Sleep cycle calculator: Find out when to go to sleep

Posted by markwahl barg on July 27th, 2018

Sleep is a behavior. Movements that do occur in sleep are limited to a particular stage. Sleep is an urge, a need with which we must comply. But we remember very little about what happens while we sleep. There is a change in consciousness.

Sleep is essential for the body to rest and relax. However people that snore can their loved ones feeling tired during the day. There are different sleep cycle stages and we do not necessarily snore in all of these stages.

The Sleep Cycle

There is a natural cycle that your brain goes through when you are asleep. This cycle consists of 2 states known as rapid eye movement sleep (REM) and non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM). These sleep states are named due to the behavior of your eyes in each state. Normally, a person will begin sleeping with non-REM and then have short periods of REM followed by longer periods of NREM. Typically REM makes up 10-20% of the total time we are asleep.

  • Non-REM

Non-REM is made up of 4 stages. The length of each cycle will depend on the person but typically it is around 10-15 minutes.

  • Stage 1: This stage is the period of semi-consciousness that we pass though we fall into a light sleep. It is associated with reduced brain activity
  • Stage 2: This is light sleep and is associated with periods of muscular contraction and relaxation. The body is preparing to enter a deeper sleep
  • Stage 3 and 4: Both of the last stages are deep sleep. Stage 4 is a much deeper sleep than 3. When you are suddenly woken from these stages you can feel confused and disorientated. It is during the latter stages of NREM that the immune system is strengthened, muscles and bones are built and the body repairs.
  • REM

REM can occur suddenly at intervals during the night. Here the brain activity looks quite similar to when we are awake. If you wake directly from REM you often are aware of having dreamt, it is therefore also known as "dreaming sleep". The purpose or REM is not fully known although it is thought it may be when the brain organizes memories.

Sleep is such a common phenomenon that people take it for granted and think about it seriously when they face sleeping disorders or problems. You can also find out what time you should be going to bed or getting up with the help of a sleep cycle calculator

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markwahl barg
Joined: November 12th, 2016
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