Many people think sleep begins the moment they close their eyes. In reality, it often begins with the thoughts they carry into bed.

The evidence

Research shows people with higher optimism are more likely to experience better sleep over time, partly because they are less likely to spend the night rehearsing worst-case scenarios (Tout et al., 2025). The emotional tone you create before bed influences the quality of your rest — and that is something you can gently shape.

This article is for education and general wellbeing. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and does not replace your physician. mindspan is a wellness screen, not a diagnostic test.