Most adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night, and within that, about 20–25% should be REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, which typically amounts to 90–120 minutes of REM sleep each night. REM sleep is crucial for memory consolidation, emotional regulation, and overall brain health.

Why REM Sleep Matters

  • REM sleep is the stage where most dreaming occurs and is important for learning and retaining memories.
  • The amount of REM sleep tends to increase with each sleep cycle throughout the night, with the longest REM periods happening in the later cycles.
  • Disruptions to REM sleep (such as waking up early or using alarm clocks) can affect your mental sharpness and mood.

REM Sleep by Age

  • Adults: 90–120 minutes of REM per night (20–25% of total sleep).
  • Children and teens: May need slightly more REM sleep as their brains are still developing.
  • Older adults: REM sleep duration often decreases with age.

How to Track Your REM Sleep

  • Sleep tracking devices and apps can estimate your REM sleep, but they may not be 100% accurate.
  • Keeping a sleep journal and noting how rested you feel can also help determine if you’re getting enough REM sleep.

What Happens If You Don’t Get Enough REM?

  • Lack of REM sleep can lead to memory problems, mood swings, and difficulty concentrating.
  • Too much REM sleep can sometimes indicate underlying issues, such as depression.

Quick Table: Recommended REM Sleep for Adults

Total Sleep (hours)| REM Sleep (minutes)| REM Percentage
---|---|---
7| 90–120| 20–25%
8| 96–120| 20–25%
9| 108–135| 20–25%

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.