An overview of the different stages of sleep and how each plays a crucial role in overall health
Did you know humans spend a third of their lives sleeping? Sleep plays a vital role in maintaining overall health, affecting everything from growth and immune system function to memory and learning (2). Scientists have discovered that human sleep is composed of different stages, each having its own unique purpose. The first stage is falling asleep, lasting only a few minutes, which is the transition from wakefulness to sleep (1). The next stage is light sleep, which makes up most of the total sleep time, where the brain produces special waves called sleep spindles (1). After that, the body enters slow-wave sleep, the final stage of non-REM sleep; in this stage, the body heals any sore muscles and produces cytokines to boost immune health (1). Finally, there is REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, the deepest stage of sleep; during this phase, heart rate and blood pressure rise, and shallow breathing can occur (1). This stage is the most important stage for memory as information from the day is processed during REM sleep (1). Each stage of sleep plays a crucial role in restoring the body and the mind. Skipping or shortening any stage can disrupt this balance, proving that a full, uninterrupted sleep is vital to overall health and well-being. A chart showing the different stages of sleep and on average their duration
Sources:
- Dernick, R. (2021, September 15). Stages of sleep: What they are & why they’re important. The Woodlands Sleep Dentist. https://www.thewoodlandssleepdentist.com/blog/2021/09/stages-of-sleep-and-why-theyre-important/
- Cultivating Health. (2023, March 15). Better sleep: Why it’s important for your health and tips to sleep soundly. UC Davis Health. https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/better-sleep-why-its-important-for-your-health-and-tips-to-sleep-soundly/2023/03
Comments are closed.