The Importance Of Getting Enough Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep August 1, 2021 The Importance Of Getting Enough Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep Ever woken up from a vivid dream and wondered what your brain was actually doing while you slept? That dream almost certainly happened during rapid eye movement sleep, one of the most fascinating and important stages of your nightly rest. While all sleep matters, REM sleep does some particularly heavy lifting when it comes to keeping your brain sharp and your mood steady. What Actually Is REM Sleep? Each night, your body moves through several sleep cycles, each lasting roughly 90 minutes. REM sleep is the final stage in that cycle, and it looks pretty different from the rest. Your eyes dart back and forth beneath closed lids, your breathing and heart rate pick up, and your brain becomes almost as active as when you're wide awake. At the same time, your arms and legs are temporarily unable to move, which is thought to stop you from physically acting out your dreams. Your first REM episode of the night is usually short, just a few minutes long. As the night goes on, these episodes stretch out, with the longest stretches happening in the second half of your sleep. This is one reason a full night's sleep matters so much for REM movement and the benefits that come with it. Is REM Sleep Good For You? Here's Why It Matters So, is rem sleep good for your health? In short, yes, and in more ways than you might expect. During this stage, your brain gets busy clearing out cellular waste and strengthening the connections tied to memory and learning.1 This is thought to be a big part of why we wake up able to recall what we learned the day before. REM sleep also plays a role in processing emotional experiences, helping you respond to life's ups and downs with a bit more resilience.1 Most adults need around two hours of REM sleep each night.2 If you miss out one night, your body often tries to make up for it the next, spending longer in REM sleep to catch up. Getting More Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Good REM sleep starts with good sleep overall. Try keeping a consistent bedtime and wake time, cutting back on alcohol and caffeine in the evening, and dimming screens and bright lights before bed.1,2 Regular exercise, particularly earlier in the day, can also help support deeper, more restorative sleep over time.2 Conditions like insomnia and sleep apnea can quietly chip away at your REM sleep without you realising it, leaving you tired, foggy, and out of sorts during the day.1 If you're waking up exhausted despite a full night in bed, or you suspect something might be disrupting your sleep, it's worth having a chat with your doctor. Getting to the bottom of it could make a real difference to how you feel, think, and function every single day. How Sove CPAP Clinic Can Help Founded in 2008, Sove CPAP Clinic has grown to become a leading provider of respiratory and sleep services and products in Australia, with over 90 clinics nationwide. Our comprehensive clinical team includes Respiratory & Sleep Specialists, Sleep Technologists, and Treatment Consultants, ensuring that you receive comprehensive and personalised care. All medical procedures, including sleep studies and lung function testing, are bulk billed to all Australians, with minimal wait time. If you would like to speak to a Respiratory & Sleep Physician, book a bulk-billed sleep study, or seek advice for your sleep apnea, you can reach us at 1300 76 29 39 or info@thecpapclinic.com.au. References 1. Summer, J. (2024). REM Sleep: What It Is and Why It Matters. In Sleep Foundation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/stages-of-sleep/rem-sleep 2. Levine, H. (2024). REM sleep: What is it, why is it important, and how can you get more of it? - Harvard Health. In Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthy-aging-and-longevity/rem-sleep-what-is-it-why-is-it-important-and-how-can-you-get-more-of-it
