• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
methodshop

methodshop

tech news, reviews & how to's

  • Top Stories
  • Latest
  • Fun
  • Life
  • Learn

Home : Health & Science : Everything You Need To Know About Your Sleep Cycle

Sleeping Woman
C_Scott

Everything You Need To Know About Your Sleep Cycle

We're all familiar with the importance of sleep. But most people don't know about the different stages of sleep in our sleep cycle or understand the benefits of sleep.

October 8, 2018 by jayfrankwilson
FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Sleep Cycle Phases: REM Sleep & NREM Sleep
  • The Stages Of Sleep In Your Sleep Cycle
  • NREM. REM. Repeat.
  • What Happens When You Sleep?

Do you ever wish there were more hours in the day? Of course, we all do. Our busy lifestyles push us to use every minute of the day. But what if we didn’t sleep? In fact, a major portion of our lives, about 25 years, is spent sleeping. So what if you could get some of that time back? Just imagine all the things you could do with a shorter sleep cycle. You could read inspirational books, learn a new language, fantasize about dream warriors, or even get a second job.

Sadly, not sleeping isn’t an option. Lack of sleep, or worse, permanent insomnia, can result in severe health issues (oversleeping too). Unless you are part of the rare sleepless elite, most adults need at least 7 to 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night.

How much do you really know about your own sleep cycle? We’re all familiar with the importance of sleep. But most people don’t know about the different stages of sleep in our sleep cycle or understand the benefits of sleep.

Sleep Cycle Phases: REM Sleep & NREM Sleep

Woman In Rem Sleep Stage Of Her Sleep Cycle Dreaming About A Unicorn
Free-Photos, vane, Clker

Our sleep cycle consists of two major periods, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. About 75-80% is NREM sleep during which the ability to form declarative memories is badly affected. It is very essential because the phase helps in increased growth hormone release, which is required for cell growth and repair.

The exact purpose of REM sleep is still very unclear but the effects are definitely less severe compared to NREM sleep. Even though we dream during both the phases, REM cycle dreams are most vivid and is a safe place where we can face emotions that aren’t usually encountered in everyday life.

The Stages Of Sleep In Your Sleep Cycle

Understanding the difference between REM sleep and NREM sleep is important. But there’s another categorization that divides sleep into five different stages. These five stages of sleep are very distinct from one another.

  • Stage 1 Sleep: In this drowsy stage, your eyelids start getting heavy and head drops but your brain is still very active, so you wake up even at the slightest noise. If you’ve ever dozed off while watching TV and missed a few minutes of your favorite show, then you know Stage 1 Sleep very well (1 – 7 minutes).
  • Stage 2 Sleep: Your brain activity is a lot slower right now. In this stage, your eyes stop moving and the brain starts slowing down (10 – 25 minutes).
  • Stage 3 Sleep: The EEG reveals that the brain is still producing delta waves occasionally but that they very small. This stage is often called the moderate sleep phase (20 – 40 minutes).
  • Stage 4 Sleep: This stage is the deep sleep stage. Someone in the middle of stage 4 sleep is very hard to wake up. The brain continues producing delta waves and stage 4 sleepers usually have completely relaxed muscles, slower rhythmic breathing and may snore. Waking someone up during stage 4 sleep will result in them feeling disoriented for a few minutes. If you’ve ever woken someone up while they were snoring, then you know this all too well (20 – 40 minutes).
  • Stage 5 Sleep (REM Sleep): In this stage, you start dreaming and brain electrical activity is elevated. Body muscles are paralyzed temporarily and eye movement increases, which gives the stage its name – rapid eye movement (REM) sleep (10 – 60 minutes).

NREM. REM. Repeat.

What’s even more incredible is that these five stages of sleep repeat themselves. In the first few cycles, REM sleep (stage 5) is shorter while deep sleep (stage 4) is longer. In later cycles, REM sleep is longer while the NREM sleep (stages 1-4) are shorter.

What Happens When You Sleep?

