5 Stages of Sleep

There are 5 stages of sleep that we go through each night. Stage 5 sleep is the resting stage in which REM (Rapid Eye Movement) occurs. This is the only resting stage in which REM occurs, and the other four stages are known as NREM or Non REM stages. Stage five REM sleeping may occur several times throughout the night, with each period of REM becoming longer. For instance, the first period of REM sleeping may only last ten or fifteen minutes, but by the last cycle when REM occurs, it usually lasts for about an hour.

REM sleeping or rest is a period during which the brain is very active. There is eye movement and muscles and limbs often twitch. This is also the period of rest when dreams are most likely to occur. During this time or rest , blood pressure and heart rate are elevated. What is most remarkable is that during the REM resting period, the body is literally paralyzed while asleep. Many people mistakenly believe that this period when the brain is so active is when sleep walking may occur – but in fact, sleep walking rarely occurs during this period, and if it does, it may be a sign of frontal lobe seizures.

REM is so evident from a physical standpoint that when you watch a person who is asleep, you will usually know when they are in the REM stage. In fact, scientists who research dreams monitor subjects when they are asleep and wake them immediately after an REM cycle to get a reporting of their dreams, as this is when most dreams will probably be remembered. In fact, our dreams vary in length, and the length is based on how long the REM period lasts.

See Also: Sleep Studies Comparison

About The Author:
Andrew Thomas is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.sleep-disorders-help.com.