In the world of sleep science, there are two main types of sleep: non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM). While REM sleep is often associated with dreaming, NREM sleep is just as important for physical and mental restoration.
During NREM sleep, the brain cycles through different stages. In stage 1, which lasts only a few minutes, you may feel like you’re half-awake and half-asleep. Your eyes move slowly and muscle activity slows down. In stage 2, your heart rate and breathing become more regular and your body temperature drops. Your brain waves also begin to slow down.
In stages 3 and 4, also known as deep NREM sleep or slow-wave sleep (SWS), your brain waves reach their slowest frequencies. This is when the body repairs itself physically by releasing growth hormones that help muscles recover from the day’s activities. This is also when memories are consolidated in the brain; research suggests that SWS helps to transfer information from short-term to long-term memory storage.
Getting enough NREM sleep is crucial for overall health and well-being. Studies have linked insufficient SWS with an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, anxiety disorders, and more.
So how can we improve our chances of getting quality NREM sleep? Establishing a consistent bedtime routine can help signal to our bodies that it’s time to wind down for the night. Avoiding caffeine late in the day and limiting screen time before bed can also make it easier to fall asleep quickly and stay asleep throughout the night.
While it may not be as flashy or exciting as its REM counterpart, NREM sleep plays an important role in keeping us healthy both physically and mentally. By prioritizing our nightly rest routines we can ensure our brains get all they need out of this critical phase of slumber!