The Sleep Cycle

Provided it is undisturbed, everyone's sleep is regulated by their individual sleep cycle. Cycles average about 90 minutes each. When we go to sleep, we drop on a sharp curve directly into Delta. We remain in Delta most of the first cycle, moving up into Alpha only the last 5 to 8 minutes. During each succeeding cycle, the Alpha phase doubles over the preceding cycle, i.e., 5 to 8 minutes, 10 to 15 minutes, 20 to 30, 40 to 60, 80 to ?  At the same time, the Delta sleep is concentrated during the first part of the sleep and decreases on direct proportion with the increase in Alpha.

The Importance of Undisturbed Sleep It is easy to see why it is important to sleep as undisturbed as possible. If Delta sleep is disturbed, the growth hormone may never be produced in sufficient quantities to allow growth and rejuvenation. Good heavens! We could age before our time! On the other hand, if Alpha sleep is disturbed, we never properly recharge our mental batteries. How Quality Sleep Adds to Your Life Consistent good sleep helps your mind and body deal better with the tensions of life. It helps in the performance of mental and physical tasks. It helps ward off illness by keeping up resistance to infection. It helps reduce psychological problems by giving you the ability to handle your emotions better. You even look better because it refreshes your body and improves your disposition. How Poor Sleep Detracts From Your Life When you awaken from a night of low quality sleep - even 8 hours of it - you feel unrefreshed, unenergetic, unprepared to meet the tasks of the day. Your productivity suffers. Your resistance to infection is down. Night after night of poor sleep can result in psychosomatic ailments, anxiety, neurosis, and difficulties in interpersonal relationships. It often goes hand in hand with mental illness. It leads to emotional instability, decreased daytime inefficiency, even a slow reaction time which can result in an accident.

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