The Importance Of Getting Enough Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep

Rapid eye movement sleep (or REM sleep) is a stage of sleep when your brain converts short-term memories into the long-term bank. It is the fourth stage of sleep in our sleep cycle, and is most likely occurring when you have life-like dreams where your heart rate increases, your breathing quickens and your eyelids flutter.

REM sleep is important for both our physical and mental stamina and can lower the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, dementia, and depression and sleep disorders. Research also shows that REM sleep is tied to your cognitive health, including learning abilities and mood regulation.

It is therefore important to make sure we get a healthy amount of REM sleep. Each age group has different recommended hours of sleep. For example, adults should get between seven to nine hours of sleep with at least 20% of sleep in the REM stage, whereas infants will require a higher percentage.

The best way to naturally increase your REM sleep is to supercharge your sleep routine. This is as simple as having a consistent sleep and wake-up time, eating a healthy dinner and putting your phone and electronics away an hour before you hit the pillow.

The CPAP Clinic has a network of 40 clinics nationwide, and works in partnership with Centurion Healthcare, a Respiratory & Sleep Specialist clinic group to provide comprehensive sleep care including:

1. Respiratory & Sleep Specialist consultation – face-to-face and telehealth available

2. Sleep studies – in-lab, home and contactless sleep studies available.

Bulk billing available for specialist telehealth consultations as well as sleep studies. Medicare criteria apply. Call 1300 76 29 39 or email info@thecpapclinic.com.au for more information.