Sleep Cycle, REM, Circadian rhythm
Module 5 Lesson 1 Trista Heath
Sleep Cycle
Stage One- This introduction to sleep is relatively brief, lasting up to seven minutes. Here, you are in light stage sleep, which means that you’re somewhat alert and can be easily woken. It’s during this stage of sleep that people often indulge in brief “catnaps.”
Stage Two- During this stage, which is also fairly light, the brain produces sudden
increases in brain wave frequency known as sleep spindles. Then brain waves slow down. If you were to schedule a "power nap" you would want to wake up after this stage.
Stages Three and Four- This stage is the beginning of deep sleep, as the brain begins producing slower delta waves. At this point, it becomes a little harder for you to be awakened, because your body becomes less responsive to outside stimuli.It’s most difficult to wake up during this stage. This is when the body repairs muscles and tissues, stimulates growth and development, boosts immune function, and builds up energy for the next day.
REM
REM- This is when most dreaming occurs, your eyes jerk quickly in different directions, heart rate and blood pressure increase, and breathing becomes fast, irregular, and shallow. REM sleep plays an important role in learning and memory function, since this is when your brain consolidates and processes information from the day before so that it can be stored in your long-term memory
Circadian rhythm
Circadian rhythm- Your circadian rhythm (also known as your sleep/wake cycle or body clock) is a natural, internal system that’s designed to regulate feelings of sleepiness and wakefulness over a 24-hour period.Your circadian rhythm causes your level of wakefulness to rise and dip throughout the day.