Who doesn't love a good night's sleep? When you get your recommended dose of z's, you wake up feeling rested and ready to face the new day. But oftentimes getting those elusive hours of peace is easier said than done, especially if you're a light sleeper.

The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults get seven to nine hours of sleep each night – no easy feat for the busy average American. To accomplish this in a natural way, many people turn to sleep masks, an aid that can improve your quality of life in a number of ways, including the following three benefits:

1. Improves sleep
The first sleep mask benefit is the most common reason for using this kind of tool: they block out light during the night so you can fall asleep. Whether you're trying to catch a few z's on a red-eye flight or share a bedroom with someone who likes to stay up late reading with the lamp on, this aid shields your eyes from light and other distractions, helping you drift off as quickly as possible.

Keep in mind that getting enough sleep isn't just about kicking your caffeine addiction or avoiding an afternoon energy slump – it's important for your health. According to the National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute, this element of self-care is essential for both your mental and physical wellbeing. Sleep deprivation has even been linked to increased risk of obesity, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes and other troubling health conditions.  

2. Encourages relaxation
The stress of the day doesn't disappear when the sun sets. Sometimes when you are finally able to change into something comfortable and get in bed, your mind may not be able to shut off, leaving you wide awake and staring at the ceiling for hours on end. However, a sleep mask may help by promoting relaxation, helping you drift off to sleep. Some of these aids provide gentle pressure around your eyes, which many people find soothing.  

The best sleep masks also offer extra benefits to encourage stress relief. For example, the IMAK® Compression Eye Pillow even has ergoBeads inside that help you relax through a gentle massaging effect around your eyes. 

3. Provides pain relief
At times it may not be distractions or even stress keeping you awake – it may be pain. This is particularly common if you suffer from regular headaches or migraines.A sleep mask can help block out the light that may irritate your condition, helping to minimize the symptoms.

Some masks can even be placed in the freezer, allowing you to enjoy the gentle relief created by the cool material, similar to the way you might use a cold compress on a sore knee. This can be helpful not only for headaches, but also eye strain, whether it's caused by a long day working at a computer or several hours spent lost in your favorite book.  

If you're ready to experience some of these sleep mask benefits for yourself, consider trying the IMAK® Compression Eye Pillow by Brownmed. Visit your local WalMart to pick one up today.