Sleep tracking is on the rise – and with this new fascination in sleep monitoring comes a wealth of questions around sleep habits, sleep depth, sleep hygiene, and REM or restorative sleep. We know that sleep is closely related to improved performance, reduced stress, and overall wellbeing. However, this new booming industry also gives us more data about how much sleep we should be getting, and how to ensure it is restorative.
What Is Restorative Sleep?
Not all sleep is restorative – there is light sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep. Restorative sleep (also known as slow-wave sleep) is when brain activity is able to restore and repair, and happens between deep sleep and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep – it’s the best kind of sleep for improving focus, concentration, mood, and anxiety. Lack of restorative sleep can impact cause irritability, brain fog, fatigue, and in the long run, health risks like heart problems, metabolic issues, and a weakened immune system.
Restorative sleep is more than just getting 8 hours of sleep each night. Restorative sleep happens when the body has deep, uninterrupted sleep. During this deep sleep and REM phase, the body works to repair physical tissues, strengthen the immune system, clear metabolic waste, and process memories and emotions. That’s why restorative sleep is such a big part of not just general health and wellbeing – but it’s often a huge part of recovery for those who demand a lot out of their bodies.
