Which sleep stage is best to wake up?

The best sleep stage to wake up from is stage 3 NREM sleep. This stage is essential for feeling rested and rejuvenated. Without enough stage 3 sleep, even if you have slept for a long time, you may still feel tired and drained.

It is recommended for a healthy adult to get 7-9 hours of sleep per night, as sleeping less than this can reduce the number of REM sleep cycles. Setting a consistent bedtime based on the average sleep needs of individuals can be beneficial.

During sleep, the body goes through cycles of REM (rapid eye movement) and non-REM sleep. Dreams typically occur during REM sleep. Non-REM sleep consists of three phases: stage 1, stage 2, and stage 3. Stage 3 is the deepest sleep stage where it's harder to wake up.

Research suggests that early bedtimes may be better for individuals. Studies have shown a correlation between going to bed later and depressive symptoms and repetitive negative thinking. Therefore, it's important to prioritize sleep duration and consider going to bed earlier.

For individuals experiencing occasional sleeplessness, over-the-counter sleep medications like ZzzQuil Liquid or ZzzQuil LiquiCaps can be helpful. These contain diphenhydramine, an antihistamine that aids in falling asleep quickly without forming a habit. Alternatively, a drug-free option is ZzzQuil PURE Zzzs Melatonin, a sleep supplement with an optimal level of melatonin and a blend of botanicals for a natural sleep cycle support.

Overall, ensuring a sufficient amount of stage 3 NREM sleep, following a consistent sleep schedule, and considering early bedtimes can contribute to waking up feeling rested and refreshed.