Sleep, explained simply
We spend nearly a third of our lives asleep. Here are the essentials of what science knows, without the jargon, plus tools to help you get ready for the night.
One night, several journeys
Over the night, we move through several sleep cycles of about an hour and a half. Each cycle goes through the same stages, a bit like the waves of a tide.
Find my bedtime →Light sleep
We gradually drift away. A noise can still wake us up easily.
Deep sleep
The body is deeply relaxed. This is the hardest stage to interrupt.
REM sleep
The brain becomes active and the eyes move: this is when the most vivid dreams happen.
Understand more, relax better
When should you talk to a doctor?
This site is about wellbeing and relaxation, not treatment. If you've been having trouble sleeping for several weeks, if you feel very tired during the day, or if someone tells you that you snore loudly or that your breathing stops at night, the wisest thing to do is talk to a doctor. They're the only person who can advise you.
The Sunday letter
Every Sunday evening: the week's sessions, a new exercise and a bedtime-ritual idea. As a gift when you subscribe: the guide “How to fall back asleep: 7 things that help” (PDF) and the “7 evenings to unwind” program.
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