REM Sleep
REM stands for Rapid Eye Movement, and is the biological phenomenon that occurs when people dream. It is visible if the person who is sleeping is being observed, because essentially it is the eye moving around under the lid as it would do when the person was awake, if their eyes were open. Rapid Eye Movement occurs when a person is dreaming, and therefore in a very deep sleep. The speed at which the eye moves around shows the speed of the dream that they are having, and this provides a fascinating insight into sleeping patterns and behaviours for psychologists. By looking at the person who is sleeping, psychologists are now able to predict what they are dreaming about, for example if the eyes are moving vertically at a fast speed the dream is likely to involve a person throwing something. Dreams work in a cycle, and change approximately every hour and a half. This means that there will often be changes in sleep behaviour, as REM sleep is unlikely to occur throughout the night. Periods of deep sleep such as this go on and off, and some of the night will be taken up with a more fitful sleep, where the sleeper’s eyes will be still but they will move their body around more.
REM sleep is very important and is needed by everyone, as it is the point of very deep sleep. This complete rest is not given when people are not dreaming, or are moving around in bed. A soft and comfortable mattress means that it will be much easier for people to fall into REM sleep, and that they will therefore have many more dreams. They will wake up significantly more rested, even if they feel like they have slept as well as if they did not dream.
Permanent link to this post: REM Sleep
From the Snoring relief articles weblog
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