Final answer:
After REM sleep, the sleep stage that follows is typically stage 1. This return to lighter sleep marks the beginning of a new sleep cycle, following the pattern of non-REM and REM stages that have particular brain wave activities and physiological characteristics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The stage of sleep that usually comes after REM sleep is stage 1. Sleep cycles begin with stages 1, 2, and 3 of non-REM (NREM) sleep before progressing into REM sleep. After REM sleep, the cycle begins anew with stage 1. During the stage 2 of non-REM sleep, specific features known as sleep spindles and K-complexes appear. This stage is characterized by the body going into deep relaxation and is important for learning and memory. Stage 3, often called deep sleep, is identified by low frequency, high amplitude delta waves. After a period of REM sleep, the sleep cycle typically repeats, and an individual returns to the lighter stage 1 sleep before progressing through the stages again.