While REM sleep is most often associated with the subject of dreaming, there is much more to this all-important stage of sleep than dreams.
As the brain regions specific to learning are stimulated during REM sleep, this is one factor which makes this particular stage of sleep so important.
In infants, whose REM stage is significantly more pronounced, the simple act of sleeping greatly contributes to the child's brain development.
Do not make the mistake of concluding that this factor in REM sleep is not relevant to older youth and adults, however, as being deprived of adequate REM sleep lessens the person's ability to learn and recall various types of mental skills.
During REM sleep, changes occur in one's physiological states.
While the muscles undergo a temporary paralysis, the vital signs such as breathing and heart rate increase.
As a person becomes older, the percentage of his sleep that is REM sleep lessens.
In addition, many people tend to sleep fewer hours in their older years.
However, neither point should be taken to mean that sleep in general, nor REM sleep specifically, is no longer important simply due to a person's aging status.
Elderly persons not only need an adequate amount of sleep in order to keep their physical health and mental capacities in peak condition, but they need the quality of all of the stages of sleep.
While an elderly person may not have the brain-development needs of a youngster, REM sleep continues to be essential even throughout the elderly years.
There are a few important keys in making the most of your REM sleep.
The best way to ensure that you have quality REM sleep is for your sleep to not be unnecessarily interrupted.
REM, as well as your other stages of sleep, is most likely to proceed smoothly if you are able to fall asleep easily.
When you have difficulty falling asleep, your sleep will not be as comfortable, and you will not be as well-rested when you awaken.
So, make sure your sleep environment is peaceful.
Block out noise, wear a sleep mask and take a nice warm bath to put you in a relaxed state of mind.
If you want the sparkling good health and pleasant disposition gained from a habit of restful sleep, you can have these and sweet dreams as well.
When you give yourself the time to make a good night's sleep a regular part of your lifestyle, you will soon see that this priority is one of the best decisions you can possibly make.
As the brain regions specific to learning are stimulated during REM sleep, this is one factor which makes this particular stage of sleep so important.
In infants, whose REM stage is significantly more pronounced, the simple act of sleeping greatly contributes to the child's brain development.
Do not make the mistake of concluding that this factor in REM sleep is not relevant to older youth and adults, however, as being deprived of adequate REM sleep lessens the person's ability to learn and recall various types of mental skills.
During REM sleep, changes occur in one's physiological states.
While the muscles undergo a temporary paralysis, the vital signs such as breathing and heart rate increase.
As a person becomes older, the percentage of his sleep that is REM sleep lessens.
In addition, many people tend to sleep fewer hours in their older years.
However, neither point should be taken to mean that sleep in general, nor REM sleep specifically, is no longer important simply due to a person's aging status.
Elderly persons not only need an adequate amount of sleep in order to keep their physical health and mental capacities in peak condition, but they need the quality of all of the stages of sleep.
While an elderly person may not have the brain-development needs of a youngster, REM sleep continues to be essential even throughout the elderly years.
There are a few important keys in making the most of your REM sleep.
The best way to ensure that you have quality REM sleep is for your sleep to not be unnecessarily interrupted.
REM, as well as your other stages of sleep, is most likely to proceed smoothly if you are able to fall asleep easily.
When you have difficulty falling asleep, your sleep will not be as comfortable, and you will not be as well-rested when you awaken.
So, make sure your sleep environment is peaceful.
Block out noise, wear a sleep mask and take a nice warm bath to put you in a relaxed state of mind.
If you want the sparkling good health and pleasant disposition gained from a habit of restful sleep, you can have these and sweet dreams as well.
When you give yourself the time to make a good night's sleep a regular part of your lifestyle, you will soon see that this priority is one of the best decisions you can possibly make.
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