Even the best of us have experienced pre-night insomnia: the inability to sleep the night before an important occasion. The “psychophysiological arousal [triggered by a big event]” says Dr. Jade Wu, amplifies already present issues with falling asleep— which then frustrates a person further. Compounding anxiety and frustration leads to overthinking. Even if the event is a joyous one, the body is plunged into fight or flight when faced with anxieties and irrational worries, keeping you more alert than drowsy. It’s not hopeless, though! This article on wellandgood.com about why you can’t sleep before big events compiles five methods of combating pre-event insomnia. Read more here.