What are the stages of sleep and how to interpret them

Sleep is very important, and knowing the stages of sleep can keep you from having abrupt night awakenings or unrestful naps. Keep healthy and well by sleeping better, find out what sleep stages are and how they can help you sleep well.

Light and deep sleep: what does it mean? Here are what the stages of sleep are

Sleeping represents one of the main activities in the life of every human being, even the most active! It occupies, in fact, one third of our lives and is essential for overall health.

What happens during sleep?

Sleep is a state of “apparent stillness,” because in reality our organism works for the purpose of:

• Resting the body
• Eliminate toxins
• Strengthen cognitive functions
   

Specifically, while we sleep, a cyclic alternation of 5 phases takes place, which are in turn divided into two macro-moments. After falling asleep, in fact, we progressively move from stage 1 to the following stages, until, about 60-70 minutes after falling asleep, we reach the REM stage.

Here are what the stages of sleep are

Those who own a device that allows you to monitor sleep know that light sleep is distinguished from deep sleep.

But what are the other sleep stages? Let's go over what they are by analyzing the different stages:

NREM phase

The first macro-phase of sleep occupies about 75 percent of total sleep and is the one in which there are no rapid eye movements, which itself consists of 4 phases (lasting a minimum of 5 minutes to a maximum of 15 minutes). In the transition from one stage to the next, sleep gradually becomes deeper.

Stage 1: falling asleep

Gradually the body transitions from the waking state to sleep, and it is here that certain phenomena occur: lowering of body temperature, partial relaxation of muscles, and slowing of the heart rate. At this stage, eye movements are not rapid, a signal that brain activity slowly decreases.

Stage 2: light sleep

The intermediate stage between falling asleep and deep sleep: muscles become increasingly relaxed and heart rate gradually slows.

Stage 3: Deep sleep

The subject is asleep and, therefore, there is no eye movement or brain activity; metabolic levels are slow and the body is completely relaxed. This stage lasts about 10 minutes.

Stage 4: actual deep sleep

Body temperature drops further, breathing and heart rate become slow, and muscles are completely relaxed; this is the stage of deepest, dreamless relaxation and unconscious mind; eyes slowly begin to move erratically and the body prepares for the next stage, REM sleep.

REM phase

Stage 5. REM Stage.

Also called "paradoxical sleep," this is the stage in which rapid eye movements occur, blood flow and brain activity increase, but in which muscles are paralyzed. This stage of sleep is the one in which dreams occur.

Rem and non-Rem sleep stages alternate about 4-5 times during the night for a total duration of one and a half hours, determining the so-called sleep cycles, which are crucial for restorative and restful sleep, along with duration.

How to indulge the sleep cycles?

We have seen what the stages of sleep are, and it is easy to see that in order to allow this delicate process to take place, it is important that there are no interruptions and therefore, that the quality of sleep is good.

In order to sleep well and relax your back muscles, as well as those of the whole body, you may need to choose a mattress and pillow best suited to your needs.

Try taking a look at Veradea products, which thanks to their features may be the allies you are looking for! Find out more on our website and contact us for more information.If you want to try our products before you buy them, in addition to the 100-night trial, you can also look for the Veradea Digital Store nearest to you! Our sleep consultants are waiting for you to improve your sleep.