Light sleep is a normal part of the night and typically makes up about half of your total sleep. Most adults spend roughly 50% of sleep in light sleep (N1 and N2 stages), which translates to about 3.5–4.5 hours if you’re getting 7–9 hours of sleep. There isn’t a strict minimum you must hit for light sleep; it varies by individual and tends to increase with age. Light sleep helps you transition into deeper sleep, supports memory processing, and plays a role in emotional regulation and motor skills. Key points to keep in mind:

• Typical distribution: light sleep ~40–60% of total sleep, deep sleep ~10–20%, REM sleep ~20–25% (these percentages can vary by person and age).

• Age effects: with aging, the proportion of light sleep tends to rise while deep sleep can decrease.

• Practical takeaway: focus on overall sleep duration and quality rather than chasing a specific number of minutes in light sleep. Prioritize a consistent sleep schedule, a dark and quiet environment, and avoidance of caffeine or heavy meals close to bedtime to improve sleep continuity across stages.

If you’d like, I can tailor guidance to your age group, typical sleep duration, and any sleep concerns (like trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up refreshed).