Light sleep is a stage of sleep that occurs during the sleep cycle, typically following wakefulness and preceding deeper sleep stages. It is characterized by a relaxed state where the body begins to unwind, and brain activity slows down. During this phase, a person can be easily awakened and may experience brief moments of awareness. This stage of sleep plays a crucial role in overall restfulness and is essential for transitioning into deeper sleep stages, such as deep sleep and REM sleep. Light sleep helps with memory consolidation and physical recovery, making it an important part of a healthy sleep cycle.