To the best of my knowledge benzos slow down your nervous system so you calm down. In higher doses they are used for sedation. They are very addicting and hard on your liver, so you don't want to be taking them consistently for an extended period of time.

Ativan didn't help me very much. I only got minor relief. The only effect it had on my sleep was that I woke up less when I slept, waking up 2 or 3 times instead of 4 or 5.