Everything about the sleep cycle and why it is so important

During sleep, you go through a number of different stages. Each 'sleep stage' is unique and has its own function. This sleep cycle always occurs in a fixed order. A complete sleep cycle lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours and consists of five of these sleep stages. You go through this about four to six times each night, depending on the duration of sleep and your sleep cycle.

Sleep phase 1: falling asleep phase

Phase one is the falling asleep phase. This phase ensures that you fall asleep. Your body hovers for a few minutes between wakefulness and sleep during this falling asleep phase. Your brain activity decreases during this time.

Do you suffer from falling asleep problems? This means that you do not easily enter this phase. Stress and worries are often the cause of this.

Sleep phase 2: light sleep

After the falling asleep phase, the light sleep phase begins. This phase lasts about an hour. In this phase, you sleep very lightly, as the name suggests. However, you also do not wake up from small sounds.

Sleep phase 3: transition phase

Phase three is the transition phase. A phase in which you - in 5 minutes - gradually fall into a deeper sleep. Your breathing becomes regular, your heart rate decreases, and your body relaxes.

Sleep phase 4: deep sleep

Eventually, you end up in your deep sleep phase. You are here for about 20 minutes. This phase is very important because your body rests in it. This phase of your sleep cycle is also called delta sleep or slow-wave sleep. In the deep sleep phase, your body recovers optimally and builds up energy for the next day.

Sleep phase 5: REM sleep

REM sleep or dream sleep follows after deep sleep. In this phase, you dream a lot, and your heart rate and breathing become irregular. Your muscles are still completely relaxed, but your blood pressure rises. In this phase, you process information. Additionally, some of your experiences are stored in your long-term memory.

After the fifth sleep phase (REM sleep), you (unconsciously) wake up for a brief moment. During this time, your body checks for any pain signals, whether you need to go to the bathroom, and if the environment is safe. If this is not the case, you wake up so you can take action. All good? Then you simply continue sleeping and start again at phase 1.

The consequences of a disrupted sleep cycle are diverse. For example, some people experience mood and concentration problems, while for others a poor sleep cycle results in eating disorders. A disturbed biological clock can also lead to psychiatric conditions, such as depression or psychosis. The physical consequences should not be underestimated either. Obesity is more common in people with a poor sleep cycle, as are cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and irritable bowel syndrome.

Do you want to stimulate your sleep cycle? Then a weighted blanket can be a good tool. A weighted blanket helps you fall asleep faster, sleep more soundly, and wake up more refreshed.

Sometimes it is very difficult to establish a rhythm in your sleep cycle. Especially if you are a night worker or have many irregular shifts. Whether you work during the day or at night, consistency is the most important thing for a good night's sleep.

This actually means that night workers can best permanently shift their rhythm. Always sleep during the day, then. By getting light at the right moments – in the hours after you wake up – your body can handle it.

When you work irregular hours, such as nurses or taxi drivers, it's good to maintain a consistent rhythm for a few days. For example, make sure you have a few evening shifts in a row. Constantly changing rhythms do not create an ideal sleep cycle, but your body will get used to it.

In this blog, you read all about your sleep cycle and how to best manage it.