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Sleep Science for Dummies

Sleep Science for Dummies

"Sleep quantity doesn’t equate to sleep quality"

No matter how many hours you sleep, waking during your deep sleep stage leads to grogginess and prolonged tiredness. When you are tired, your reaction speed is about 50 percent slower than if you were well rested, and you are more likely to make mistakes on simple tasks.
 
 
Waking up to sound is as bad as being awoken in deep sleep. Sound causes us to wake up in a panic and raises our heart rate. It also desensitizes us to our alarms and causes us to dread waking up. This is not the ideal way to wake up.                                                                                                                                                          
During sleep our body undergoes several sleep stages at night which are crucial for recovery of the body and brain. Below you will see an outline of the sleep stages we go through at night. 
 

 

Light Sleep 1 (NREM1):

Stage 1 is the lightest stage of NREM sleep. Often defined by the presence of slow eye movements, this drowsy sleep stage can be easily disrupted causing awakenings or arousals. Muscle tone throughout the body relaxes and brain wave activity begins to slow from that of wake. Occasionally people may experience hypnic jerks or abrupt muscle spasms and may even experience the sensation of falling while drifting in and out of Stage 1.

Light Sleep 2 (NREM2):

Stage 2 is the first actual stage of defined NREM sleep. Awakenings or arousals do not occur as easily as in Stage 1 sleep and the slow moving eye rolls discontinue. Brain waves continue to slow with specific bursts of rapid activity known as sleep spindles intermixed with sleep structures known as K complexes. Both sleep spindles and K complexes are thought to serve as protection for the brain from awakening from sleep. Body temperature begins to decrease and heart rate begins to slow.   

REM:

REM sleep, also known as rapid eye movement, is most commonly known as the dreaming stage. Eye movements are rapid, moving from side to side and brain waves are more active than in Stages 2 & 3 of sleep. Awakenings and arousals can occur more easily in REM; being woken during a REM period can leave one feeling groggy or overly sleepy. Once your body gets enough deep sleep, the need will dissipate and you will go into REM.                                         
                                                                                    

When we sleep we pass through the four stages: N1, N2, N3, and REM. We cycle through the stages from N1 through REM, then begin with N1 again. A complete cycle last about 90 minutes. The first sleep cycles have more deep sleep, and later in the night we have more REM sleep. 

During deep sleep and REM our bodies go through repair, and memory goes through consolidation and formation processes. Thats why it's important not to disturb your sleep cycle.

The TAVO Alarm works with your sleep cycle. TAVO wakes you when your body is most ready to start the day, or in other words at the conclusion of your sleep cycle, in light sleep. It does this silently so you wouldn't disrupt yours and others' sleep.

In conclusion, the quality of our sleep is of paramount importance for our overall well-being and daily performance. Merely focusing on the quantity of sleep we get, without considering the stages and cycles our body goes through during the night, can lead to grogginess, prolonged tiredness, and reduced productivity. Waking during deep sleep or being abruptly awoken by loud sounds can disrupt these critical sleep cycles, affecting our physical and cognitive functions.

Understanding the different sleep stages, from the light N1 and N2 stages to the deep N3 and the dream-filled REM stage, reveals the intricate processes our bodies undergo during the night. These stages play a crucial role in physical recovery, memory consolidation, and overall mental health. Disturbing these processes can have long-term consequences on our health and well-being.

The TAVO Alarm system offers a promising solution to this problem. By syncing with our sleep cycles and gently waking us during the light sleep stage, it minimizes disruptions, allowing us to start our day feeling more refreshed and alert. Moreover, it does so silently, preventing any disturbances to others sharing our sleeping space.

In a world where sleep is often sacrificed in the pursuit of productivity and long hours, it's crucial to emphasize the significance of both sleep quantity and quality. The TAVO Alarm serves as a reminder that our approach to waking up can be just as important as the time we spend asleep. Prioritizing restorative sleep can have a profound impact on our daily lives, helping us perform at our best and enjoy better overall health and well-being.

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Learn 7 Ways to Improve your Sleep, or check out the TAVO v1.0

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