Everyone has different beliefs about how much sleep we need but the truth of the matter is that we are all different and therefore all need varying amounts of sleep to not be sleepy in the daytime. Is it a case that we need a full 8 hours or a length of time that is a multiple of 90 minutes?
When we sleep, a recurring cycle averaging 90 minutes occurs and is divided into two categories; non-REM (rapid eye movement) and REM sleep. The cycle will tend to be 65 minutes of normal, or non-REM sleep; 20 minutes of REM sleep (in which we dream); and a final 5 minutes of non-REM sleep. The key factor to a great night sleep is the number of these complete sleep cycles we enjoy.
Non-REM sleep can be divided into four phases; stage one is the light sleep where we are half awake and half asleep, stage two is true sleep the largest part of human sleep, stages three and four are deep sleep where the brain produces delta waves and there is limited muscle activity. The deep sleep stage is where some children experience bed-wetting, night terrors or sleepwalking.
REM sleep usually begins about 70 to 90 minutes after we fall asleep. We have around three to five REM episodes a night. At this stage the brain is extremely active, more so than when we are awake, our eyes dart around (hence the name) and our breathing rate and blood pressure rise. However, our bodies are effectively paralysed, said to be nature's way of preventing us from acting out our dreams.
1/2 hours, or 9 hours, but not after 7 or 8 hours, which are not multiples of 90 minutes.
Do you have a passion for health and fitness, we all know that sleep is an important part but what about everything else? Do you feel that you have the answers and could share these with people to help them on their fitness journey? If so then a course in personal training could be for you!