“Stand up straight,” my mom used to say to me when I was a surly teenager.

I grew to hate those words. I tried to stand up straight, but after about 48 seconds, my body returned to its slumped, rounded shoulder posture.

It was so difficult for me to hold any other position.

Our bodies and brains thrive on predictability. It is human to want to know what is coming next. When we follow the same patterns and routines before we sleep night after night, we send powerful signals to our nervous system that it's time to wind down. Our brains and bodies start to prepare for sleep, improving the possibility of healthy, restful sleep. This isn't just folk wisdom—it's backed by science.