STAGES OF SLEEP What Happens When We Sleep

STAGES OF SLEEP

What Happens When We Sleep? Sleep occurs in a recurring cycle of 90 to 110 minutes and is divided into two categories: Non-REM (which is further split into four stages) and REM sleep. There are four stages in the non-REM sleep. REM stands for Rapid Eye Movement.

Brain Waves Beta Alpha Theta Delta

Stages of Sleep: Pre-sleep stage Awake and Alert Beta waves Functions: calm, alert, active, ready to learn May take about 15 minutes to go thru this stage Adjust pillows, comforters, start to relax

Stages of Sleep: Pre-sleep stage Awake – but Drowsy Alpha waves Functions: relaxed, harder to concentrate, want to go to sleep Hypnogogic Hallucinations Vivid images, bizarre Jerky movements Sensation of “falling” “Bed gravity, ” floating,

Stage 1 Sleep: Alpha to Theta Waves Non-REM Breathing slows down Disengage from sensation Vivid mental imagery– Everyday activities, not “bizarre” dreams

Stage 2: Theta – K complexes - Delta Non-REM Brief periods of brain activity Small muscle twitches Breathing rhythmical

Stage 3: Theta - Delta - Theta Non-REM Slow wave sleep Probably a transition stage

Stage 4: Delta Waves – 100% Non-REM Oblivious to outside world Sleep-walking, sleep-talking occur here Very difficult to wake up- but can have activities Answer the phone, talk, etc… Then…you ascend back up through these stages and enter your 1 st dream

Then you ascend back up through these stages and enter Dream Sleep…

Dreams An individual will have approximately 4 -5 dreams/night 1. 5 -3. 0 hours of sleep time spent dreaming They increase in length as the night progresses Most mammals dream Intense emotions, illogical, bizarre events are accepted

REM (Rapid Eye Movement) Body functions during REM Brain neurons fire more Increased blood pressure Increased respiration Increased heart-rate Body is paralyzed… Nightmares occur now = frightening, unpleasant dreams No sleep walking during REM

Why do we dream? Many theories – no one really knows? ? Might relate to the idea that at this stage of rest we are… Reviewing physical tasks Learning, integrating and consolidating knowledge Finding solutions to problems or working out difficult emotions Finding inspiration: songs, math proofs, art work Dealing with trauma – used as a coping mechanism “Rebooting the system” – used to refresh the brain after a long day

Why do we dream? Con’t Rehearsing what to do in an emergency: “Threat simulation” Dreams are a training ground in which animals and people rehearse what to do in an emergency so you are more prepared to act on instinct. Two-thirds of all dreams involve some type of aggression • • Physical fights Verbal arguments Car crashes Falling or drowning Missing a test or meeting Being lost or trapped Terrorist attacks

Theories of dreaming… Freud – Dreams reflect unconscious urges, desires, unresolved childhood issues… These problems are resolved in dreams Manifest Content = The actual images in the dream. Latent Content = The disguised psychological meaning that must be interpreted. “Wish Fulfillment”

Theories of dreaming… Activation – Synthesis Model Dreams are products of brain neuron activity in the visual cortex, memory areas, and emotion areas. Hippocampus and the Amygdala No external stimulus; so brain tries to make sense of neuron activity = content of a “dream” Explains randomness of dreams Prefrontal cortex shuts down during REM So, you have fewer inhibitions and don’t question illogical parts of dreams

Theories of dreaming… Inner Work by Robert A. Johnson Based on Jungian theories “The more we face the unconsciousness and to try to understand its content- - - the more we derive a true sense of ourselves…” Don’t take dreams/images literally Dreams show us - in symbolic form - all the different personalities that are within us. Each person in the dream represents an aspect of the dreamer…

“Inner Work” Process 1. Make associations that link unconscious to the dream image. - take your time - work through each image Connect images to inner self, ask “what part of me is that? ” 3. Make big connections, ask “what is the central meaning? ” “What is my dream advising? ” “Does this teach me something about myself? ” 4. Take action 2. - but don’t try and change the world - small changes are better – think simple “With great power comes great responsibility”

Theories of dreams… Crick Theory Dreams “flush” out excessive information or thoughts Toilet Bowl

Theories of dreaming… Information Processing Dreams sift, sort, file, or fix the days experiences Files needed info into long-term memory Deletes unneeded info “random access” like a computer’s memory

Theories of dreaming… Second Sightings by Judith Orloff, M. D. Guidance Dreams: Dreams try to tell you something or inform you Offer solutions to problems, questions Sort out emotions “Fantasy life”

Theories of dreaming… Judith Orloff: Precognitive Dreams foretell the future and may be difficult to understand

Theories of dreaming… Judith Orloff: Healing Theory Show us where we are sick Tell us how to get well Physical and mental

Theories of dreaming… Pre-sleep Stimulation Theory Dreams are a response to activities near bedtime Watch a tv show and then dream about – or incorporate yourself into the show Talk to a friend and then dream about them

Theories of dreaming… Telepathy Theory Dreams convey messages or information from/to other people

Theories of dreaming… Carl Jung Doesn’t believe in symbols Actual images are interpreted Need to amplify content and add personal insight = “what is going on in my life? ” Think about cultural associations; religion, folk lore Archetypes