Sleep, essential to the proper balance of the body!

Over a period of 24 hours, we alternate phases of sleep and wakefulness. Sleep is a fundamental physiological need to which one-third of our lives are devoted.

It is essential for growth, cell development and preservation of cognitive abilities, but also for the body to rest and recover (physically, psychologically and intellectually).

RESTFUL SLEEP, A TIME TO RESPECT...

The number of hours of sleep changes constantly with age. While a newborn sleeps 16 hours a day, an adult needs an average of 8 hours of sleep.

But the ideal duration is unique to each. If you wake up in shape, it means you have slept enough.

For some ("short sleeper"), less than 5 hours sleep will suffice, while for others ("long sleeper"), more than 10 hours of sleep will be necessary.

A SUCCESSION OF CYCLES...

Sleep is built on a succession of cycles (4 to 6 cycles per night). Each cycle lasts on average 60 to 90 minutes and is divided into 2 states: slow sleep and paradoxical sleep.

Slow sleep: 75 to 80% of total sleep time. Divided into 4 stages of increasing depth, this state allows our body and our brain to rest.

Paradoxical sleep: 20 to 25% of the total sleep time. Paradoxical sleep is characterized by abolished muscle tone but intense brain activity. Also called REM or Rapid Eye Movement sleep, it is accompanied by rapid eye movements. It often ends with a brief movement: the sleeper starts a new cycle or wakes up.

As the night progresses, the stages of slow light sleep (1 and 2) and of paradoxical sleep (5) lengthen, while the stages of slow deep sleep (3 and 4) decrease.

Source: Lescuyer Laboratory