Welcome learners to “Brain in Rest Mode.” Introduce that this deck will guide them through the neural activity underlying each sleep stage and prompt personal reflection.

Briefly outline the four main stages. Emphasize progression from light to deep sleep, then to dreaming.

Explain theta waves and the transition from alpha waking rhythms. Prompt reflection on drifting-off sensations.

Describe sleep spindles and K-complexes as protective mechanisms against wakefulness, tied to memory processes.

Highlight delta waves as markers of deep, restorative sleep. Emphasize physical repair functions.

Contrast REM activity with NREM: brain resembles wake but body is paralyzed. Connect to dreaming and emotional processing.

Identify critical regions: thalamus gates input, pons triggers REM, hippocampus consolidates memories, cortex generates dreams.

Encourage learners to connect insights to their own sleep tracking. Point them toward the next worksheet.