Explore the world of sleep and discover the vital 4 stages of sleep, NREM sleep stages, and what happens in the REM stage. Understand their link with metabolic health, and how understanding your sleep cycle can improve your overall wellbeing.

Key Takeaways

• The stages of the sleep cycle are integral for optimal body functions like immunity, memory, emotional regulation and hormonal balance.
• Completing a sleep cycle, which includes four stages—three NREM and one REM—is vital for various essential processes like learning, decision-making, and problem-solving.
• Research shows that proper sleep, specifically the completion of the sleep cycle, aids in metabolic health and glucose control.
• Each stage of the sleep cycle has a unique role in maintaining overall health.

Sleep is more than just a period of rest; it's a crucial time for our bodies to heal, grow and process the day's experiences. As we transition through the four stages of sleep, various essential bodily functions are carried out, which can significantly improve our overall health.

Some of these key bodily functions include:

• Restorative functions: Repairing muscles and tissues, synthesising proteins and releasing growth hormones.
• Cognitive functions: Enhancing learning abilities, consolidating memory and boosting creativity.
• Emotional functions: Helping with emotional regulation, processing experiences and reducing stress.
• Physical functions: Aiding in energy conservation, reducing inflammation and supporting immunity.
• Metabolic functions: Regulating hormones affecting hunger and satiety, thus helping maintain a healthy weight.

What are the 4 stages of sleep?

Navigating through the stages of sleep is like setting off on a crucial journey each night. The stages of sleep go from light to deep sleep during the non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep stages, and then to REM sleep, where dreaming happens.

Each of these stages contributes differently to our health and wellbeing, making it crucial to complete each sleep cycle for optimal body functioning.

NREM Stage 1 Sleep

The first stage of the sleep cycle is a brief transition from wakefulness to sleep, characterised by slowing brain waves, heartbeat, eye movements and breathing. During this stage, your body and muscles relax in preparation for sleep. It usually lasts 70 to 100 minutes.

NREM Stage 2 Sleep

Accounting for around 50% of the total sleep time, NREM stage 2 is when the body temperature drops and eye movements gradually reduce and stop. The rhythmic brain waves produced in this stage aid memory integration, the process of filtering and processing the day. This NREM stage lasts for 90 minutes, or even up to 120 minutes for some people.

NREM Stage 3 Sleep

Also known as the deep sleep stage, this is the hardest stage to awaken from. NREM stage 3 lasts about 20 to 40 minutes, and during this stage, delta brain activity increases and you may experience some body movements. The body's repair systems start working, hormones are secreted, and significant detoxification and growth occur. This stage is essential for you to feel refreshed the next morning.

REM Sleep

Known as the dreaming stage, rapid eye movement or REM sleep is when your brain becomes highly active while your body is relaxed and immobilised. Emotional memory processing and formation occur during this stage, lending to the vivid dreams we often remember upon waking.

The importance of completing the sleep cycle

Every stage of the sleep cycle plays a unique role in maintaining your overall health and wellbeing. During each stage, various physiological processes take place that contribute to functions like memory consolidation, emotional regulation and metabolic health. When we don't complete the full sleep cycle, these functions can be disrupted or impaired.

Insufficient sleep can lead to various adverse health effects, particularly concerning metabolic health. According to a recent study, sleep deprivation can significantly impact metabolic processes. The study illustrates that lack of sleep can disrupt our body's internal biological clock, known as circadian rhythm, leading to metabolic disorders.

Here are some of the effects of insufficient sleep on metabolic health as noted in the study:

• Insulin Resistance: Lack of sleep can lead to insulin resistance, a condition in which cells fail to respond normally to insulin. This resistance can lead to increased blood sugar levels, resulting in a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
• Altered Glucose Metabolism: Inadequate sleep disrupts glucose metabolism, the process that provides cells with energy. This can lead to increased hunger and weight gain, increasing the risk of obesity and diabetes.
• Hormonal Imbalance: Hormones like leptin and ghrelin, which regulate feelings of hunger and satiety, can become imbalanced with insufficient sleep. This imbalance can contribute to overeating and weight gain, again impacting metabolic health.

So, in addition to getting enough sleep, it's important to complete the entire sleep cycle. Each stage contributes to the optimal functioning of our bodies, and any disruption can have cascading effects on our health, especially metabolic health.

The role of Vively in improving sleep and metabolic health

In our fast-paced world, keeping track of your sleep patterns can be challenging. Here's where Vively, the metabolic health app, can assist. Vively can help you monitor your sleep patterns and provide valuable insights to improve your sleep.

By helping you regulate your sleep, Vively can significantly contribute to improved glucose control, thereby boosting your metabolic health. Understanding your sleep cycle and making the necessary adjustments for better sleep can be your first step towards achieving optimal health.

Remember, sleep is not a luxury but a necessity. By honouring the four stages of your sleep cycle and seeking tools to get a good night's sleep, you can pave the way to greater health and vitality.