SLEEP CYCLES

• The sleep cycle begins with wakefulness, where the individual is fully awake and
alert.
• Stage 1: Light sleep, characterized by drifting in and out of sleep and being easily
awakened.
• Stage 2: True sleep begins, characterized by slower brain waves, decreased body
temperature, and relaxation of muscles.
• Stage 3: Deep sleep, also known as slow-wave sleep (SWS), where the body
undergoes restorative processes such as tissue repair and growth.
• Stage 4: The deepest stage of sleep, where SWS continues, and it's diNicult to
wake the individual. This stage is crucial for physical renewal and recovery.
• REM Sleep: Rapid Eye Movement sleep, characterized by vivid dreaming,
increased brain activity, and muscle paralysis. REM sleep is associated with
cognitive processes, memory consolidation, and emotional regulation.
• After REM sleep, the cycle repeats, transitioning back to wakefulness before
entering another sleep cycle.