Which of the following stages of sleep is known as light sleep?

The stage of sleep referred to as light sleep is N1. This initial stage of non-REM sleep marks the transition between wakefulness and sleep. During N1, heart rate slows, breathing becomes more regular, and muscle activity decreases. It is characterized by a relatively light sleep state where the sleeper can be easily awakened. People may drift in and out of this stage, experiencing brief moments of wakefulness and often not realizing they have been asleep.

N2 is also considered a stage of light sleep, but it is deeper than N1 and involves distinct sleep spindles and K-complexes in the brain activity. N3, on the other hand, is known as deep_sleep or slow-wave sleep, which is much harder to awaken from and plays a crucial role in restorative processes. REM sleep is the stage associated with vivid dreaming and heightened brain activity, but it is distinctly different from the lighter stages of sleep. Recognizing these stages helps in understanding the sleep cycle and the processes that occur throughout the night.