1. General Facts about Sleep and Dreams

2. General Facts
about 1/3 of our life is spent sleeping (approx. 25 years)
sleep is necessary to normal functioning
typically, 2 days w/o sleep is threshold
after 2days:
increased irritability & difficulty doing routine tasks
inattention, staring, trembling hands
increased sensitivity to pain

3. General Facts Circadian rhythms
body goes through cycles of different body functions (body is on a schedule)
ex. – digestion, breathing, consciousness, menstruation
sleep – 24 hour cycle
sleep patterns – vary from individual to individual
infants sleep more than adults
men sleep less than women on avg.
avg. length of sleep 7-8 hrs. (range 5 – 11)

4. Sleep Stages – based on levels of brain activity
Stage 1 – decreased awareness, light sleep
heart rate slows, muscles relax, and breathing evens
first 5-10 minutes
person may be unaware they were sleeping
Stage 2 – deepening sleep
continue loss of awareness
Heart rate, blood pressure, and body temp. continue to lower

5. Sleep Stages – based on levels of brain activity
Stage 3 – further deepening and loss of awareness
Stage 4 – deepest sleep
h.r., breathing, b.p., and body lowest point
reached after about an hour
if awakened, confused and unaware
Non – REM
stages 2, 3, &4
less vivid experiences (daydreaming)
helps body recover from fatigue
increases with physical activity

6. REM Sleep REM – Rapid Eye Movement about 25% of sleep
REM periods get longer with ea. cycle
Vivid dreams occur during this period
Brain activity, h.r., b.p., etc. increase
Mostly incapable of moving
REM increases with stress

7. Cycles of Sleep cycle lasts about 90 minutes
REM REM-2-etc
cycle lasts about 90 minutes
about 4-5 cycles a night with avg. sleep