20/01/2026
Sleep Cycles 💤
On average, adults typically complete four to six sleep cycles per night, with each cycle lasting about 80 to 110 minutes. These cycles consist of different stages, including non-REM sleep (divided into light and deep sleep) and REM sleep, and they repeat throughout the night, with REM periods becoming longer later in the night.
The first sleep cycle is often the shortest, ranging from 70 to 100 minutes, while later cycles tend to fall between 90 and 120 minutes. In addition, the composition of each cycle — how much time is spent in each phase of sleep — changes as the night goes along.
Sleep cycles can vary from person to person and from night to night based on a wide range of factors such as age, recent sleep patterns, and alcohol consumption.
Stage 1 usually lasts for 1-7 minutes and may be when you first feel drowsy.
Stage 2 usually lasts for 10-60 minutes and is where you me body temperature falls.
Stage 3 usually lasts for 20-40 minutes and is the deepest sleep cycle.
Stage 4 is between 10-60 minutes and is your REM (rapid eye movement) sleep and this is where you dream the most!
Muscle recovery primarily happens during deep sleep and involves repairing damaged muscle fibers, replenishing energy (glycogen) stores, removing metabolic waste, and restoring hormonal balance, with growth hormone secretion being particularly crucial for protein synthesis and muscle repair. Adequate, consistent sleep is essential for muscle health and performance; a lack of sleep can impair recovery, slow healing, and increase injury risk.
Our chiropractors will often ask about your sleep pattern and how much you sleep, as well as position and number of pillows. This is to give us an indication on your recovery period and how you may respond to treatment.
