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The Four Stages of Sleep: Do I Really Need All of Them?

Sleep is important: it keeps you alert during the day and assists you in performing at your highest levels. But is all sleep created equal? Anyone who has been woken up in the middle of a dream or a nap may tell you they’ve felt disoriented or groggy instead of well-rested and refreshed.

Sleep experts have identified four stages of sleep that humans can go through in any given night. Experiencing this full cycle may help you ultimately feel more rested when you wake. They are best defined as:

  • Closed eyes but still alert. You have shut your eyes to the world, but outside stimuli can still wake you. This may last anywhere from five to 10 minutes.
  • Light sleep. Your heart rate begins to drop, along with your body temperature.
  • Deep sleep. The last part of what is known as non-REM sleep is where you finally reach deep sleep. Your body restores itself during this phase, and can even self-repair bones, muscles and tissues that have been damaged
  • REM sleep. REM (rapid eye movement) sleep is where your dreams occur. It takes about an hour to reach this stage.

You will likely experience several cycles of these stages as you progress through a full night’s sleep. Although it is not known why, infants typically spend more time in REM sleep, while it diminishes greatly with age.

Achieve All Four Sleep Stages Regularly with My CPAP Club

Are you sleeping all night and still waking up drowsy? Do you find it difficult to fall asleep consistently? If so, you may be suffering from an undiagnosed sleep disorder. Don’t fight a good night’s sleep any longer. Invest in your health by finding a sleep problem solution through My CPAP Club. Offering a variety of machines, masks and accessories, we are sure to have something that suits your needs.

Aren’t sure what you’re looking for? Fill out our online contact form and one of our customer service representatives will be able to guide you to a better night’s sleep.