Sleep

By: Taylor Johnson, Megan Kirkpatrick, Nicole Colonna, and Alex Angeli

Sleep Cycle

An Introduction to SleepThe sleep/wake cycle is also

known as a person’s circadian rhythm and

consists of several 90 min cycles throughout the

night.

Stage 1Considered a transition period between awake

and asleep. This stage lasts around 5-10 minutes.

Light sleepTheta waves are producedMuscle Activity Slows DownThe ability to still be aware of surroundingsOccasional muscle twitching (Hypnic Jerk)

Stage 2Lasts for approximately 20 minutes as the

brain begins to produce sleep spindles.Breathing pattern slowsHeart rate slowsDecrease in body temperature

Stage 3This is a transitional period between light sleep

and deep sleep and lasts around 10 minutes.Deep sleep beginsSlow Delta Waves begin

Stage 4Referred to as delta sleep , this deep sleep lasts

around 30 minutes.Bedwetting and sleepwalkingStrong delta wavesRhythmic breathingLimited muscle activity

REMRapid Eye Movement refers to the most

productive stage of sleep. It lasts about 5-10 minutes.

Most dreaming occursHeart rate increasesBrain activity increasesVoluntary muscles become paralyzed

Normal Cycle Progression123432RE

M

23432REM

234REM

Sleep AbnormalitiesInsomniaSleep ApneaNarcolepsySleepwalkingNight Terrors

SourceBlair-Broeker, Charlie, and Randy Ernst.

Thinking about Psychology. Second ed. New York: Worth, 2003. Print