| In general, the common notion of sleeping is simply a | | | | noises or petty disturbances. |
| daily activity that allows individuals to rest for about | | | | At Stage 2, a person's body temperature would |
| four to eight hours everyday. Medically speaking, | | | | decrease and his heart rate slows down. Soon after, |
| sleep is defined as the basic anabolic process that is | | | | his body would relax comfortably. Stage 3 and 4 |
| characterized with absolute minimum amount of | | | | would follow. These stages are actually where an |
| consciousness. This is also the time when a person is | | | | individual is in the state of deep sleep. |
| unresponsive to his surroundings. | | | | When a person entered the REM stage, dreaming |
| Medical experts have categorized sleep into five | | | | can actually take place. This is when there are |
| stages. These stages are further identified into two | | | | noticeable activities in the brain that causes eye |
| divisions - the REM (rapid eye movement stage) and | | | | movement. Body muscles tend to relax and there are |
| the non-REM stage. Technically, waking is also part of | | | | no major muscle activities. Because of the |
| the "sleep" cycle. | | | | hyperactivity of the brain and the relaxed and |
| The "waking" stage is the part where a person is | | | | comfortable stance of the body, dreaming usually |
| about to sleep. As one lies in bed, he or she has | | | | ensue. Brain activities are heightened during the REM |
| tense muscles due to all the daily activities and stress | | | | stage. Involuntary motions like facial movements, and |
| of the day. When an individual gets sleepier, his or | | | | muscles activities characterize this sleep cycle. It also |
| her body system, including muscles, would eventually | | | | often termed as paradoxical sleep. |
| slow down. The eyes would begin to move erratically. | | | | One's sleeping cycle may vary from one person to |
| For some people, the "waking stage" is unnecessary | | | | another. Sleeping disorders can actually be pinpointed |
| and would jump to Stage 1 right away. Stage 1 is | | | | by mere observations of one's sleeping cycle. |
| also known as "drowsiness" and lasts for about ten | | | | Physicians use polysomnograms to observe an |
| minutes. At this stage, the bodily activities are | | | | individual's sleeping cycle in order to properly |
| decreased by 50%. Most individuals would have their | | | | prescribed treatment and medication. |
| eyes close and can easily be awakened by outside | | | | |