{"id":182,"date":"2021-09-15T17:50:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-15T17:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thewoodlandssleepdentist.com\/blog\/?p=182"},"modified":"2022-01-10T17:51:55","modified_gmt":"2022-01-10T17:51:55","slug":"stages-of-sleep-and-why-theyre-important","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thewoodlandssleepdentist.com\/blog\/2021\/09\/stages-of-sleep-and-why-theyre-important\/","title":{"rendered":"Stages of Sleep: What They Are & Why They\u2019re Important"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Millions of Americans suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The disorder interrupts your breathing while you\u2019re asleep, meaning your brain will keep waking you up to unblock the airway. Sadly, this will interrupt the sleep cycle and prevent you from getting the full benefits of a good night\u2019s rest. When you\u2019re asleep, the body takes time to repair muscles, grow bones, manage hormones, and sort memories. Read along to learn about the different stages of sleep and why it\u2019s important to complete the full cycle every night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Are the Stages of Sleep?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take a closer look at each stage of sleep:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Falling Asleep<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This stage of non-REM sleep is the transition from wakefulness to sleep<\/a>, typically only lasting a few minutes. It\u2019s the lightest stage of sleep, meaning your body is still alert to some degree and can be awakened from outside stimuli. During this stage, eye movements begin to slow down, and your muscles become relaxed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Light Sleep<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This stage is also considered to be fairly light sleep, but your brain will start producing special waves called sleep spindles. It comprises the largest percentage of total sleep time. Your heartbeat and breathing will slow down further, you\u2019ll no longer have eye movements, and your body temperature will drop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slow Wave Sleep<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This final stage of non-REM sleep is where you get the deepest sleep, meaning it\u2019s harder to be awakened. During this time, your body performs several crucial health-promoting tasks. Any muscles or tissues that were damaged during the day will be repaired. Your body will also produce protective cytokines to help the immune system and restore energy levels in the cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

REM Stage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After a while, you\u2019ll move on to the final stage \u2013 REM sleep. The term stands for \u201crapid-eye-movement\u201d which comes from how your eyes begin to jerk in various directions. You\u2019ll also experience a faster heart rate, higher blood pressure, and somewhat irregular, shallow breathing. Since your brain will begin consolidating any new information it learned from the previous day, it\u2019s the most important stage for memory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Importance of Uninterrupted Sleep<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned earlier, disorders like sleep apnea can prevent you from getting a full night of rest. That means you won\u2019t spend enough time in stages three and four of the cycle, causing your physical health and mental capabilities to suffer. If left untreated, these issues will only worsen over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips to Get Quality Rest<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are some ways you can improve your sleep hygiene:<\/p>\n\n\n\n