Description of sleep phases and their roles
A night's sleep is characterized by a succession of cycles (4 or 5 on average), lasting from 1h30 to 2h. Slow wave sleep phaseEach cycle begins with a period of slow wave sleep which lasts on average 1h10 to 1h40 and can be broken down into 4 phases of increasing depth
REM sleep phaseThis is followed by a period of very deep REM sleep, lasting between 10 and 15 minutes. The duration of REM sleep increases from one cycle to the next during the course of a night. Intermediate sleep phaseThis is followed by a very short pre-awakening period (less than 3 minutes). At this point, the sleeper will be very sensitive to external stimuli, but if no particular disturbance wakes him up, he will continue on a new cycle and will not remember this "micro-awakening" when he wakes up. |
What are the differences between the two types of sleep?
Slow wave sleep |
REM sleep |
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What is sleep for?
Sleep is not an interruption in the body's activity, but another form of activity! It is essential for recovering from physical and nervous fatigue. It is necessary for the growth and maturation of the nervous system in children.
Each of the two sleep phases has its own purpose:
Slow wave sleep |
REM sleep |
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