Introduction

Sleep is a naturally occurring phenomenon where the body and the mind are characterized by altered consciousness but reduced muscle activity. Sleep is considered important as it revives the body and restores different systems of the body. It is also considered a great healing agent as it heals different body ailments while one is asleep. Memory, mood, and other cognitive function of the body is also maintained while one is fast asleep.

Despite the fact that sleep is one of the most important parts of maintaining good health, many struggle to get the deep sleep that their body needs on a nightly basis. Not only can a lack of sleep leave you feeling groggy and exhausted in the short term, but in the long term there can be many serious side effects, like an increased risk for heart disease and stroke as well. The good news is, though, that there are many simple things you can begin doing today to help improve your sleep quantity and quality.

Cycles/Stages of Sleep

Most of us have heard of REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. This is a stage of sleep when we dream. Many of us don't remember our dreams when we wake but we all dream. If someone wakes you while you're in the REM stage of sleep, you would probably remember what you were just dreaming about. A person who happens to be watching you while you're asleep will know you're in REM sleep by the movement of your eyes beneath your eyelids.

Getting enough sleep is an issue for many, no matter what their lifestyle is. What can make matters even worse is that getting poor sleep can leave you feeling exhausted and out of it, which is the last thing that you might want in today's busy and fast-paced world. While life can get in the way of getting a good night's rest at times, the reality is that it can be easy to improve the quality and quantity of sleep you get with a few tips.