Psychology says people who can’t go to sleep with dirty dishes in the sink aren’t obsessed with cleanliness: Unfinished tasks often stay mentally active long after they’ve stopped requiring action

Unfinished tasks, such as unwashed dishes, can keep our minds racing and disrupt sleep. Psychology suggests that our brains crave closure more than actual completion of tasks. Jotting down pending chores can provide the mental comfort of resolution, allowing us to move on and relax. This explains why many people tackle small chores before bedtime, in pursuit of that satisfying sense of completion for better rest.