Understanding the Different Stages of Sleep
Sleep is an important part of life and one that has been studied for centuries. Have you ever heard of the stages of sleep? Each stage of sleep is an important part of the cycle and each helps your body and brain to stay rested and healthy. Knowing what happens during these different stages of sleep can help you get more restful sleep and to understand why you feel more rested after certain types of sleep than after others.
The two major stages of sleep occur throughout the night. The first is non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM) and the second is rapid eye movement sleep (REM). NREM consists of four stages of sleep while REM consists of only one stage. Together these two stages can help you rember and learn better and help you wake up feeling more refreshed.
Understanding these two stages can help you to figure out what type of sleep you need to be getting in order to stay healthy and rested. Understanding the difference between REM and NREM can also help you recognize warning signs of possible diseases and help you make positive changes.
Stage 1: Non-REM Sleep
The first stage of non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM) is the lightest stage of sleep and it usually lasts for about five to ten minutes. During this stage, your body starts to relax and your heart rate and breathing slow down. Your muscles also begin to relax as your body shifts into sleep mode.
At this point, your body is still partially alert and you can be easily awakened. Your body temperature starts to drop and your eyes slowly roll back. During this stage, you may experience hypnic jerks, which are sudden movements that can cause you to wake up abruptly.
Stage 2: Non-REM Sleep
Stage two of non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM) is the stage your body spends most of its time in. This light sleep stage usually lasts for about 20 minutes and is marked by your body temperature and heart rate dropping even more. This is a relatively quiet stage and it is difficult to be awakened from it.
During this stage, your body starts to produce rhythmic brain wave patterns. This helps increase your brain’s ability to learn and remember things for later recall. At the end of this stage, your body begins to shut down fully and prepare for the deeper stages of sleep.
Stage two sleep is also a restorative stage. Hormone production increases and your body begins to repair and restore itself. Your heart rate and respiration begin to slow in preparation for deeper sleep.
Stage 3: Non-REM Sleep
Stage three of non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM) is the deepest stage of sleep. Your body spends the most time in this stage which typically lasts for around 20 to 30 minutes. At this point, your body is in a deep state of relaxation and it is difficult to be awakened.
Your body temperature begins to drop even further and your heart rate and respiration slow to the lowest levels of the entire sleep cycle. Your brain begins to produce delta waves which help you to stay in a deep sleep and restore your mind and body.
Stage 4: Non-REM Sleep
Stage four of non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM) is known as the “REM” sleep. This stage usually lasts for about five to fifteen minutes and it is the most restorative stage of the entire sleep cycle. Your body temperature drops and your heart rate and respiration slow down even further.
During this stage, your brain becomes more active and you may experience vivid dreams. This is also when your body produces most of the hormones necessary for proper growth and repair. At the end of this stage, your body begins to transition back to a lighter sleep stage as the entire cycle starts over.
Benefits of Understanding Different Stages of Sleep
- Helps you understand why you feel more rested after certain types of sleep than after others
- Recognize warning signs of possible diseases
- Get more restful sleep
- Increase your brain’s ability to learn and remember
- Help your body repair and restore itself
Conclusion
Understanding the different stages of sleep can help you get more restful and productive sleep and to take notice of any potential health problems that might arise. Knowing what happens during each stage of sleep can also help you make positive changes in order to get the most out of your restful night’s sleep.