Sleep cycle stages

Sleep is an essential element of our daily lives. It benefits both physical and mental wellness. Sleep is divided into stages, including REM and non-REM sleep. The stages of sleep occur in 90-120-minute periods. During a typical night's sleep, four to five such cycles occur. The stages shift during the night, with an increasing percentage of NREM sleep in the early part of the night and an increased percentage of REM sleep in the second half. This article will go through the different stages of sleep.

Getting to Sleep

You are still awake and attentive during the early stages of sleep. At this time, the brain creates beta waves, which are short and quick brainwaves that indicate the brain is busy and engaged. As the brain begins to ease and calm down, alpha waves appear. You may have unusual and vivid feelings during this changeover into deep sleep, which is known as hypnagogic illusions. The sense of falling or hearing someone shouts your name are two common examples of this phenomenon.

The Stages of Sleep

•    Non-REM sleep occurs initially and is divided into three phases. When you are in the last stage of non-REM sleep, you are sleeping profoundly. It's difficult to awaken from this stage of sleep.
•    REM sleep occurs between an hour and one and half hour after falling asleep. REM sleep is characterized by vivid dreams.

What Takes Place During Non-REM Sleep?

Non-REM sleep is divided into three stages. Each stage might last between 5 and 15 minutes.
3 phases of Non-Rem sleep
First stage:
Your eyes are closed, yet it's simple to startle you awake. This stage might last 5 to 10 minutes.
Second Stage:
You're sleeping lightly. Your body temperature reduces and your heart rate decreases. Your body is preparing for deep sleep. This might take anything from ten to twenty-five minutes.
Third stage:
This is the stage of profound sleep. It is more difficult to rouse you during this period, and if you are woken up, you will be disoriented for a few minutes. During the deep periods of NREM sleep, the body heals and regenerates tissues, creates bone and muscle, and boosts the immune system.

REM Sleep

Your voluntary muscles become paralysed as your brain is engaged with mental processes during REM sleep, the fourth sleep stage. At this stage, your brain's activity most closely mimics that of an awake person. Your body is momentarily stunned, which is a good thing since it stops you from acting out your fantasies. You will enter REM sleep around 90 minutes after falling asleep. As you become older, at the moment:
•    Your brain is buzzing with activity.
•    Your body is tense and immobile.
•    Your breathing is becoming more rapid and erratic.
•    Your eyes are moving quickly.
•    You have a vision.

Memory consolidation occurs during REM sleep, just as it does during stage 3. REM sleep, on the other hand, is regarded as the time when thoughts and emotional experiences are processed and stored. This period is also used by your brain to solidify knowledge into memory, making it a critical step for learning. Aging is also associated with shorter sleep durations, but studies show that you still require the same amount of sleep as when you were younger.

What occurs in the brain when you sleep?

Sleep and its effects on humans are still being studied by researchers. While we've learned a lot about sleep, there's still a lot we don't know. We know that brain chemicals play an important role in our sleep cycle. Neurotransmitters are molecules that allow nerves to communicate with one another. They regulate whether we are awake or asleep based on which neurons (nerve cells) they operate on:
•     Serotonin and norepinephrine are neurotransmitters produced by neurons in the brainstem (where the brain and spinal cord connect). When we are awake, these hormones keep our brains working.
•    Neurons at the bottom of the brain are in charge of us falling asleep. These neurons appear to cut off the impulses that keep us awake.

Sleep Stages in Order

It is critical to understand that sleep does not move through the four phases in exactly the same order. The phases of sleep develop as follows after a full night's rest:
•    NREM stage 1 sleep is the first stage of sleep. It gives way to NREM stage 2.
•    The second stage of NREM is followed by the third stage of NREM.
•    NREM stage 2 is then performed again.
•    Finally, you've entered REM slumber.
When REM sleep is complete, the body normally returns to NREM stage 2 before repeating the cycle. The amount of time spent in each stage varies throughout the night as the cycle is repeated (about four to five times total).

What could possibly disturb your sleep cycle?

The phrase "interrupted sleep" refers to sleep that is not uninterrupted throughout the night. Your sleep cycle may be interrupted as a result of this. A sleep stage in progress may be cut short, and a cycle may be repeated before it is completed. A variety of conditions might disrupt your sleeping patterns. Depending on whether one is at work, this may occur just sometimes or on a regular basis. Some of the reasons that are related to disturbed sleep and, as a result, may impact your sleep phases are as follows:
•    Sleep naturally gets lighter, and you can be roused more readily.
•    Nocturia is the condition of often waking up with the desire to urinate.
•    Difficulty falling or stay asleep as a result of acute or chronic pain illnesses such as fibromyalgia.
•    Mood disorders like Depression and bipolar disorder.
•    Little or no exercise, cigarette smoking, excessive caffeine use, and excessive alcohol consumption, etc.

Summary

As your body proceeds through the four phases of the sleep cycle, it undergoes many biological processes that influence your temperature, respiration, cells, and muscles. All the while, your brain is busily generating, organizing, and storing memories. Every night, it's very important to get seven to nine hours of sleep. It's also important to get a good night's sleep that isn't interrupted, so your body can benefit from each of these four stages.
Note: Consult a healthcare physician if you suspect you have a sleep disorder. There are several therapies available for sleep disturbances.


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