Your nightly sleep cycle plays a key role in the quality of your sleep. Here's what happens in each stage and why it matters ...

Researchers trace how different sleep stages may fine-tune what we remember, trading specifics for more general knowledge.

HOUSTON — A good night’s sleep is important for both the body and brain. It’s essential to understand the four stages of sleep and how to get more restful z’s. Stage 1: Transitional sleep The sleep ...

In general, most adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep per night. Someone who gets this recommended amount will generally go through between four and six sleep cycles (all of the sleep ...

Eat a balanced diet. You get lots of essential nutrients — like fiber and magnesium — from food. They can help support overall health, including energy levels and sleep. Focus on nutrient-rich whole ...

Using a simple tool like a sleep cycle calculator can help you pinpoint the optimal time for you to sleep and wake up. “Each stage of sleep plays a different role in promoting physical and mental ...

Sleeping for 7 to 9 hours at night isn't the only way to catch some z's. Here are four alternative sleep cycles -- and they're pretty obscure. Lara Vukelich Lara Vukelich is a freelance writer in San ...

We all know that particular sleepy sensation that we feel when we are tired or after a long day. Were you aware that this is the beginning of a whole complex cycle in our brains? Once we close our ...

We’ve all been there — dragging ourselves out of bed feeling like we’ve been hit by a truck despite getting a full night’s sleep. The alarm blares, and you wonder how eight hours of rest could ...

Our stories are reviewed by medical professionals to ensure you get the most accurate and useful information about your health and wellness. For more information, visit our medical review board. This ...

What happens in the brain and body during NREM and REM sleep As you sleep, your brain cycles through four stages of sleep. The first three are considered non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, also ...