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Slow-wave sleep (SWS), often referred to as deep sleep, is the third stage of non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM), where electroencephalography activity is characterised by slow delta waves. [ 2 ] Slow-wave sleep usually lasts between 70 and 90 minutes, taking place during the first hours of the night. [ 3 ]
Polysomnogram demonstrating slow-wave sleep. High amplitude EEG is highlighted in red. Slow-wave sleep (SWS), also known as Stage 3, is characterized by a lack of movement and difficulty of arousal. Slow-wave sleep occurring in both hemispheres is referred to as bihemispheric slow-wave sleep (BSWS) and is common among most animals.
The optimal nap duration is around 10–20 minutes, as researchers have proven that it takes at least 30 minutes to enter slow-wave sleep, the deepest period of sleep. [44] Napping too long and entering the slow wave cycles can make it difficult to awake from the nap and leave one feeling unrested. This period of drowsiness is called sleep inertia.
The sleep cycle is an oscillation between the slow-wave and REM (paradoxical) phases of sleep. It is sometimes called the ultradian sleep cycle , sleep–dream cycle , or REM-NREM cycle , to distinguish it from the circadian alternation between sleep and wakefulness .
And slow-wave sleep, or stage 3 of non-REM sleep, is especially vital for restorative rest. Most people get around 1.5 to two hours of slow-wave sleep if they get eight hours of shut-eye.
During rest following a sleep-deprived state, there is a period of rebound sleep which has longer and deeper episodes of SWS to make up for the lack of sleep. [ 6 ] On a hypnogram, a sleep cycle is usually around 90 minutes and there are four to six cycles of REM/NREM stages that occur during a major period of sleep.
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Second wind (sleep) Sleep and breathing; Sleep and creativity; Sleep and emotions; Sleep and learning; Sleep apnea; Sleep cycle; Sleep debt; Sleep in fish; Sleep inertia; Sleep medicine; Sleep paralysis; Sleep spindle; Sleep state misperception; Slow-wave sleep; Suprachiasmatic nucleus