Alester Brown

Different Stages of Sleep

The concept of going to sleep might seem straightforward. However, your brain goes through several cycles as you sleep. Each one has a specific role in recharging the mind and body. They also help to support your circadian rhythm.

What is Circadian Rhythm?

You've likely heard this term many times in the context of sleep. But what is circadian rhythm? To put it simply, it's the internal process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle.

Many factors influence your circadian rhythm. However, one of the most significant is light.

When the sun dips below the horizon, your circadian rhythm triggers the sleep-producing hormone melatonin. Then, it transmits signals to get you through the various sleep stages.

The Four Stages of Sleep

The following stages are all crucial to getting a good night's rest. When issues with your circadian rhythm and frequent disruptions occur, your body can't go through the stages to help you recharge.

NREM Stage One

NREM stands for non-rapid eye movement. It's colloquially known as "quiet sleep" and lasts through three stages.

The first is the transition between wakefulness and sleep. This stage only lasts between five and ten minutes. In that brief period, your heartbeat slows down, your breathing gets gentle, and the muscles in your body start to relax.

NREM Stage Two

During the second sleep stage, body temperature and heart rate decrease. Eye movements stop, and you also get less aware of your surroundings.

The brain starts to fire off sleep spindles. Spindles are short, sporadic bursts of brainwave activity. Experts believe they're part of your brain's memory consolidation process. The second sleep stage lasts approximately 20 minutes.

NREM Stage Three

This stage is also known as "delta sleep."

Your muscles are relaxed, and sudden external stimuli can quickly disrupt your sleep. But if you get through this stage, you can feel rejuvenated when you wake up. That's because this stage is when your body does its most physical repairs.

REM

Finally, we have the REM stage. REM stands for rapid eye movement, a great descriptor of how your eyes move as you sleep! Your body is essentially paralyzed during this stage, but your brain's activity lights up as if you were awake.

Memory consolidation continues to occur in the REM stage, and your brain will lock details away in your memory. Reaching this stage is crucial. Not only does it help you feel recharged, but it can also boost your memory and ability to learn.

Author Resource:-

Alester Brown writes about mental and physical health. She advises people on difficulty sleeping & online sleep programs. You can find her thoughts at top sleep experts blog.