What is REM Sleep and Why is it Important for Sleep Quality?

YOGYAKARTA - Have you heard of REM sleep? This term often comes up when discussing sleep quality and dreams, but not everyone really understands what it means. In fact, REM sleep is one of the stages of sleep that is very important for the health of the body and mind.

Many people feel they have been sleeping for a long time, but still wake up tired and less focused. One of the causes could be due to lack of sleep time in the REM sleep phase. So, what is REM sleep and why is it important? Let's discuss.

Quoted from SleepFoundation.org, REM sleep is an abbreviation for Rapid Eye Movement, which is one of the four stages of sleep. During REM sleep, brain activity increases and almost resembles the state of being awake. During this phase, dreams are usually more vivid, vivid, and emotional.

REM sleep was first discovered in the 1950s, when scientists studied baby sleep and observed a certain period when the baby's eyes moved quickly from side to side behind closed eyelids. From this rapid eye movement comes the term REM sleep.

Even though the brain is very active during REM sleep, most of the body's muscles actually experience temporary paralysis. Muscle paralysis during REM sleep is believed to be the body's natural protection mechanism. This prevents a person from moving or acting on the dreams experienced.

When you sleep at night, your body will go through four stages, each lasting about 90 to 120 minutes. The four stages include three non-REM sleep stages (light to deep) and one REM stage. Most REM sleep usually occurs in the second half of the night.

In the non-REM sleep stage, the body gradually becomes more relaxed, from light drowsiness (stage 1), deeper relaxation (stage 2), to deep sleep (stage 3). After that, it will usually enter the REM stage. The sequence of sleep stages is not always fixed, it is not uncommon for someone to return from deep sleep to light sleep before entering the REM phase.

REM sleep can be said to be the core of nighttime sleep activity. So, if you spend enough time in the REM stage, then you get a healthy night's sleep. REM sleep plays a role in many aspects of physical and mental health both in the short and long term.

One of them is on brain function and development. During REM sleep, the brain helps to clean up the cellular waste that accumulates during daily activities. This process supports concentration and thinking ability the next day.

REM sleep also plays a major role in emotion processing. Consistent REM sleep helps regulate our emotions and responses to difficult events, and REM sleep disorders have been linked to worse moods and mental health conditions such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

In addition, REM sleep contributes to memory consolidation. The brain reviews newly learned information and strengthens connections between nerve cells. This is the reason why getting enough sleep can improve learning and memory.

There are several things that can be done to increase REM sleep. First, ensure adequate sleep time. Adults are advised to sleep about seven to nine hours each night. If the sleep duration is too short, REM sleep time usually decreases.

Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule is also very important. Sleeping and waking up at the same time every day helps maintain the body's circadian rhythm. This rhythm plays a big role in regulating when REM sleep occurs.

Reducing exposure to artificial light at night can help the quality of REM sleep. The light from the lights and the screen of the gadget can interfere with the body's natural signals for sleep. A dark and quiet sleeping environment will support better quality sleep.

In addition, you need to manage stress. Excessive stress can disrupt the sleep cycle and reduce the duration of REM. Light relaxation before bed, such as reading or deep breathing, can help.

Finally, avoid consuming alcohol or certain drugs at night without medical advice, including sleeping pills. These substances can interfere with the natural sleep process. If sleep disorders continue, it is highly recommended to consult a doctor.

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