The awake stage of sleep is time spent in your bed both before and after falling asleep – when you’re more alert. During the awake stage, you may be mentally active, and your eyes can be open or closed. The amount of time spent in this stage varies between individuals but is typically briefer than the other stages of sleep.
During this time, there are several things you can do to help ease yourself into a deeper state of rest. For instance, some people practice progressive muscle relaxation techniques that involve tensing and releasing specific muscles throughout the body one at a time. This can help to release tension and prepare the body for sleep. In the second part of this series, we’ll be breaking down this specific stage of sleep, and things you can do to assist in improving your quality of sleep.
The Awake Stage of Sleep & How to Improve Restful Quality
Occurring during the non-REM stages of the sleep cycle, this specific stage of sleep is where individuals are shifted from what we know as ‘wakefulness’, into sleep. It is believed that the average adult spends between 10 and 20 minutes in the awake stage which is considered to be the lightest stage of rest.
During this time, both the mind and body are in a state of transition. The awake stage is where you can start to feel drowsy, and your thoughts may become slower in pace. If your eyes remain open during this period, it’s likely that they will droop partially shut more than once as you drift off into a deeper sleep.
Practice Mindfulness
A way to help you fall asleep is to practice mindfulness, which can help you focus on the present moment rather than worrying about what happened in the past or could happen in the future. This can be a great way to relax before bed and shift your mind from being active into a more tranquil state.
Practice Meditation
Practising meditation, journaling or even reading can also help to calm the mind and make it easier for you to drift off into a deeper sleep. It’s important to keep in mind that it may take some trial and error to figure out what works for you in the awake sleep stage – so don’t be afraid to experiment with different methods and activities until you find one that works best.
Invest in Sleep Devices
There are a range of sleep devices that can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer – but nothing beats a device like SleepHub. If restoring natural sleeping patterns is something you’ve been trying to do, a specialised device like this is going to be your best friend. With specially implemented technologies and sleep sounds to assist with the natural pattern of restfulness, it’s worth putting money towards something that allows your brain to switch off.
Overall, the awake sleep stage is an important part of your overall restorative sleep cycle. Taking the time to relax before bed and create a comfortable environment can make a huge difference in how well you’re able to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night. With these tips in mind, you can help ensure a restful night of quality sleep.
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