Most people obsess over a magic number: 8 hours of sleep. But science reveals something far more interesting.
Deep Sleep: The Real Recovery Booster
Deep sleep is when your body releases growth hormones, repairs muscles, and strengthens the immune system. You typically spend only 13-23% of your sleep time in this critical phase.
REM Sleep: Where Memories Are Made
During REM sleep, your brain processes experiences and consolidates learning. Too little REM sleep can lead to concentration problems and emotional instability.
Optimizing Your Sleep Architecture
Instead of blindly aiming for 8 hours, you should track your sleep stages. Factors like alcohol, late eating, screen time, and room temperature dramatically affect your sleep cycle quality.
Quick Wins for Better Deep Sleep:
- No caffeine after 2 PM
- Cool your bedroom to 60-65°F (16-18°C)
- Stop eating 2-3 hours before bed
- Reduce blue light in the evening
With Pulselyze, you can automatically track your sleep stages and identify patterns that sabotage your recovery.