Circadian Rhythms and the Stages of Sleep
Circadian Rhythms Fact Sheet
What are circadian Rhythms?
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With todays technology its easy to monitor your sleep patterns using an app on your iPhone or Smart Phone.
Sleep Cycles
Stages of Sleep: REM and Non-REM Sleep
When you sleep, your body rests and restores its energy levels. A good night's sleep is often the best way to help you cope with stress, solve problems, or recover from illness. What Happens During Sleep?Sleep is restorative, yet it is an active state that affects both your physical and mental well-being. Sleep is prompted by natural cycles of activity in the brain and consists of two basic states: rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, which consists of Stages 1 through 4. During sleep, the body cycles between non-REM and REM sleep. Typically, people begin the sleep cycle with a period of non-REM sleep followed by a very short period of REM sleep. Dreams generally occur in the REM stage of sleep. Continue reading below...What Is Non-REM Sleep?The period of NREM sleep is made up of stages 1-4. Each stage can last from 5 to 15 minutes. A completed cycle of sleep consists of a progression from stages 1-4 before REM sleep is attained, then the cycle starts over again.
http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/sleep-101 |