Which of the following describes N1 stage of sleep?

The N1 stage of sleep is best described as a state of drowsiness, which is the initial transition from wakefulness to sleep. During this stage, individuals experience light sleep, where the body begins to relax and the brain transitions into sleep patterns. This stage usually lasts for a few minutes and is characterized by a decrease in muscle activity and slower brain waves. It is during N1 that a person can be easily awakened and may not even realize they have fallen asleep.

This contrasts with other stages such as deep sleep, which is associated with more restorative processes and is harder to wake from. Prolonged wakefulness is not a stage of sleep at all, but rather a state where the individual is fully awake and alert. Recognizing that N1 is the very beginning of the sleep cycle where drowsiness and light sleep occur helps in understanding the overall sleep architecture and its phases.