7 meaningful habits for better sleep
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In our exploration of sleep quality, understanding the fundamentals of sleep is crucial. In this article, we delve into the essence of sleep
Understanding Sleep
Sleep is a complex and vital process for our bodies and minds. It's not just a period of rest, but a state where several important physiological processes occur.
Stages of Sleep
Our sleep cycle is divided into four stages, alternating between non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep:
- Stage 1 NREM: The transition from wakefulness to sleep, characterized by light sleep.
- Stage 2 NREM: A deeper sleep where brain waves slow down.
- Stage 3 NREM: This stage is crucial for feeling refreshed the next day.
- REM Sleep: In this stage, dreaming occurs. REM sleep is linked to memory consolidation, a process of forming long-term memories.
These stages repeat cyclically throughout the night, with each cycle lasting about 90-120 minutes. NREM sleep constitutes about 75% to 80% of each cycle. For more details on the stages of sleep, visit the Sleep Foundation.
How Much Sleep Do We Need?
Different age groups require varying amounts of sleep:
- Teens (13-18 years): 8-10 hours
- Adults (18 years and older): 7 hours or more
Determining your optimal sleep duration involves assessing your overall health, daily activities, and typical sleep patterns. Factors like personal health, energy expenditure, daily tasks requiring alertness, and the presence of any sleep disorders play a role in defining how much sleep you need. For detailed guidelines on sleep duration for different age groups, refer to the Sleep Foundation.
