The Basics of Sleep

Have you ever woken up after a full night’s sleep only to find yourself groggy, irritable, and not wanting to go anywhere but straight back to bed? Experiencing symptoms like moodiness, impaired mental capacity and decreased energy are bad enough after barely getting sleep, let alone getting what should be considered “enough”. This is where sleep cycles come into play.

Oddly enough, obtainment of that “refreshed” feeling after a good night’s rest relies heavily upon which part of the sleep cycle we humans awake during. Wake up during the wrong sleep phase, and a rocky day lies ahead. The body undergoes a series of transitions between REM (rapid eye movement) and NREM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep phases each night. There are approximately five phases that constitute each sleep cycle, and humans undergo an average of four to five sleep cycles per night.

Waking up during the correct sleep phase can be as simple as following a daily regimen that’s conducive to better sleep. Daily activities such as exercising during the first half of the day, obtaining a healthy amount of sun exposure, sticking to a routine sleep schedule, and practicing good sleep posture (you might even want to invest in a better mattress) are all great ways to “groom” yourself for a great night’s sleep. Ultimately, you’ll become more energized and alert, and will be better equipped to ward off pesky health conditions.

Basics of Sleep: Facts and Figures

Guest post by Michael David, an author currently residing in Austin, Texas, and founder of TastyPlacement.

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