Sleep Cycle

What is the sleep cycle?

The sleep cycle is a pattern of sleep that repeats throughout the night. One full sleep cycle lasts about 90-110 minutes and consists of several stages of sleep, divided into four main stages as follows

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NREM (Non-Rapid Eye Movement) Sleep

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• Stage 1: This is the lightest sleep phase, where the person starts to feel drowsy and their eyes close. Body movements slow down, and this phase lasts about 5-10 minutes.

• Stage 2: This stage is still light sleep but deeper than Stage 1. During this time, body movements decrease, and the heart rate slows down. This phase lasts about 20 minutes.

• Stage 3: This is the deepest sleep phase. During this time, the body restores and repairs itself, and growth hormones are released.

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REM (Rapid Eye Movement) Sleep

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• This phase is marked by rapid eye movement (REM), and it is when dreaming occurs. The brain becomes highly active, and the central nervous system is fully engaged. REM sleep typically begins about 90 minutes after falling asleep and increases in duration with each sleep cycle.

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Understanding and maintaining good sleep patterns can help improve our overall health and enhance our performance.