I must have noise to go along with going to sleep. Usually thats an audio book or long-form video essay type YouTube videos. I wear one earbud to bed if I’m sleeping at night with my girlfriend or just blare it from the TV if I’m sleeping alone during the day (rotating shift). I feel like when I don’t have engaging audio and I’m trying to sleep I can’t quiet my mind enough to sleep. A fan or random ambient noise isn’t enough for me.
Hell, I plan for the week, even. I’m the kind of person who doesn’t tend to write things down so it helps me organize my thoughts. I used to do it with homework assignments but now it’s like “kid needs to see her speech therapist on Thursday.”
If it helps, I recall reading something that suggested that even if you’re not asleep, laying there with your eyes closed will still help you feel somewhat rested. But, admittedly, knowing I have to get up at 6am or something still sucks regardless.