Yes, a lot happens when you are asleep. Your sleep cycle is complex. But thankfully, you don’t have to worry about it unless you have a sleeping disorder. Are you a member of the sleepless elite? Or do you have trouble sleeping? Let us know in the comments below.

Everything You Need To Know About Your Sleep Cycle … #SleepCycle #SleepProblems #CantSleep #SoTired #REMsleep #NREMsleep #StagesOfSleep #SleeplessElite #SleepBetter #Insomnia #ShortSleeper #BenefitsOfSleep
Click To Tweet

Related Articles:

  • Serious Health Problems Caused By Lack of Sleep
  • Are You Just Sleep-Deprived Or A Member Of The Sleepless Elite?
  • Famous People Who Are Members Of The Sleepless Elite
  • Orchestra Wakes Up Woman Who Fell Asleep At Their Concert
Young Woman Smiling While Doing Yoga

Sleepless Elite Test: Are You A Short Sleeper Or Just Sleep-Deprived?

Sleepless Teddy Bear

20 Famous People Who Are Members Of The Sleepless Elite

Sleepwalker

4 Serious Health Problems Caused By Lack of Sleep

Related Posts:

  • Everything you need to know about Apple's iPod Update 3.0.1
    Everything you need to know about Apple's iPod Update 3.0.1
  • Everything You Need To Know About The JL421 Badonkadonk Land Cruiser Tank
    Everything You Need To Know About The JL421 Badonkadonk Land…
  • Boxing Day Explained: Everything You Need To Know About This Confusing Holiday
    Boxing Day Explained: Everything You Need To Know About This…



FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn
Category: Health & Science Tag: dream, education, EEG, insomnia, NREM, REM, Sleep, Sleepless Elite
Previous Post: « Man Watching A Roku Connected TV Device The Golden Age Of Streaming: So Many Shows, So Little Time
Next Post: Upcycle Old Credit Cards Into Collar Stays With the Pick Punch Collar Stay Punch Pick Punch Collar Stay Punch »

Sidebar

Trending Now

  • How To Download Discontinued iPod Click Wheel GamesHow To Download Discontinued iPod Click Wheel Games
  • Top 25 Better Off Dead Movie Quotes - How Many Better Off Dead Quotes Do You Remember?Top 25 Better Off Dead Movie Quotes – How Many Better Off Dead Quotes Do You…
  • The 30 Best Caddyshack Quotes That'll Make You LaughThe 30 Best Caddyshack Quotes That’ll Make You Laugh
  • GoPro Falls Into Pit Of Rattlesnakes - Watch The Owner Bravely Recover ItGoPro Falls Into Pit Of Rattlesnakes – Watch The Owner Bravely Recover It
  • Eero Troubleshooting Issues Solved: Why Won't My Eero Router Connect To My Older Devices?Eero Troubleshooting Issues Solved: Why Won’t My Eero Router Connect To My…
  • 7 Pictures Of Naked People Captured By Google's Cameras7 Pictures Of Naked People Captured By Google’s Cameras
  • 20 Famous People Who Are Members Of The Sleepless Elite20 Famous People Who Are Members Of The Sleepless Elite
  • How To Remove Bad Reviews From Google My Business: 8 Useful TipsHow To Remove Bad Reviews From Google My Business: 8 Useful Tips
  • Vote For The Best Office Space Stapler GIFVote For The Best Office Space Stapler GIF
  • So, Adobe Won't Let You Photoshop Money Unless You Do This...So, Adobe Won’t Let You Photoshop Money Unless You Do This…

Categories

About

MethodShop’s mission is to entertain, inform, and sometimes gross you out. MethodShop has affiliate relationships, so we may get a small share of the revenue from your purchases. Items are sold by the retailer, not by us. All prices are subject to change.

Latest

Alexa Music

15 Essential Music Commands For Amazon Alexa

Helpful Tips For Anyone Selling A Luxury Home

8 Essential Tips For Anyone Selling A Luxury Home

Follow

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
MethodShop Animated Zoom Icon
  • About
  • Submit
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Store

Copyright © 2022 MethodShop · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding Inc.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT