Sleep cycle
Sleep Cycle
The Sleep Cycle (pronunciation: /sli:p saɪkəl/) is a term used to describe the pattern of alternating states and stages of sleep that the human body goes through during a typical night.
Etymology
The term "Sleep Cycle" is derived from the English words "sleep", which means a condition of body and mind which typically recurs for several hours every night, in which the nervous system is inactive, the eyes closed, the postural muscles relaxed, and consciousness practically suspended, and "cycle", which means a series of events that are regularly repeated in the same order.
Stages of Sleep Cycle
The Sleep Cycle is typically divided into five stages:
- NREM Stage 1: This is the stage between being awake and falling asleep.
- NREM Stage 2: This is the stage of light sleep before entering deeper sleep.
- NREM Stage 3: This is the stage of deep sleep that you need to feel refreshed in the morning.
- NREM Stage 4: This is the second stage of deep sleep.
- REM Sleep: This is the stage associated with dreaming.
These stages repeat cyclically through the night, with increasingly longer, deeper REM periods occurring toward morning.
Related Terms
- Circadian Rhythm: This is a natural, internal process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and repeats roughly every 24 hours.
- Sleep Deprivation: This is a condition that occurs if you don't get enough sleep.
- Sleep Disorder: This is a condition that frequently impacts your ability to get enough quality sleep.
- Insomnia: This is a sleep disorder in which you have trouble falling and/or staying asleep.
- Sleep Apnea: This is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Sleep cycle
- Wikipedia's article - Sleep cycle
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