The stages of sleep are typically divided into five stages:
1. Stage 1: This is the transition stage between wakefulness and sleep. It is a light sleep stage where people may experience slowed eye movements and muscle activity. It is relatively easy to wake someone up from this stage.
2. Stage 2: This stage is characterized by a deeper sleep, where brain waves become slower and occasional bursts of rapid brain activity called sleep spindles and K-complexes occur.
3. Stage 3: This is the beginning of deep sleep, also known as slow-wave sleep. It is characterized by even slower brain waves known as delta waves. This stage is important for physical restoration, growth, and repair.
4. Stage 4: This stage is also part of deep sleep and is dominated by delta waves. It is the deepest stage of sleep, and it becomes increasingly difficult to wake someone up during this stage. This stage is associated with important physiological processes like hormone regulation and immune system support.
5. Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep: REM sleep is the stage where most vivid dreaming occurs. It is characterized by rapid eye movements, increased brain activity, and muscle paralysis. REM sleep is essential for cognitive processes like memory consolidation and emotional regulation. During a typical night's sleep, REM sleep episodes become longer and more frequent as the night progresses.
These stages occur in cycles throughout the night, with each cycle taking approximately 90-110 minutes. On average, a person goes through 4-6 complete sleep cycles in a night.
what are the stages of sleep
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