Learn, Share, Grow - REM Sleep

March 28, 2022

Below is a lesson from Whoop on REM sleep, as well as our key learnings.

The Blue Courage team is dedicated to continual learning and growth.  We have adopted a concept from Simon Sinek’s Start With Why team called “Learn, Share, Grow”.  We are constantly finding great articles, videos, and readings that have so much learning.  As we learn new and great things, this new knowledge should be shared for everyone to then grow from.

Everything you want to know about REM sleep

By: Mark Van Deusen

REM sleep, which means “rapid eye movement sleep,” is one of the 4 stages of sleep (along with light, deep and wake) that your body’s sleep cycles consist of. It is known as the “mentally restorative” stage of sleep when the brain converts short-term memories into long-term ones. Your brain is very active during REM sleep and it is when the most vivid dreams occur. 

REM sleep is the time when new learnings from the day are committed to long-term memory. Beyond the obvious value this has for anyone, it’s significant to athletes from the perspective of technical skills worked on or practiced that day–they are retained during REM sleep, so failing to get the proper amount at night can prevent you from seeing the benefits of your practice that day.

Continue reading here.

Key Learnings:

• There’s been research to suggest that when people are deprived of REM sleep they have trouble recollecting things they are taught before falling asleep.
• On average you’ll go through 3-5 REM cycles per night; for healthy adults, spending 20-25% of your time asleep in the REM stage is a good goal.     
• Not getting enough REM sleep can negatively impact your brain’s ability to learn and create new memories.
• Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to greater risk of obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, dementia, depression, cardiovascular disease and cancer.
• Improving your sleep habits and behaviors begins with simply making an effort to spend more time in bed. 
• Two big things to start to improve REM sleep - go to sleep and wake up at the same time everyday and avoid alcohol before bed.