The Five Stages of Sleep

Inspired by an infographic created by @buzzfeed.

Do you know the 5 Stages of Sleep?

Sleep is one of the most important factors for your wellbeing and health. We spend a third of our lives asleep, but how much do you know about the process of sleeping?

In these notes I’m breaking down The 5 Stages of Sleep.

A good night's sleep allows us: process thoughts and ideas, grow, manage hormones and sort through memories.

There are 5 stages of sleep, which cycle through REM (Rapid Eye Movement) and Non-REM sleep every night.

Here's a quick breakdown of the 5 stages:

Stage 1, Drowsy.
The transition between awake and asleep.

Stage 2, Light Sleep.
Brain produces rhythmic brain waves, body temperature drops with heart rate.

Stage 3, Moderate Sleep.
The brain produces deep and slower brain waves.

Stage 4, Deep Sleep.
Fun fact, Sleep walking occurs at the end of this stage.

Stage 5, REM Sleep.
More dreaming occurs, paralysation of voluntary muscles.

It takes about 90 mins to cycle through all these processes, and you'll do this multiple times per night.

Fascinating right!?

I hope this helps you better understand your own sleep better, so you can get better sleep and dream up more awesome ideas!