A sleep cycle consists of five distinct phases:
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Stage 1
This is light sleep characterized by slow eye movements and reduced muscle activity. It makes up about 4 to 5 percent of your total sleep.
Stage 2
During this phase, eye movements cease, brain waves slow down, and you experience occasional bursts of rapid brain activity known as sleep spindles.
This stage accounts for approximately 45 to 55 percent of your total sleep.
Stage 3
Here, extremely slow brain waves called delta waves start to emerge, mixed with smaller, faster waves.
This stage comprises 4 to 6 percent of total sleep.
Stage 4
In this stage, delta waves dominate almost entirely.
It is challenging to wake someone during stages 3 and 4, which together are referred to as “deep sleep.”
There is no eye movement or muscle activity, and waking up during deep sleep often leads to disorientation for several minutes.
This stage constitutes 12 to 15 percent of total sleep.
Stage 5
Known as rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, this phase involves rapid, irregular breathing, quick eye movements in various directions, and temporary muscle paralysis.
During REM sleep, heart rate and blood pressure increase, and males may experience penile erections.
Dreams, often vivid and illogical, occur during this stage, which makes up 20 to 25 percent of total sleep time.
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