What is REM sleep?

REM sleep is the rapid eye movement that occurs during sleep. When you sleep, your brain moves through five different stages; one of these stages is REM sleep. You enter REM sleep within the first 90 minutes of falling asleep and, as the sleep cycle repeats throughout the night, REM sleep occurs several times each night.

How much REM sleep is needed?

A whole sleep cycle takes 90 to 110 minutes, so you will probably sleep four to six complete cycles each night. The time spent in stage 5, REM sleep, should increase with each cycle as the time spent in stage 4 deep sleep decreases. If you don’t get enough REM sleep each night you’ll feel pretty tired the next day and probably rather foggy headed.

Why is REM sleep important?

REM sleep has two important roles:

Restoration - Your body restores itself during REM sleep and without it can’t fully heal itself from the activities of the day.
Memory consolidation and renewal - REM sleep aids your ability to remember and learn. Babies sleep the longest duration of REM sleep and older people sleep the least. Dreams are most vivid during REM sleep, which scientists believe helps the brain to manage emotions and stress, and process information and memories.

What are the stages of sleep?

Stage 1 - Light sleep lasting around five minutes.You may still be aware of your surroundings.

Stage 2 - Deeper sleep for 45-50 minutes, but you may still easily wake up if disturbed.

Stage 3 - A transitioning phase of 5 minutes much deeper sleep.

Stage 4 - The phase of deepest sleep which lasts for approximately 15 minutes.

Stage 5 - REM sleep for about 25 minutes.

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Author: Emily AttwoodPublished: 10 March 2018Last modified: 11 April 2024

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Bedding size guide

DUVET SIZE GUIDE

These are standard UK bedding measurements so if you know your mattress size, you can easily work out which duvet size you need. (Width x length.)

UK sizes	Duvet size	Mattress size
Single	135 x 200cm (53 x 79")	90 x 190cm (36 x 75")
Double	200 x 200cm (79 x 79")	135 x 190cm (53 x 75")
King	225 x 220cm (89 x 87")	150 x 200cm (60 x 78")
Super king	260 x 220cm (102 x 87")	180 x 200cm (72 x 78")

US/CANADA BEDDING SIZES: Approximate matches to UK sizes are US King/UK Super king, US Queen/UK King, US Full/UK Double and US Twin/UK Single.

EUROPEAN BEDDING SIZES: Each size - Single, Double, King and Grand king - is a little larger than the UK equivalent.

Measure your mattress to see which size bedding you need: our UK v European v US mattress comparison guide.

DUVET TOG RATING GUIDE

Young children can overheat so if they are old enough to use a full size bed, we recommend using a single size 4.5 tog duvet.

Tog rating	Season / heat	Feel
2.5 tog	High summer / hot sleepers	Light thermal insulation
4.5 tog	Summer	Lower thermal insulation
9 tog	Spring & Autumn	Cosy medium heat
All season 13.5 tog	4.5 tog + 9 tog	Very warm
All season 11.5 tog	2.5 tog + 9 tog	Warm
All season 7 tog	2.5 tog + 4.5 tog	Lower warmth

DUVET FILL WEIGHT GUIDE

Our goose down duvets have high 700 fill power. Fill weight is measured in GSM (grams per square metre). For example view our 9 tog king size goose down duvet for more duvet details.

	Fill weight (not total duvet weight)
Single	All seasons - 788gsm 9 tog - 486gsm 4.5 tog - 302gsm 2.5 tog - 220gsm
Double	All seasons - 1168gsm 9 tog - 720gsm 4.5 tog - 448gsm 2.5 tog - 320gsm
King	All seasons - 1478gsm 9 tog - 911gsm 4.5 tog - 567gsm 2.5 tog - 400gsm
Super king	All seasons - 1671gsm 9 tog - 1030gsm 4.5 tog - 641gsm 2.5 tog - 480gsm

PILLOW SIZE GUIDE

Our pillows come in two sizes and two firmness options. (Width x length.)

Standard	50 x 75cm
King	50 x 90cm

BED LINEN SIZE GUIDE

Our fitted sheets are deep fit, up to 40cm / 15.7" mattress depth. And our duvet covers fasten with large, easy to use buttons. (Width x length.)

	Duvet cover	Fitted sheet	Flat sheet	Pillowcase (pair)
Single	140 x 200cm	90 x 190cm	180 x 275cm
Double	200 x 200cm	135 x 190cm	230 x 275cm	50 x 75cm (Standard)
King	230 x 220cm	150 x 200cm	275 x 275cm	50 x 90cm (King)
Super king	260 x 220cm	180 x 200cm	305 x 275cm

MATTRESS PROTECTOR SIZE GUIDE

Our mattress protectors are deep fit, up to 40cm mattress depth. Choose the same size protector as your mattress size. (Width x length.)

	Mattress protector size	Mattress size
Single	90 x 190cm	90 x 190cm
Double	135 x 190cm	135 x 190cm
King	150 x 200cm	150 x 200cm
Super king	180 x 200cm	180 x 200cm

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