By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    learn to recognize and treat yeast infections
    Most Commonly Asked Questions About Yeast Infections
    November 17, 2021
    Advanced lung cancer diagnosis systems used by doctors
    Advanced Lung Cancer Diagnosis Systems Used by Doctors
    March 6, 2022
    The Top Benefits of a Wearable Blood Pressure Monitor Watch
    The Top Benefits of a Wearable Blood Pressure Monitor Watch
    June 13, 2022
    Latest News
    5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
    July 31, 2025
    Why Custom Telemedicine Apps Outperform Off‑the‑Shelf Solutions
    July 20, 2025
    How Probate Planning Shapes the Future of Your Estate and Family Care
    July 17, 2025
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Soaring Medical Costs Pinned on Medical Devices
    June 7, 2011
    Debt Ceiling Negotiations on Health Care are Mere Cost Shifting
    July 15, 2011
    Is Kathleen Sebelius Listening to the NCPA?
    August 29, 2011
    Latest News
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
    How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
    July 17, 2025
    How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
    July 17, 2025
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Understanding Sleep Anatomy For A More Restful Night
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Specialties > Understanding Sleep Anatomy For A More Restful Night
SpecialtiesWellness

Understanding Sleep Anatomy For A More Restful Night

Sean Mallon
Sean Mallon
Share
6 Min Read
SHARE

  Sleep is certainly important. Did you know that you spend nearly 33 percent of your life sleeping? That’s a lot of time spent in bed. Quality sleep, and getting the right amount of sleep, is almost as important to your mind and body as food and water. Sleep is essential to your brain’s most basic functions, like the ability to focus, respond quickly, and remember moments for long periods of time. The communication between nerve cells depends heavily on your sleep habits. If you get too little, or bad sleep, you could increase your risk for hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, depression, and heart disease. And heart disease is the number one cause of death in the US, according to the CDC. Sleep can essentially affect every tissue and system in your body, from metabolism to immune system. Yes, sleep is complex. But getting enough quality sleep is not as difficult as it may seem. It’s time to take a deeper look at sleep. The following may help you understand sleep anatomy a bit more before you head to mattress stores for a new bed, or rearrange your bedroom for optimal sleep.

Contents
REM And The 3 Stages Of Non-REM Sleep ExplainedREM SleepNon-REM SleepKnowing How Much Sleep You Need Is CriticalHere’s How To Get Great SleepIn Conclusion . . .

REM And The 3 Stages Of Non-REM Sleep Explained

When it comes to the anatomy of sleep, there are two basic types: Rapid Eye Movement (REM), or non-REM. REM is actually pretty straightforward. Non-REM on the other hand has 3 distinct stages. Interestingly, you go through REM and the different stages of non-REM sleep several times per night.

REM Sleep

During the first 90 minutes of falling asleep you will be in REM sleep. This is when your eyes move rapidly and your brain activity becomes very similar to that when you are awake. In REM sleep, your breathing will become rapid and irregular with your heart rate racing toward your resting heartbeat when you’re awake. REM sleep is also the time most dreams occur.

Non-REM Sleep

Once REM sleep is over, you switch from wakefulness to actual sleep, also known as non-REM sleep. This has three stages:

More Read

Lung Cancer Overview – Part 1 of 5
Cancer Therapy Gets Small for Humans — and Animals
90+ Population Growing
Orthopaedic Medicine Vital to Addressing Musculoskeletal Disorders [INFOGRAPHIC]
Five Ways to Banish Gym Apathy for Life
  • The first stage in non-REM sleep is the switch from REM. This stage can last minutes with your breathing and heart rate slowing. Your muscles also relax and your brain waves slow down as well.
  • The next stage of non-REM sleep involves a period of light sleep. Your heartbeat and breathing slows even more with muscles relaxing. This is the stage you spend most of your sleep cycles in.
  • The final stage of non-REM sleep is known as deep sleep. This is the type of sleep you need to feel ready to take on the day in the mornings. Deep sleep actually occurs more early on in your night’s sleep with heartbeat and breathing at their slowest and calmest points. If someone has a hard time waking you up, you are probably in the deep sleep stage.

Knowing How Much Sleep You Need Is Critical

There is no set amount of sleep you need to get during the entire duration of your life. In fact, the amount of sleep you need changes over time as you age. The golden rule of eight hours per night may not necessarily apply to everyone. For instance, babies sleep up to 18 hours per day to increase growth and development in the brain. However, adults may only need as little as seven hours of sleep per night. After 60 years of age, sleep can be even harder to get, since waking at night become a common occurance and medications can interrupt sleep patterns. The time in which we live is also playing a role in our sleep. Screen time, work responsibilities, and 24/7 activity can decrease the amount of sleep you get per night. To get the sleep you need, develop good habits like no screen time one hour prior to bedtime, have a bedtime, and get the amount of sleep you need to feel refreshed each morning.

Here’s How To Get Great Sleep

There are a few things you can do to get the best sleep you possibly can. Most of the time, you can employ new habits and start sleeping better within a week. Sometimes you need to make your bedroom a more sleep conducive environment. It all depends on what you’re doing now. Here are a few better sleep tips:

  • Go to bed and wake up at the same time every night
  • Get at least 30 minute of exercise per day
  • Relax before bedtime (reading, bath, music)
  • Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol before bedtime
  • Get a new mattress and bedding
  • Try aromatherapy in the bedroom

In Conclusion . . .

Understanding sleep anatomy is very important. Getting enough quality sleep can reduce your risk of chronic diseases, like heart disease and obesity, as well as keep you refreshed day after day. This can improve your mood and help you focus when it counts. Are you sleeping well?

TAGGED:restsleepsleep anatomysleep habitssleep healthsleep hygienesleep routine
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
Health
July 31, 2025
holistic dental
Holistic Dentist Services Are Natural and Safe
Dental health Specialties
July 28, 2025
botox certification
Help Improve People’s Skin Health Via Botox Certification
Skin Specialties
July 22, 2025
Telemedicine Apps
Why Custom Telemedicine Apps Outperform Off‑the‑Shelf Solutions
Health
July 20, 2025

You Might also Like

How to Prevent COPD Exacerbations Without Medication

October 3, 2013

Americans Living Longer But Are Less Healthy

August 23, 2013
PregnancySpecialties

Top Tips For Baby’s Brain Development

September 22, 2020
Wellness

3 Myths About Concussions

December 11, 2015
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?