We’ve all heard about REM, or Rapid Eye Movement, sleep. But do we really need REM sleep?
Sleep is the foundation of “resetting” our minds. It is a condition of the body and mind when the nervous system is relatively inactive. Sleep allows us to rejuvenate, to let go of pressures, to start a new day feeling good. Sleep is the body’s rest cycle. But for many of us – sleep eludes us.
Without sleep serious health issues can affect us. Some of the most serious potential problems associated with chronic sleep deprivation are high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack, heart failure or stroke. Other potential problems include obesity, depression, and reduced immune system function.
There are two types of sleep: NREM and REM
Non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
About 80 percent of our sleep is during NREM. We may dream during NREM. Our breathing and heart rate become slow and regular. Our bodies are relatively still.
During REM sleep our breathing and heart rate become irregular and we may experience involuntary muscle jerks. REM sleep is when our intense dreams occur. Getting into REM sleep is an important stage in our sleep cycle.
Sleep stages are important because they allow the brain and body to recuperate and develop. If we do not get enough of both deep sleep and REM sleep we may begin to experience some of the profound consequences of insufficient sleep. Insufficient sleep can affect our thinking, emotions and physical health.
If you frequently awake up during early stages of sleep you may struggle to get into the deeper sleep stages. People with insomnia or sleep apnea may not get enough total sleep to accumulate the needed time in each stage.
Four Stages of Sleep
There are four levels of sleep and only one cycle of REM sleep. If we don’t get to Level 3, we’ll never get to Level 4.
- Stages of Sleep:
- Level 1 sleep is a transition period between sleep and wakefulness.
- Level 2 sleep features significant slowing of heartbeat and breathing, and makes up about 50 percent of all sleep.
- Level 3 (Delta) sleep are marked by very slow respiration and heartbeat.
- Level 4 Rapid eye movement (REM).
Dreaming is a normal part of healthy sleep. Good sleep is connected to better cognitive function and emotional health. And studies have also linked dreams to effective thinking, memory, and emotional processing. Many experts believe dreaming is either a reflection of or a contributor to quality sleep.
If you discover you are dreaming more vividly and remember your dreams better, than you are probably getting more of the deep sleep you need.
IASIS Microcurrent Neurofeedback sessions are a great way to get your nerves aligned for better sleep. Better sleep will help improve your overall health. If you struggle to sleep well, give us a call.