The five Stages of Sleep

What occurs when you sleep? Is sleep just one constant pattern all night? No, there are five stages of sleep. The first four stages are considered nonREM and the last stage is REM sleeping.

• The first stage is between wakefulness and light sleep. It lasts only a few minutes.
• The heart rate slows and body temperature lowers during the second stage. Brain waves known as sleep spindles begin to occur.
• The third stage is where light sleep becomes deep sleep. The brain waves become deep and slow at this stage.
• Stage 4 is a deep sleep that only lasts for 30 minutes. The brain waves are very deep and slow.
• REM is stage five. In this stage dreams occur. The brain activity is increased and the body’s muscles are relaxed. Breathing becomes shallow and deep. There is rapid eye movement. This is the stage that Sleep Apnea patients never get to.

The body will go through these stages about 4 to 5 times a night.

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