Monday, March 21, 2011

How to sleep well by understanding the sleep cycle - Part 1

Many of us do not sleep well or have sleeping problems because we do not understand the sleep cycle. 

What is the sleep cycle?
Once you go to bed, you will soon fall into a deep sleep that lasts for the night. Then you will progress back into light sleep in the morning to wake up. Wrong!!

In reality, the sleep cycle is a lot more complicated.

Sleep is not simply a time when your body and brain shut off. In fact, your brain stays busy while you rest. Let me introduce you to the terms of NREM sleep and REM sleep, before we go any further into the sleep cycle. I will also go through the importance of the sleep cycle briefly as well.

Basically, there are two basic stages of sleep, which includes NREM sleep and REM sleep.
     
Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) Sleep

It is a deep restorative sleep (deep sleep), which consists of four stages of sleep.
o    Stage 1 - Transition to sleep
o    Stage 2 - Light sleep
o    Stage 3 - Deep sleep
o    Stage 4 - More intense deep sleep

     
Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep

It is a more alert stage (dream sleep). REM sleep is the final stage in sleeping, and this is a stage where you do most active dreaming.

Importance of the Sleep Cycle
Each stage of sleep plays a different part in preparing you for the day ahead. However, deep sleep in stage 3 and stage 4, and dreaming sleep are particularly important for your body and mind. Deep sleep renews the body; REM sleep renews the mind.

REM sleep is the most restorative part of sleep. Your mind is refreshed and emotions are fine tuned in REM sleep. REM sleep plays a key role in learning and memory. Besides, it replenishes the feel-good chemical that boosts your mood during the day.

Note that the most damaging effects of sleep deprivation are from inadequate deep sleep. If you do not spend enough hours for deep sleep, your body will try to make it up first, at the expense of REM sleep.
To be continued .......

Besides, having a complete knowledge of how-to sleep well, sleep pattern and sleep disorder, arranging your bedroom and having your bedroom layout designed to appropriate Feng Shui principles will help you to achieve restful sleep and overcome your sleeping problems for a healthier life.

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese wisdom handed down by the ancestors of the Chinese. It is a living skill in use by the Chinese emperors for many centuries. In those days the practice of Feng Shui by commoners were forbidden.

Today, Feng Shui is not only practiced by Chinese people, but, by all races throughout the world. Feng Shui is an ancient art of placement and living in harmony with the environment. It is not a religious practice, not a spiritual practice nor a magical practice.

For more information about bedroom feng shui arrangement, visit : http://www.1fengshui.com/bedroom_feng_shui.htm



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