While we’re sleeping, our brain and body are still at work to help our bodies recharge and recover from the previous day. During sleep, the chemical and physical processes that our bodies undergo are essential for functions such as cellular restoration, weight management, and heart health. When we’re asleep, our body goes through different stages of sleep, Stages 1- 3 and REM. Each stage of sleep takes between 70 and 120 minutes and our brain cycles through each stage until it’s time to wake up.
Stage 1: Non-REM Sleep (NREM 1)
Stage 1 is a short cycle and represents the transition from wakefulness into sleep. During this stage, the heart rate, breathing, eye movement, and brain wave activity begin to slow. The muscles begin to relax, though some twitches are common, known as hypnic jerks or sleep starts.
Though this stage is short, this is a “light sleep” stage. It’s very easy to be awakened during this stage. The most common factors that contribute to this are stress, pain in the body, poor sleep hygiene, and too much light/ sound. The best help for this can be to ensure you’re in a quiet, dark space and relax as much as possible.
Stage 2 Non-REM Sleep (NREM 2)
Once you have “fallen asleep” stage 2 begins, and the brain and body begin to settle. The longest of the sleep stages, NREM 2 is characterized by a continuous decrease in heart rate, breathing, and brain wave activity. Though brain waves have slowed, NREM 2 and NREM 3 exhibit numerous quick bursts of brain activity. Body temperature also drops significantly and eye movements will completely cease.
Another “light sleep” stage, it is easy to be awakened in NREM 2. This is why it’s crucial to ensure that you are practicing proper sleep hygiene to ensure you set yourself up for a good night’s sleep.
Stage 3 Non-REM Sleep
This is the beginning of slow-wave sleep or deep sleep. In Stage 3, or NREM 3, heart rate, brain waves, and breathing slow to their lowest rate. Muscles are completely relaxed and the body’s energy expenditure is at its lowest. Initially, NREM3 is a longer stage but shortens throughout the night as the brain cycles.
REM Sleep
During REM (Rapid Eye Movement) Sleep brain activity increases significantly, with levels similar to an awakened state. This is why REM is associated with intense, vivid dreams. Eye movement is highly active, hence the term Rapid Eye Movement. Heart rate and breathing also increase during REM sleep, however, the muscles are still in a very relaxed, almost paralyzed state. This prevents us from moving and acting out our dreams in reality. During REM sleep the brain’s heightened activity contributes to critical cognitive abilities, such as storing memories.
It’s crucial for the brain to achieve all 4 stages of sleep in multiple cycles. These stages of sleep can be interrupted by several factors that can lead to low-quality sleep. The risks of long-term low-quality sleep are critical to your health and wellness.
How Low-Quality Sleep Can Affect Your Health and Wellness
Some sleep disorders can prevent you from achieving high-quality sleep such as insomnia and sleep apnea but there are many ways sleep quality can be diminished. Some may not even realize that they’re getting low-quality sleep until months or years of poor habits, undiagnosed, or misdiagnosed sleep disorders. If you’re not reaching certain stages of sleep, or you’re simply not getting enough sleep, then you can quickly fall into sleep deprivation, making you feel tired during the day, reduce your alertness and energy, and increase irritability.
Over time, low-quality sleep can influence your energy, immunity, heart health, and brain function. This can make you more prone to diseases, infections, and even mental health disorders. Good sleep quality and proper sleep hygiene are crucial to help your body and brain stay healthy and happy. If you live in the Charlotte or Concord, NC area, you can get better sleep with the help of Gingras Sleep Medicine. We have Charlotte and Concord sleep clinic offices for your convenience.
Improve Your Sleep With Gingras Sleep Medicine in Charlotte, NC
Visit the Gingras Sleep Medicine Clinic for yourself and your family’s improved sleep. Our team at the sleep clinic in Charlotte and Concord, North Carolina is trained to assist young children, teens, adults, and seniors in improving their sleep habits by diagnosing any sleep concerns or issues and providing excellent treatment options to suit their needs. We know that better nights lead to better days. Learn more about our sleep clinic or our sleep medicine doctor, Dr. Jeannine Gingras by visiting our website.