If you’re struggling to get quality sleep, the problem may begin long before your head hits the pillow.
“Sleep readiness” refers to the mental calm, physical relaxation, and healthy evening habits that prepare your body and mind for restful sleep. It’s the foundation for a good night’s rest — the hour or two before bedtime when your mind slows down, your body relaxes, and your brain recognizes that it’s time to sleep.
A recent Viactiv survey* of 2,000 U.S. women found that many are unintentionally making it harder to feel ready for sleep. The biggest barrier? A racing mind. More than four in ten women (43%) said stress, mental overstimulation, or an inability to stop thinking is what most often prevents them from feeling ready for sleep at night. Another 28% reported feeling physically tense and struggling to relax their bodies before bed.
While many women recognize the need to unwind, their bedtime habits often suggest otherwise. The survey found that 61.3% watch television before bed, 48.3% spend time scrolling on their phones or tablets. Meanwhile, far fewer engage in calming activities that support sleep readiness — only 11.6% practice breathing exercises, meditation, or mindfulness, and just 8.8% stretch or do light exercise before bed.
Simple Ways to Set Yourself Up for Better Sleep
• Create a screen curfew. Even 30 minutes away from screens before bed can help your brain shift from stimulation to relaxation. This includes TVs, tablets, and phones.
• Release physical tension. A warm shower, light stretching, or a short evening walk can help your body transition into rest mode.
• Read something light. Choose a novel or magazine to help redirect your mind away from stress and worries. Opt for a traditional paperback to avoid additional screen exposure.
• Avoid heavy meals before bed. Try to avoid eating large or heavy meals at least 2–3 hours before bedtime.
• Support your wind-down routine. Only 18% of women surveyed currently take a sleep-supporting supplement before bed. Magnesium glycinate supports muscle relaxation and the body’s natural wind-down process. Viactiv High Absorption Magnesium Glycinate Powder delivers 200 mg per teaspoon in a sugar-free peach flavor, making it an easy addition to your evening routine.
Swap Your Post-Dinner Dessert with a Wind-Down Smoothie
Try this Peach-Pineapple Evening Smoothie as a treat instead of snacking.
In a blender, combine:
o 1 teaspoon Viactiv High Absorption Magnesium Glycinate Powder
o 1/2 cup low-fat Greek yogurt
o 1/4 cup natural pineapple juice
o 1/2 cup ice
o Add a few frozen peach slices if desired
Blend until smooth and enjoy after dinner as part of your wind-down ritual.
The Bottom Line for Bedtime
Good sleep doesn't start at bedtime. It starts with the choices you make beforehand. If your mind is racing, you're glued to a screen, or your body feels tense, small changes to your evening routine may help you feel more prepared for a restful night. Being consistent with better sleep prep can help improve sleep over time.
Sources
· Survey Methodology: Doctor’s Best commissioned Atomik Research on behalf of its Viactiv brand to conduct an online survey of 2,000 women age 18 and over throughout the United States. The margin of error is +/- 2 percentage points with a confidence level of 95 percent. Fieldwork took place between April 21 and April 23, 2026. Atomik Research, part of 4media group, is a creative market research agency.
· National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements – Magnesium Fact Sheet: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/
· WebMD Sleep Hygiene Recommendations: What Is Sleep Hygiene?
· Cleveland Clinic – Sleep Hygiene Tips: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/sleep-hygiene
