{"id":699,"date":"2021-07-15T17:55:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-15T17:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bghdental.com\/blog\/?p=699"},"modified":"2022-08-09T21:54:11","modified_gmt":"2022-08-09T21:54:11","slug":"importance-of-stages-of-sleep","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bghdental.com\/blog\/importance-of-stages-of-sleep\/","title":{"rendered":"Stages of Sleep: What Happens to Your Body Every Night?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Have you thought about what happens while you\u2019re asleep? To the outside observer, it may look like there\u2019s nothing much going on, but the truth is that you are actively undergoing the different stages of sleep. By completing these stages (which are collectively known as the sleep cycle) multiple times every night, your mind and body are able to recover from the previous day\u2019s activities so that you wake up feeling fully refreshed. This post explores the different stages of sleep and why it\u2019s important for them to remain uninterrupted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Stage 1 and Stage 2: Light Sleep<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whenever you fall asleep, you always begin the sleep cycle at stage 1 no matter how tired you are. At this stage, eye movements are beginning to slow down, and the body is still somewhat alert. This is the point where you can be most easily awakened by outside stimuli, although it normally only lasts a few minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At stage 2, body temperature drops, muscles relax, and your breathing and heart rate start to slow down. The brain starts producing special waves called sleep spindles that are thought to help you resist early awakenings. Stage 2 can take up roughly half the sleep cycle, and it tends to get longer as the night goes on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stage 3: Deep Sleep<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The body relaxes even further once it reaches stage 3 and becomes much harder to wake up. This stage is the point where any muscles or tissues that were damaged during the day are repaired, the immune system is bolstered, and the cells regain energy. There is also evidence that deep sleep contributes to mental functions such as creativity and memory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stage 4: REM Sleep<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The final stage is called REM sleep, or \u201crapid-eye movement sleep\u201d based on the way the eyes begin to move quickly in various directions. At this point, the brain starts consolidating new information, committing it to long term memory. In other words, this stage of sleep is crucial for learning. Also, while dreams can occur during any sleep stage, they are more common and intense during REM sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Happens if the Sleep Stages are Interrupted?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Failure to spend enough time in deep sleep and REM sleep can hinder your physical and cognitive health. As such, if you are frequently awakened during the early stages of sleep by sleep apnea<\/a> or another disorder, your health may suffer as a result of the sleep cycle being interrupted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are you getting the quality sleep you need, or do you suspect that your rest is being disrupted? Talk to your sleep dentist today if you have any doubts; the sooner you can retake control of the sleep cycle, the easier it will be to enjoy a full night\u2019s rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About BGH Dental<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Here at BGH Dental in Greenfield, we want everyone who walks through our doors to feel like they\u2019re part of the dental family, which is why every procedure is performed with a gentle touch by a caring dental expert. We offer oral appliances as a way to treat sleep apnea without the use of a CPAP machine. If you believe you have a sleep disorder that\u2019s interrupting your rest during the night, visit our website<\/a> or call (413) 772-0842.<\/p>\n\r\n