Did you know that one in three adults gets less than seven hours of sleep a night? Unfortunately, sleep deficiency can lead to serious health problems and cause accidents.
Yet, what if you are getting at least seven hours of sleep and still don’t feel rested? If that’s the case, poor sleep quality is likely the culprit.
So keep reading this post as we explain the different types of sleep you need and how to get high quality sleep that leaves you feeling refreshed!
What Are the Different Types of Sleep?
There are two types of rest- REM (rapid eye movement) sleep and non-REM sleep. Non-REM sleep has three separate cycles, and your brain experiences different activities during each of these.
- Stage 1: transition from wakefulness to sleep
- Stage 2: deeper sleep that lasts longer than any other stage
- Stage 3: most important for feeling well-rested
You enter REM sleep for the first time about ninety minutes after falling asleep. During this type of sleep, your brain waves are similar to during a wakeful state. And this is the stage in which most of your dreams happen.
Cycling through REM and non-REM sleep stages a few times each night is important for cognitive performance and indicates healthy sleep.
How to Improve Your Sleep Quality
Before you can take steps to improve your sleep, you need to identify some of the possible reasons you are sleeping poorly. Unfortunately, these could be medical, psychological, environmental, or a combination of several factors. Some examples include:
- Inadequate environment
- Unstable sleep schedule
- Sleep disorders
- Stress or anxiety
- High blood pressure
- Excess caffeine or alcohol consumption
Of course, you may need to visit a doctor to help you pinpoint the cause of your sleep issues, especially if they are health-related.
However, small changes can make all the difference if your poor sleep is due to your routine or health habits. For example, eating a healthy diet, exercising, and staying hydrated promote healthy sleep since they decrease your chances of waking up during important sleep stages.
But, no matter the cause of your sleep issues, you can use the following methods to better your health and sleep quality.
- Breathing exercises
- Guided meditation
- Following a bedtime routine
- Keeping a sleep diary
- Avoiding the use of electronic devices at night
You can also ask your doctor about supplements that can help you fall asleep or sleep more profoundly, such as herbal teas or CBN isolate powder.
Get a Better Night’s Sleep!
Understanding the different types of sleep is the first step to learning what your body needs to feel rested in the morning. So, make sure to follow the advice in this post and establish a healthy sleep schedule! Doing so can improve your quality of sleep and life for years to come!
Would you like to learn more health and wellness tips? If so, don’t leave before browsing related content!
