"Delta-wave sleep is known for its restorative and growth-inducing properties, and plays a major role in maintaining our general health." - Dr. James Maas

Delta-wave sleep, also known as deep or slow-wave sleep, is only reached after going through three other initial stages of sleep.

If you are awakened during the initial stages, you must repeat them before again reaching deep, or delta-wave sleep. Once this stage is reached, your muscles are relaxed; your blood pressure drops, and your pulse and breathing are slower.

The importance of slow-wave sleep and the impact it has on our physiology is just becoming known. During deep, delta-wave sleep:

• Blood supply to the muscles is increased, aiding recovery (It has been shown that deep sleep increases on nights after periods of sleep deprivation or after vigorous exercise).
  
• Body temperature is lowered, conserving energy.
  
• Metabolic activity is at its lowest, providing an opportunity for tissue growth and repair.
  
• The secretion of growth hormone reaches its peak, stimulating growth and development and repairing the body's tissues.
  
• Natural immune-system modulators increase.

Slow-wave sleep is particularly important to children, who are still growing; athletes, who need to recover and people who are ill. However, the important functions fulfilled by deep sleep are crucial to everyone in preparing your body for the daily challenges you face.

If your sleep is uninterrupted, you stand a much better chance of actually reaching and completing slow-wave sleep, thus setting the stage for improved alertness, energy level, and general health. A few of the most common causes of interrupted sleep are: physical stress, noise, sleep disorders and partner movement.

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