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SLEEP GUIDES
Understanding Sleep: A Guide to Better Sleep
Sleep is essential for your physical health, mental wellbeing and how you function each day. This guide explains how sleep works, what affects sleep quality and how to build better sleep habits, with expert-informed articles to help you sleep well.
How Does Sleep Work?
During the night, your body moves through different stages of sleep, including light sleep, deep sleep and REM sleep. These stages repeat in cycles, helping your brain and body to rest, recover and reset.
Your sleep is also controlled by your circadian rhythm — your internal 24-hour body clock. Light, meal times, exercise and daily routines can all influence when you feel awake or sleepy.
Read more about how sleep worksWhat Affects Sleep Quality?
Many factors can influence how well you sleep, including:
✓ Your bedtime and wake-up routine
✓ Travel and jet lag
✓ Stress and anxiety
✓ Hormones and life stages
✓ Caffeine and alcohol
✓ Work and screen time
✓ Bedroom environment
✓ Underlying sleep problems
✓ Exercise and activity
✓ Your overall health
Essential Sleep Guides
Start with our most popular guides to understand sleep and improve your rest.
What Is Sleep Hygiene?
Practical steps to build better sleep habits.
Sleep Cycles and Stages
Understand the stages of sleep and what happens during the night.
How Much Sleep Do You Need?
Find out how sleep needs change and how to tell if you are getting enough.
Why Do I Wake Up at Night?
Explore common causes and how to get back to sleep.
Circadian Rhythm and Your Body Clock
Learn how your internal clock affects your sleep and energy.
How to Keep a Sleep Diary
A simple guide to tracking your sleep and spotting patterns.
Browse by Topic
Explore our articles by subject to find the information you need.
How Sleep WorksSleep cycles, stages, REM, deep sleep and more.→
Sleep Habits & Better SleepRoutines, sleep hygiene, tracking and practical tips.→
Sleep Problems & Common CausesNight waking, tiredness, insomnia and other disruptions.→
Sleep & HealthHow sleep affects your body, recovery and wellbeing.→
Sleep & Everyday LifeWork, productivity, travel, parenting and modern life.→
Sleep Disorders & ConditionsUnderstand insomnia, sleep apnoea, narcolepsy and other conditions that can disrupt sleep.→
Frequently Asked Questions About Sleep
What are the stages of sleep?
Sleep moves through lighter non-REM sleep, deeper non-REM sleep and REM sleep. These stages repeat several times through the night.
How long is a sleep cycle?
A full sleep cycle is often described as lasting roughly 90 minutes on average, but the length can vary between people and across the night.
What is REM sleep?
REM stands for rapid eye movement sleep. It is a stage associated with vivid dreaming, memory processing and emotional regulation.
What is deep sleep?
Deep sleep is a restorative non-REM stage in which breathing and heart rate slow and the body carries out important physical recovery.
What is a circadian rhythm?
Your circadian rhythm is the roughly 24-hour body clock that helps regulate sleepiness, alertness and other daily biological processes.