Harvard Health Content API

Sleep comes in two different forms: REM (dreaming) and non‑REM (quiet) sleep. In quiet sleep, your brain shifts from chaotic awake activity into calm, rhythmic waves as if a switch has been flipped. In a healthy night, you glide through three deepening stages of non‑REM (N1, N2, N3 slow‑wave sleep) before diving into vivid REM dreams.

Meditation can be a natural part of everyday life, similar to maintaining a healthy diet or exercise routine. In this video, learn how meditation can be simple, flexible, and can be practiced almost anywhere.

Practicing mindfulness is a healthier, more sustainable source of energy and focus than relying on caffeine or sugar. This video shows you how to practice mindfulness by paying attention to breathing, physical sensations, and everyday activities in the present moment without judgment.

This video shows how mindfulness meditation can reduce stress and anxiety by reshaping brain activity and enhancing the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy.

Do you wake up tired, struggle to fall asleep, or rely on caffeine to get through the day? Your daily habits may be playing a bigger role in your sleep quality than you realize. This quick quiz will help you evaluate your sleep hygiene from your bedtime routine and screen use to exercise, stress, and sleep environment.

We all experience stress but how well do you really understand it? Take our quick 10-question quiz to uncover the causes of stress and discover smart ways to manage it.

What's keeping you up at night? It could be any of a number of sleep disorders. Find out how much you know about insomnia and other sleep problems by taking our quiz. 

Tai chi, a form of moving meditation, combines gentle physical activity with powerful cognitive and emotional benefits, leading to improved memory, emotional balance, and measurable brain changes, especially with age.