Sleep Cycles

Sleep cycles were first discovered in the 1950s, when electrodes were placed on the heads of sleepers and researchers monitored the recorded electrical activity throughout the night. What scientists discovered was that there were different types of sleep. We now know that deep sleep precedes periods of lighter sleep. In addition, the period of dreaming, known as REM, always comes at the end of a "sleep cycle."

In general, sleep cycles in people last about one and a half hours, which is why scientists say we sleep in multiples of 90 minutes. You can count the number of hours you sleep at night to see if this is true for you. Deep sleep repairs the body, whereas REM sleep repairs the mind. It is not uncommon to go to bed with a problem weighing heavily on your mind, only to dream about a solution to it during your resting hours.

Scientists still do not know as much about sleep cycles as they would like to know. However, scientists seem to unanimously agree that lack of sleep can cause both physical and mental health problems that can be devastating. It is imperative that the body and the mind have time to recover from the stresses of our waking hours. Getting too little sleep consistently can lead to irritability, forgetfulness, increased stress levels, and even depression.

The Importance of Sleep Cycles on Our Health

If you have ever heard a new parent talk about how he or she would give anything in the world for a full night's sleep, you can appreciate how distressful this feeling of unrest can be. When we are able to lose ourselves to sleep, our physical bodies can recover from any illnesses and/or injuries, and our minds can lapse into the unconscious for some much needed reprieve from the daily stresses of life. If you have difficulty sleeping, it would be a good idea to talk to your doctor about possible remedies to this serious problem. You may be able to get some relief through diet, exercise, and/or natural supplements.

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