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REM Sleep: How Much Do You Need and How Do You Get It?
REM Sleep 101: How much do you need and how do you get it?
Wondering why you always wake up tired? Discover the secrets of REM sleep: how much you need and how to get it, for better quality sleep.
You wake up feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to take on the day…
Sound like a distant dream? You’re not alone. According to a YouGov Survey, 76% of women and 59% of men say they wake up feeling tired.
If you’re not getting enough sleep, then it’s easy to see where the problem lies. BUT if you are getting in your 8 hours (or more!) and you’re still waking up sluggish, then this article is for you.
It might not be the quantity of your sleep that’s the issue, it could be the quality. That’s where REM sleep comes in. Also known as rapid eye movement sleep, this crucial stage of sleep plays a significant role in our overall well-being.
In this article, we dive deep into the dreamy world of REM sleep, how much you need, and how you can get it.
When you sleep, Your body and brain go through 90-minute cycles made up of stages that can be split into non-rem sleep (NREM) and REM sleep.
Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep is the last, and arguably most important, phase in the sleep cycle, characterised by vivid dreams, increased brain activity, and, as the name suggests, rapid eye movements.
Though your body is out for the count in this stage, your brain is highly active, processing emotions and consolidating memories. It’s the VIP section of sleep, crucial for cognitive function, emotional well-being, and overall health.
(Bonus: it’s also when you dream!)
As with anything wellness-related, there’s no one-size-fits-all with REM sleep. Some people will need more, others less, and it will fluctuate throughout your lifetime.
That said, for the typical adult around 2 hours of REM sleep a night should suffice.
Skimping of REM sleep has been linked to memory problems, so if you want to stop forgetting your keys and keep your brain sharp, it’s time to improve the quality of your sleep.
Since the sleep cycle is all about timings, you can give it a helping hand by getting to bed and waking up at the same time each night. This helps regulate your body's internal clock, promoting a more balanced sleep cycle that includes sufficient REM sleep.
Unfortunately, transitioning into your sleep cycle isn’t as simple as flicking a switch. To signal to your body and brain it’s time to prepare for sleep, create a bedtime routine.
Don’t have the time? Here’s our easy bedtime routine guide for busy people like you. Your routine doesn’t have to be lengthy and elaborate, it can be as simple as a couple of spritz of a Sleep Better Body & Pillow Mist or listening to calming sleep music.
Exposure to screens emitting blue light before bedtime can affect the production of melatonin, the hormone that sets your sleep cycle in motion. Try to avoid screens an hour before you go to bed so you’re not throwing a spanner in your sleep cycle’s works.
If you’ve ever had a caffeine, sugar, or nicotine hit in the day, then you can imagine how that affects your sleep cycle when they’re consumed just before bed. Try to avoid consuming any substances that come with a spike and slump too close to bedtime.
Hopefully this blog has shown you that sleep is about more than just getting the hours in. It’s about considering the quality of your sleep and whether you’re getting enough REM Sleep.
If you’re looking for more sleep tips, check out our Expert Sleep Articles or try our Sleep Better range for essential oil rituals crafted to help you find tranquil rest.
Wondering why you always wake up tired? Discover the secrets of REM sleep: how much you need and how to get it, for better quality sleep.
You wake up feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to take on the day…
Sound like a distant dream? You’re not alone. According to a YouGov Survey, 76% of women and 59% of men say they wake up feeling tired.
If you’re not getting enough sleep, then it’s easy to see where the problem lies. BUT if you are getting in your 8 hours (or more!) and you’re still waking up sluggish, then this article is for you.
It might not be the quantity of your sleep that’s the issue, it could be the quality. That’s where REM sleep comes in. Also known as rapid eye movement sleep, this crucial stage of sleep plays a significant role in our overall well-being.
In this article, we dive deep into the dreamy world of REM sleep, how much you need, and how you can get it.
REM Sleep: What is it, and why is it important?
When you sleep, Your body and brain go through 90-minute cycles made up of stages that can be split into non-rem sleep (NREM) and REM sleep.
Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep is the last, and arguably most important, phase in the sleep cycle, characterised by vivid dreams, increased brain activity, and, as the name suggests, rapid eye movements.
Though your body is out for the count in this stage, your brain is highly active, processing emotions and consolidating memories. It’s the VIP section of sleep, crucial for cognitive function, emotional well-being, and overall health.
(Bonus: it’s also when you dream!)
How much REM sleep do you need?
As with anything wellness-related, there’s no one-size-fits-all with REM sleep. Some people will need more, others less, and it will fluctuate throughout your lifetime.
That said, for the typical adult around 2 hours of REM sleep a night should suffice.
Skimping of REM sleep has been linked to memory problems, so if you want to stop forgetting your keys and keep your brain sharp, it’s time to improve the quality of your sleep.
Tips to get enough REM sleep
Set a bedtime and waketime (and stick to it!)
Since the sleep cycle is all about timings, you can give it a helping hand by getting to bed and waking up at the same time each night. This helps regulate your body's internal clock, promoting a more balanced sleep cycle that includes sufficient REM sleep.
Prepare for a smooth transition from wakefulness to sleep
Unfortunately, transitioning into your sleep cycle isn’t as simple as flicking a switch. To signal to your body and brain it’s time to prepare for sleep, create a bedtime routine.
Don’t have the time? Here’s our easy bedtime routine guide for busy people like you. Your routine doesn’t have to be lengthy and elaborate, it can be as simple as a couple of spritz of a Sleep Better Body & Pillow Mist or listening to calming sleep music.
Have some screen-free time
Exposure to screens emitting blue light before bedtime can affect the production of melatonin, the hormone that sets your sleep cycle in motion. Try to avoid screens an hour before you go to bed so you’re not throwing a spanner in your sleep cycle’s works.
Avoid foods and drinks that come with ‘spikes’
If you’ve ever had a caffeine, sugar, or nicotine hit in the day, then you can imagine how that affects your sleep cycle when they’re consumed just before bed. Try to avoid consuming any substances that come with a spike and slump too close to bedtime.
Sleep Better with Tisserand
Hopefully this blog has shown you that sleep is about more than just getting the hours in. It’s about considering the quality of your sleep and whether you’re getting enough REM Sleep.
If you’re looking for more sleep tips, check out our Expert Sleep Articles or try our Sleep Better range for essential oil rituals crafted to help you find tranquil rest.
