How long before bed should I start a sleep meditation?

15 to 30 minutes before you want to be asleep. This gives your nervous system time to shift from alertness to sleep-readiness. Starting a 10-minute meditation the moment your head hits the pillow is too late — your brain is still in doing mode. Think of it as a runway, not a switch. Some people benefit from a longer wind-down: dimming lights 30 minutes before bed, then starting a meditation 15 minutes before sleep. Experiment with timing. The goal is finding what makes the transition feel gradual rather than forced.