As humans, we experience five stages of sleep during our sleep cycles each night which are crucial to our health, well-being, and cognitive function. These five stages are divided into rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-REM sleep. Continue reading to learn more about each of the five stages!
Stage 1
Stage 1 is the very beginning of the sleep cycle and the lightest stage of sleep. It can be thought of as a transition period between being awake and being asleep. Your brain waves begin to slow down a bit, it typically lasts between five and ten minutes and it is considered non-REM.
Stage 2
During stage 2 your body becomes more relaxed as you fall into a deeper sleep. Your body temperature decreases, your muscles relax and your breathing and heart rate both slow down. Stage 2 is also a non-REM stage and can last anywhere from 10 to 60 minutes.
Stage 3 and Stage 4
Stages 3 and 4 are often lumped together and are when we experience deep non-REM sleep. Sleep experts believe that deep sleep is critical to our health and well-being. Deep sleep helps to keep your immune system healthy and allows your body to rest and recover. Stages 3 and 4 usually last about 20 to 40 minutes.
Stage 5
Stage 5 is when we experience REM sleep and is the stage of sleep where most dreaming occurs. REM sleep has been linked to the health of your brain and may assist in cognitive functions such as memory, learning, and creativity. Throughout your night of sleep, each cycle through stage 5 REM sleep increases in length and can last anywhere from 10 to 60 minutes.