Sleep Cycle

The sleep cycle refers to the pattern of alternating stages of sleep that we experience during a sleep period. It consists mainly of Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep and Non-REM sleep, which includes light and deep sleep stages. These cycles typically last about 90 minutes and repeat several times per night. During non-REM sleep, your body relaxes and repairs itself, while REM sleep is when most dreaming occurs and your brain consolidates memories. Understanding sleep cycles helps explain why quality sleep involves both restorative deep sleep and REM dreaming phases, contributing to overall health and well-being.