If your body feels exhausted but your mind refuses to fully settle at night, you’re not imagining it. What doesn’t help is trying to force sleep the moment your head hits the pillow. Your brain needs a transition period between activity and rest. Without that transition, your nervous system may stay slightly alert—keeping stress hormones elevated even when you’re physically tired. The truth is this: better sleep often begins before you get into bed. Why a Wind-Down Routine Ma