Sleep is composed of several stages that occur in recurring cycles throughout the night, each serving a different purpose in the restorative process. Understanding these sleep cycles and how they contribute to overall sleep quality can help you optimize your sleep health and wake up feeling refreshed and energized each morning.
The sleep cycle consists of two main types of sleep: non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. NREM sleep is divided into three stages, with each stage representing a deeper level of sleep characterized by slower brain waves and reduced muscle activity. REM sleep, on the other hand, is the stage associated with vivid dreaming and increased brain activity.
During the night, your body cycles through these stages multiple times, with each cycle lasting approximately 90 minutes. As the night progresses, the proportion of time spent in REM sleep increases, while the amount of time spent in deep NREM sleep decreases.
Optimizing sleep health involves ensuring that you get enough of both REM and NREM sleep and that you cycle through these stages multiple times throughout the night. Prioritizing a consistent sleep schedule, creating a sleep-friendly environment, and practicing relaxation techniques can all help support healthy sleep cycles and improve overall sleep quality.
By understanding the intricacies of sleep cycles and implementing strategies to optimize sleep health, you can enhance the restorative power of sleep and wake up feeling refreshed and revitalized each day.
