Remaining in REM

Understanding REM Sleep: A Way to Restorative Rest 

Understanding sleep, we seem to always picture getting a good night's rest, having a dream or two, and waking up feeling replenished. However, sleep is much more intricate than meets the eye. One of those most complicated, yet interesting stages of our sleep cycle includes; REM sleep. REM sleep is the stage in our sleep cycle associated with dreaming, memory, and brain development. 

Understanding REM sleep

The sleep stage called “REM” is the fourth and final phase that we go through during a good night's rest. REM has been described as the most complex stage of our cycle because we dream, strengthen memories, and develop our brains. It can be described by relaxed muscles, irregular breathing, quick eye movement, and increased brain activity. In order to successfully go through REM sleep it will require you to be asleep for at least seven hours, because the stage of REM only lasts two.  

1. Why is REM so important

• Cognitive capability: During REM sleep, your brain prunes its synapses, this space is where brain cells communicate with one another. This has been proven to improve memory capacity and problem-solving capabilities. 

• Mood regulation: Getting enough REM sleep is necessary in order for one to have good emotional and mental processes. Without getting enough REM sleep it has been shown to lead to mood swings, anxiety, and increased irritability and anger. 

• Physical health: While not getting enough REM sleep mainly affects your emotional wellbeing, it can also play a major function when you don’t go through it as often as you may need. REM sleep can help regulate our immune systems and metabolism in order to prevent disease or unwanted illnesses. When you don’t get enough it can increase the risk of certain chronic conditions such as; obesity, diabetes, depression, and cardiovascular disease.

2. How can we improve our REM cycle

Here are some tips and tricks to improving your REM sleep cycle: Utilize these tips if you are having trouble getting enough sleep at night or if you wake up feeling not emotionally or physically refreshed.

Consistent Sleep schedule: Maintain a healthy consistent schedule. As humans we tend to have obstacles in our everyday lives that prevent us from regulating our sleep schedule or even keeping it consistent. Prioritize going to bed and waking up at the same time everyday in order to maintain a happy and healthy focus. Regulating your internal body clock is key when maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Limit stimulant products: Humans usually ingest some sort of caffeinated product at some point throughout the day whether that may be coffee or nicotine it is essential to not consume them within the hours leading up to your bedtime. These certain substances will interfere with your ability to reach REM sleep. 

Exercising daily: Daily physical activity not only will improve your physical and emotional health, but it affects your sleep more than you may think. Regular physical activity such as; walks, runs, sports, yoga, or workout classes will help you fall asleep faster and get deeper/more relaxing sleep. One common mistake people make is exercising too close to bedtime, getting overstimulated then having trouble falling asleep. Exercise a few hours prior to bedtime would be the best time to do it to ensure a proper night's rest.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the REM sleep stage isn't just a complex part of sleeping, it's really important for our health - Physically, mentally, and emotionally. REM sleep plays a crucial role in memory consolidation, emotional regulation, and overall cognitive function. By educating ourselves more about the importance of REM sleep and making a few changes to how we sleep, we can get overall a better night's rest. This helps us think more clearly, feel better emotionally/physically, and to maintain a way of life that will benefit us in the long run. So, when you get ready for bed, remember that those dreams you're having aren’t just something random that happens, they're essential for your well-being!

Written by Kaitlyn Fisher, November. 3rd, 9 PM EST