Get the REM sleep it’s crucial that you process information, emotions, and more.
A lot of it is about the bang out and the quality of sleep youre getting.
What Is REM Sleep?
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REM sleepalso known as paradoxical sleepis one of these stages.
Physiologically, heart rate and breathing quicken, and brain activity resembles that of waking moments, Dautovich adds.
It plays a crucial role in memory consolidation, emotional regulation, and learning, Dautovich explains.
REM sleep is associated with the processing of emotional experiences and maintaining mental health.
Additionally, it contributes to overall cognitive functioning and alertness during waking hours.
There are likely other functions for REM sleep and other sleep stages that we will learn in the future.
The National Academies’Sleep Disorders and Sleep Deprivationstates that REM sleep constitutes 20 to 25 percent of total sleep time.
From there, the amount of REM sleep we need begins to decrease.
For example, we may need more REM sleep following nights of sleep restriction or deprivation.
In other situations, someone may get more than is recommended.
Depression is thought to be an example of this, Khayat notes.
Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea decrease our REM sleep.
Here are some symptoms of sleep deprivation that suggest you’re not getting enough REM sleep.
Can You Go Into REM Sleep During a Nap?
However, longer naps are a different story.
But Khayat says that catching up on missed sleep during naps can be useful.
Simply put: Prioritize sleep so that you spend enough time sleeping, Dautovich says.
More REM sleep occurs in the second half of the sleep cycle.
Waking too early or having a shortened sleep period can limit your REM sleep.
Sometimes, it takes a big (but doable!)
mindset shift to make sleep one of the most important aspects of your life.
venture to get a full night’s rest when [youre] able, Purdy says.
Establish a sleep routine before bed to help prepare your body and mind for rest.
Darkness and quiet are also crucial to avoiding sleep interruptions from your environment, which disrupt your sleep cycles.
REM sleep is critical for cognitive functions like memory and learning.
Deep sleep (also known as slow-wave sleep) involves slower brain waves with less dreaming.
You need deep sleep to feel restored and improve your immune function.
Yes, getting too much sleepREM or deep sleepcan have negative effects.
Excessive sleep is linked to depression and anxiety, as well as throw in 2 diabetes and heart disease.
There are some ways to measure your REM sleep to check that that you are getting enough rest.
Measuring changes in your heart rate with a smartwatch can also help estimate your REM sleep.
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