Stages of Sleep Including REM Sleep

Sleeping as we think is not a continuous resting process. There are 5 stages of sleep which include REM sleeps which is the fifth stage of sleeping. This latter stage of sleeping is characterized by changes in your psychological states include rapid eye movement (REM). If an individual does not suffer from a sleep disorder then in REM sleep their heart rate and breathing increase. In addition their face, hands and legs may twitch while sleeping. Brain activity increases in this stage of rest as a result of dreaming.  The following include the other stage of sleep including REM sleep.

Stage 1
During this stage of rest the individual is just falling asleep. Their eyes are closed but the individual is easily awakened after just falling asleep and they will not feel refreshed. This stage of sleep exists for a few minutes and is the first stage of falling asleep.

Stage 2
During this stage of rest the individuals heart rate becomes slower and their body temperature drops. In addition muscles tense and relax periodically at this stage of rest. The body is preparing to enter deep sleep which is the next two phases of resting.

Stage 3
Stage 3 and 4 are the deep sleep phases.  Very slow delta waves appear while moving to the next stage of resting. If awakened at this stage, the person will remain disoriented if they are anable to fall asleep again.

Stage 4
This deep dreamless stage of sleep produces slow brain waves called delta waves that are deeper than in 3. You must include sleepwalking and bed wetting as they happen in this stage of sleep resting.

Stage 5
Rapid Eye Movement occurs at this stage which provides it with its characteristic name of REM sleep. Muscle paralysis also occurs while the person sleeps. Generally this is thought to happen so that the individual who sleeps will not act out on the dreams they are experiencing. The initial REM is very short lived but each recurring REM stage lengthens with the final REM being up to 1 hour in length as the person sleeps.

The five stages of sleep repeat cyclically throughout the night with each cycle lasting longer than the previous cycle. An individual with a healthy sleep pattern may cycle through these stages 5 times each night.

See Also:  Better Sleep Tips

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