Discover sleep stages and improve your rest quality

• The first stage (NREM) is the shortest stage of sleep, where falling asleep begins. The body relaxes, and brain activity starts to slow down. At this point, waking up is still easy because the sleep is shallow.
• The second stage (NREM) marks the entry into deep sleep, during which eye movements stop, and body temperature and heart rate slow down. This stage typically accounts for about 50% of total sleep.
• The third stage (NREM) is the deep sleep phase, where the body undergoes intense regeneration. During this time, the brain emits delta waves, making awakening more difficult. This is the most important stage for rest and recovery, thus vital for regeneration.

How long should each sleep stage last?

Sleep is divided into two main phases: nREM and REM. The nREM phase consists of four stages: the first stage (light sleep) lasts about 5-10 minutes, the second stage (deeper sleep) lasts about 20 minutes, and the third and fourth stages (deep sleep) together last around 30-60 minutes. On the other hand, the REM phase, during which dreams occur, lasts around 10 minutes during the first cycle but can extend to up to 60 minutes in later cycles. A full sleep cycle lasts about 90 minutes and repeats several times throughout the night.

Which is more important: REM or deep sleep?

Both phases are crucial for health. Deep sleep is responsible for physical recovery, growth, and cell repair. REM sleep, on the other hand, supports mental recovery, information processing, and memory consolidation. A deficiency in either phase can negatively affect health.

Which sleep stage is better to wake up in?

It is best to wake up at the beginning of a new sleep cycle, right after the REM phase when sleep is the lightest. Waking up during deep sleep (nREM) may lead to feelings of fatigue and disorientation.

Which sleep stage is the best?

There is no single "best" sleep stage. All stages are important and serve different functions. However, deep sleep (nREM) is essential for physical recovery, while REM sleep is key for mental and emotional health.

What time should you go to bed to wake up at 6:00 AM?

To wake up refreshed at 6:00 AM, it's best to go to bed in a way that allows you to complete full sleep cycles. Each cycle lasts about 90 minutes. The ideal times to fall asleep would be around 9:30 PM or 11:00 PM, allowing for 6-7.5 hours of sleep, which equals 4-5 full cycles.