Rapid eye movement sleep

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is a type of sleep that is special because it usually takes place for about 5 minutes out of every hour that you sleep. You usually enter REM sleep about 1-2 hours after you go to bed and then it usually happens for 5 minutes or less at a time during your sleep. During REM sleep your eyes move around quickly, your breathing becomes faster and deeper, and your brain waves become more active. You might dream while in REM sleep and it is a time when your body and brain get most of the rest they need.