We’ve all been there – eight hours in what seems to be a good nights rest, and yet you still wake up feeling like your alarm clock personally attacked you. The culprit? Not all sleep is created equal. It’s not just about how long you sleep, but how much quality sleep you actually get.
Enter the three stars of your nightly show: REM sleep, deep sleep, and core sleep.
REM sleep: Where your dreams take the stage
This is the sleep stage where your mind runs wild, weaving dreams and filing away the day’s events. Think of REM as your brain’s creative team, the dream factory – tidying up emotions, cementing memories, and sparking inspiration. Miss out on REM, and you might feel moody, forgetful, or just… off.
Deep sleep: Your body’s overnight spa
Deep sleep is when the heavy lifting happens for your body. Muscles repair, your immune system gears up, and you get that truly “out cold” feeling. It’s the stage that leaves you feeling physically restored. Without enough deep sleep, your body misses out on its nightly reset button.
Core sleep: The secret ingredient
Here’s where it gets good. Core sleep is the magical blend of REM and deep sleep—the true definition of rest. It’s not about clocking endless hours in bed or floating through light sleep, it’s about getting enough of these two essential stages to feel genuinely recharged.
Think of core sleep as the balance between body and mind:
- REM refuels your brain.
- Deep sleep repairs your body.
- Together, they make up core sleep—the real marker of a good night’s rest.
Why core sleep matters more than hours slept
You can snooze for 10 hours, but if you’re light on core sleep, you’ll still wake up groggy. On the flip side, even a shorter night can leave you surprisingly refreshed if you’ve hit your quota of core sleep. It’s the ultimate measure of whether you’ve actually rested—or just laid in bed.
How to get more core sleep
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Stick to a regular bedtime (your body loves routine).
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Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet.
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Say no to late-night caffeine and doomscrolling.
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Wind down with calming rituals—think reading, stretching, or a warm shower.
Core sleep is the gold standard of rest. It’s not just about time spent asleep, but about hitting that sweet spot of REM + deep sleep that makes you feel bright-eyed and ready for anything. Nail that, and mornings suddenly feel a lot brighter.
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