better tactics and products that are worth giving a shot. For instance, if your lack of sleep is due to unsettled thoughts keeping you awake, several experts recommend keeping a journal on hand so that you can write out your stressors.

Others recommend investing in a good mattress, since most of us spend about a third of our time in bed. Sleeping on a poorly made mattress can disrupt the blood flow in our bodies, which can reduce the amount of oxygen and nutrients that reaches our skin, leading to discomfort, tossing and turning. Not to mention, if you're sleeping on an inadequate mattress, chances are you're upping your risk of back problems in the future.

There's a host of other reasons you may be having difficulty catching zzz's at night. From light and noise sensitivity to allergies, sleep apnea, wandering thoughts, stress, and otherwise, these problems can be diminished with the right gear on hand (think: masks, scented pillow spray, white noise machine, and more). Keep scrolling for sleep-aid products that may help soothe you into a deep sleep, night after night.

Note: The prices below reflect the listed retailer's price on the date this article was published.

Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress ($1,199; amazon.com)

Consumer Reports rated this mattress as the top choice overall among foam mattresses on the market. CR said this mattress received excellent scores for durability and satisfied sleepers of varying heights and weights. It retains warmth, resists bounciness -- so you won't wake your partner -- and received a firmness rating of 7 out of 10.

Sleep Master Sleep Mask ($25.90; amazon.com)

For those who suffer from light sensitivity, this satin sleep mask is just the thing to help you fall asleep. A top-seller on Amazon (and with a 4-star rating from thousands of satisfied customers), this breathable mask fits comfortably so that you can sleep without having to wake up to adjust it.

This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray ($29; bluemercury.com)

This product, designed to make you "fall asleep faster, naturally, and wake up refreshed," is a pillow spray that's infused with essential oils to help you fall asleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, lavender is proven to decrease heart rate and blood pressure to help lull you into a restful state of slumber. This product combines lavender with vetivert and wild chamomile (two other calming scents) to soothe your body and mind at bedtime.

Marpac Dohm-DS All-Natural White Noise Sound Machine ($49.99; amazon.com)

For light sleepers, even the slightest bit of noise can keep them awake throughout the night. That's why we'd recommend investing in a machine that drowns out unwanted sounds. For instance, there's the Marpac Dohm-DS, a white noise machine, that has multiple sound settings so you can create a relaxing atmosphere. A best-seller on Amazon with thousands of rave reviews, this noisemaker is our top choice for those who need background noise to fall asleep.

GermGuardian AC4825 3-in-1 Air Cleaning System ($85.99; amazon.com)

According to the National Sleep Foundation, 63% of Americans value fresh air that's free of allergens when they sleep. If your bedroom doesn't have crisp, clean air, you may want to invest in an air purifier to help you sleep better. This GermGuardian air purifier is a No. 1 best-seller on Amazon and received over 6,000 reviews with an average 4.5 stars.