Sleep Patterns – The Stages of Sleep
When we are in our deepest sleep, feeling like we are "out cold", there is actually a lot happening. Normal sleepers have a relatively predictable "sleep architecture" the term used to describe an alternating pattern of REM (rapid eye movement) and non-REM sleep. REM sleep is when you dream, and is characterized by a high level of mental and physical activity. In fact, your heart rate, blood pressure and breathing are similar to what you experience when you are awake.
Sleep experts define the best sleep as having the right mix of REM and non-REM sleep.
The following chart shows the various stages of sleep.
NREM: 75% of night* |
As we begin to fall asleep, we enter NREM, which is composed of Stages 1-4. |
Stage 1 |
Light sleep; between being awake and entering sleep |
Stage 2 |
Onset of sleep; becoming disengaged with the environment; breathing and heart rate are regular and body temperature goes down |
Stage 3 & 4 |
Deepest and most restorative sleep; blood pressure drops; breathing slower; energy regained; and hormones are released for growth and development |
REM: 25% of night |
First occurs about 90 minutes after falling alseep and increases over later part of night; necessary for providing energy to brain and body; brain is active and dreams occur as eyes dart back and forth; bodies become immobile and relaxed; muscles shut down; breathing and heart rate may become irregular; important to daytime performance and may contribute to memory consolidation |
*Time spent in these states and stages of sleep varies by age.
Establishing a regular sleep and wake time helps promote healthy sleep by getting you in sync with your circadian clock so that you experience all of these stages of sleep.
Excerpted from http://www.sleepfoundation.org
| Contact one of our Sleep Experts at 1-877-856-7378 for more help on how to improve the quality of your sleep. Our state-of-the-art range of visco elastic memory foam products - beds, mattresses, mattress pads, and toppers, pillows and other home bedding products is designed to increase your personal comfort and improve your sleep. Now enjoy the best rest of your life! |
See Our REM Sleep Pattern Helping Memory Foam Pillows
