while we sleep, we cycle through different stages. In this blog post, I will give a blurb of information about each stage of the cycle.
Stage 1 is when we first enter sleep and where our sleep is the lightest possible and can easily be disrupted. This is also when our muscles begin to weaken and our eye movement is slow.
Stage 2 is marked by slower brain waves. This is when our eyes stop moving. While brainwaves have begun to slow, there are brief periods of time where there will be short bursts of activity.
Stage 3 is classified as the period of entering deep sleep. Slower waves begin to show. During the 4th stage, the slower waves are at times interrupted with waves that are a little more hyperactive. during both of these stages is when an individual is in or has entered deep sleep. When individuals are awoken from these specific stages, they feel groggy and disoriented.
REM stands for “rapid eye movement” and that is exactly what occurs during this stage in sleep. Our eyes rapidly move back and forth while our breathing becomes more rapid and while we are paralyzed, our heart rate and blood pressure increase. An individual awakened from this stage can recall their dreams.
