Getting Healthy Sleep Means Having A Normal Sleep Cycle
When we sleep we cycle between what is called REM and non-REM sleep.
These designations are not based upon our sleep experience, but rather on what researchers observe.
One of the first observations made by sleep researches (who observed people while they were sleeping) was the rapid flickering of the eyes back and forth for periods of time during sleep.
REM stands for Rapid Eye Movement. So REM sleep is the period of sleep in which rapid eye movements are occurring.
REM stands for Rapid Eye Movement. So REM sleep is the period of sleep in which rapid eye movements are occurring.
REM sleep is usually a sign of dreaming. That is, most dreaming occurs during REM sleep.
Non-REM sleep is further divided into stages. When you first start falling asleep at night you move into stage 1 of non-REM sleep.
As you move further into light sleep you are in stage 2. "Deep sleep" is technically stages 3 and 4 of non-REM sleep.
Stages 3 and 4 are differentiated on an electroencephalogram by different brain waves. Otherwise there is no way to differentiate the two.
In terms of our experience of the stages of sleep, you can differentiate them most readily by how easily you can be awakened from sleep.
During stage 1 for instance you are still partially aware of your environment.
In stage 2 you have turned off your external environment but can still be awakened easily. In stages 3 and 4 (deep sleep) it is difficult to awaken and one often feels groggy when awakened in these stages.
Deep sleep is a state of deep relaxation. Physiological changes such as diminished muscle tension, lowered blood pressure, slowing of the heart rate and breathing are all associated with deep sleep.
During deep sleep part of the brain secretes a unique hormone (called human growth hormone) more than at any time during the day.
Human growth hormone is sometimes called the hormonal fountain of youth because of its rejuvenating qualities.
Each night your body repairs and restores itself under the direction of human growth hormone.
Human growth hormone is sometimes called the hormonal fountain of youth because of its rejuvenating qualities.
Each night your body repairs and restores itself under the direction of human growth hormone.
After going into deep sleep one emerges into REM sleep. During REM sleep there is Rapid Eye Movement and this is when we dream.
Researchers have found that REM sleep seems to help us remember what we learned the day before.
Getting Deeper Into The Stages Of Sleep.
Because they are unconscious, we don't really appreciate the stages of sleep. Dreaming (the stage of REM) is the only one that we can remember.
Getting Deeper Into The Stages Of Sleep.
Because they are unconscious, we don't really appreciate the stages of sleep. Dreaming (the stage of REM) is the only one that we can remember.
Yet the stages of sleep are just as vital for us as the many states of mind that we experience while awake. Our best reference point for describing sleep is our waking state.
By comparing wakefulness and sleep, the nature of each becomes clearer. Think of your different states of awareness or arousal while you are awake. Each of us experiences numerous levels of energy, arousal and alertness through the waking day.
If you've gotten bad news-like losing a ton of money in your retirement account, your energy level is likely to be down.
If you've gotten bad news-like losing a ton of money in your retirement account, your energy level is likely to be down.
You may even be depressed. Your outlook on life is colored by your mood.
Even your perceptions of your immediate environment are affected. A beautiful summer day doesn't thrill you when you have a cloud over your head.
Our perception of reality (including the experience of sleep) is relative.
In our waking state our senses are constantly receiving input from our body and the outside world. Our brain filters out most of what our sense organs actually pick up.
Our perception of reality (including the experience of sleep) is relative.
In our waking state our senses are constantly receiving input from our body and the outside world. Our brain filters out most of what our sense organs actually pick up.
If it didn't we would be so bombarded by incoming signals we wouldn't be able to function.
Our brain also imposes structure on what we pick up through our senses.
Our brain also imposes structure on what we pick up through our senses.
The raw data of light entering the lens of our eyes has no inherent meaning. But our eyes and brain impose patterns and meaning on what we see.
An interesting example of this is documented in drawings made by 16th century European explorers who sailed to the Americas, and by the Indians they met there.
One encounter is depicted in an anonymous engraving by a European artist. The European artist drew "a sailing vessel anchored offshore with a landing party of elegantly dressed gentlemen disembarking while regal, Europeanized Indians look on - one of the Indians in the engraving held a 'peace pipe' expressly for this festive occasion."
A companion drawing, made by an American Indian at the same event "records a totally different scene: Indians gasping in amazement as a floating island, covered with tall defoliated trees and odd creatures with hairy faces, approaches."
One of the problems that we face when we begin to look at sleep is our tendency to want absolute and definite answers.
A companion drawing, made by an American Indian at the same event "records a totally different scene: Indians gasping in amazement as a floating island, covered with tall defoliated trees and odd creatures with hairy faces, approaches."
One of the problems that we face when we begin to look at sleep is our tendency to want absolute and definite answers.
If our waking state and even our perceptions are so relative (as evidenced by the European explorers and American Indians), is it realistic to look for absolutes in the world of sleep?
After all, we are largely unconscious of what goes on during sleep. So how accurately can we really understand the experience of sleep?
To learn more about healthy sleep and natural sleep remedies please visit here!
What we do know is that sleep is vital to your health. When we say sleep we don't mean just being unconscious for 8 hours each night. We mean that we are cycling through the stages so REM, non-REM and deep sleep. All of the stages of sleep, experienced each night, constitute healthy sleep.
Have a good night sleep!
To learn more about healthy sleep and natural sleep remedies please visit here!
What we do know is that sleep is vital to your health. When we say sleep we don't mean just being unconscious for 8 hours each night. We mean that we are cycling through the stages so REM, non-REM and deep sleep. All of the stages of sleep, experienced each night, constitute healthy sleep.
Have a good night sleep!
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