Question

1. Contrast what happens during slow wave sleep with what happens during REM sleep.
2. What happens to the stress response during sleep?
3. How/why does stress disrupt sleep?

Answer 1

What happens during slow wave sleep?

During slow-wave sleep, there is a significant decline in cerebral metabolic rate and cerebral blood flow. The activity falls to about 75 percent of the normal wakefulness level. The regions of the brain that are most active when awake have the highest level of delta waves during slow-wave sleep.

What happens during REM sleep?

REM stands for Rapid Eye Movement. During this cycle of your sleep, your eyes will move and dart quickly beneath your eyelids. During REM sleep, your brain activity increases, your pulse quickens, and you have dreams. REM sleep first takes place after you've been sleeping for around 90 minutes.

What happens to the stress response during sleep?

When we sleep, all the stress responses in our body are damped down, letting it relax, so that tenseness which we feel are mitigated in the morning next day.

How/why does stress disrupt sleep?

Stress disrupts sleep by pumping out stress hormones in the body. This causes cause sleep deprivation. Frequently being in a heightened state of alertness or stress can delay the onset of sleep and cause rapid, anxious thoughts to occur at night. Insufficient sleep can then cause further stress.