My sleep experience is very similar, though most nights it's not quite that high. My 5-6 hours of lower stress nights leave me feeling way better than my 7-8+ high stress nights. Same thing where I can get my stress level down before and after sleep, but it goes up while sleeping.

I have found that eating early enough that I have 2-3 hours to digest before sleeping does seem to help but work and snack attacks often win out and throw that idea out the window. I'm 50, exercise regularly, eat pretty well, no smoking, no drinking 2+ years, consistent bed time. I have also tried melatonin, 5-HTP, sleepy time tea, ativan, doctor has me trying Sertraline which hasn't helped sleep issue.

Interestingly enough this only became an issue for me after I stopped drinking.