Which are the 5 different stages of sleep?

There are five stages of sleep and each stage has its own properties and benefits. Together, all stages enable our bodies to regenerate and rejuvenate themselves. Stage 1 This is the lightest stage of sleep, the transition phase, where you feel yourself drifting off. It requires typically five to 10 minutes, just enough to allow your body to slow down and your muscles to relax. Stage 2 The second stage of sleep is still considered light sleep. Your brain activity starts to slow down, as well as your heart rate and breathing. Body temperature fall a little and one begins to reach a state of total relaxation in preparation for the deeper sleep to come. Stage 3 Stage 3 sleep is the start of deep sleep, also known as slow wave sleep. During this stage brain waves are slow although there may still be short bursts of faster brain activity. Sudden awakening during this stage can make a person groggy and confused. Stage 4 Of the five stages of sleep, this is the one when one experiences deepest sleep of the night. Brain only shows slow wave activity, and it's difficult to wake someone up when they're in Stage 4 of sleep. It's during this stage children are most likely to suffer from bedwetting or sleep terrors. Stages 3 and 4 can last anywhere from 5 - 15 minutes each, but the first deep sleep of the night is more likely to be an hour or so. This is the time when the body does most of its repair work and regeneration. Stage 5 This is the stage of sleep when one dreams. It is also referred to as "active sleep" or REM sleep, which stands for the rapid eye movement. During REM sleep, blood flow, breathing, and brain activity increases. An EEG would show that your brain is about as active as it is when awake. Another aspect of Stage 5 sleep is that the muscles in your arms and legs will go through periods of paralysis. Scientists speculate that this may be nature's way of protecting us from acting out our dreams. The benefits of sleep impact nearly every area of daily life. While it may be obvious that sleep is beneficial, most people don't realize how much sleep they need and why it is so important. Body manages and requires sleep in much the same way that it regulates the need for eating, drinking, and breathing. Extensive research has been done on the effects of sleep. These studies consistently show that sleep plays a vital role in promoting physical health, longevity, and emotional well-being. This explains why, after a good night's sleep, we feel better, our thoughts are clearer, and emotions are less fragile. Without adequate sleep, judgment, mood, and ability to learn and retain information are weakened.