What are the Benefits of REM Sleep?

“Human beings are the only species that deliberately deprive themselves of sleep for no apparent gain…Many people walk through their lives in an underslept state, not realizing it.” ~ Dr. Matthew Walker

There are many benefits to getting a good night of sleep. Specifically, getting REM sleep is vital for our productivity and ability to concentrate and focus.

In the following read, we will look at the benefits of REM Sleep and why it is essential.

Before doing so, let us review what REM Sleep is.

What is REM Sleep?

REM Sleep stands for Rapid Eye Movement Sleep. It is part of the sleep cycle that the average person goes through.

REM Sleep is one of the different stages of sleep that is done every 90 minutes. Typically, Deep Sleep (sleep related to our physical recovery) and Light Sleep (when we are beginning to fall asleep or when we are in a state of being able to wake up easily) are the other stages that will occur every 90-minutes.

REM Sleep is associated with our dreaming and memory consolidation. REM Sleep happens in intervals throughout the night, but it especially kicks in towards the end of our sleep.

The last few hours of sleep are imperative, as REM Sleep is associated with much of our mood and how we feel the following day.

What are the Benefits of REM Sleep?

There are many benefits of getting good REM Sleep. Some of these benefits include:

1. Energy restoration.
2. Increased memory.
3. Enhanced ability to focus.
4. Greater emotional processing and clarity.
5. Continued healthy brain development.

When we have poor REM Sleep, we are more susceptible to feeling agitated, irritated, anxious, fearful, discouraged, or depressed.

Getting good REM Sleep is essential for those who want to live out each day to the fullest - not necessarily in body but in mind.

For many, getting a good night’s sleep is the difference between a good or a bad day.

When we get a good night’s rest and get good REM Sleep, we can be much more balanced when problems arise. What would affect us dramatically becomes easier to handle.

Sadly, many have entered a “new norm” of not getting enough sleep. When this occurs, our bodies eventually begin to think that how we feel is how we have always been. Realistically, this is not the case. We can always get better sleep when we strive to make it a priority!

Conclusion

We must get good REM Sleep! By doing so, we will be able to:

1. Remember the good moments shared with loved ones and friends.
2. Remember new skills and facts that we learned the previous day(s).
3. Have clarity when contributing to a discussion.
4. Have the mental fortitude to handle the pressures of the day.

May we strive to make sleep a priority! NREM Sleep and REM Sleep are essential, but we cannot have one without the other.

We must strive to build a strong basis of being asleep for 8 hours each night, lest we feel tired, forgetful, and confused the following day.

Here’s to getting a great night of sleep!