In my dream world I’d be a morning person who wakes up at 5:00 A.M. with a matcha latte in one hand and a lemon water in the other, about to check a gym or yoga session off my list. The real me feels like I’ve been hit by a truck when my alarm goes off, and I have to fight an inner battle to get up out of bed.

It seems silly for someone to say they’re terrible at sleep, but every night I face the uncertainty of not knowing how long it will take me to fall into a slumber or if I’ll even doze off at all. I’ve tried everything short of a prescription at the recommendation of doctors, friends, and—of course—Instagram: no electronics before bed, no napping, yoga, reading, meditation, tea, melatonin, magnesium, essential oils, ear plugs, a sleep app that tracks your sleep and wakes you up at the best time, an eye mask, and even a new mattress.

It’s not that they’re all entirely worthless. Most of the time any combination of these methods do help me fall asleep faster and stay asleep, but some nights I’m so lazy I don’t feel like getting up to take my magnesium supplement or plug in my diffuser. The one thing I can always muster up the energy to do, however, is pick up my bottle of This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray and spritz a few drops on my pillow and all over my bed.

I first heard about it a year ago during a work event and was immediately drawn to it because of how simple it sounded. It wasn’t a concoction I had to pre-make, a pill I had to swallow, or anything I had to assemble or put thought into. I literally just had to pick it up. So I took home a bottle and made note to try out the next time I was tossing and turning in bed. Spoiler: They didn’t overhype this spray. After my first time using it, I fell asleep quickly and woke up the next morning pleasantly surprised at how refreshed I felt.

The spray contains a blend of lavender, vetiver, and camomile and smells like a warm, soothing, calming hug. Lest that sounds like B.S., there are actually studies that show both lavender and camomile are scientifically proven to aid with insomnia. The fact that it takes almost no effort to use before bedtime makes it a no-brainer in my routine. The bottle never leaves my bedside, and the use of scent to aid in sleep is one of the most effective methods I’ve personally tried. Even though it’s not always a guarantee, I find that I’m able to knock out faster and stay asleep longer than when I don’t use it, and my sleep quality is noticeably better.

Also, because it’s relatively affordable (only $29) and under 3 fluid ounces, I can take it with me whenever I travel—which is especially key when it’s for work and there’s a time difference. Case in point: When I traveled to Paris for Fashion Week last September, it helped me wind down after 15-hour days of shows, showroom appointments, and meetings.

I might never be that girl up and ready to go at dawn, but at least I feel functional by the time I roll into the office. And that seems like a win enough.

This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray, $29, dermstore.com

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