Is Polyphasic Sleep Right For You?
Is Polyphasic Sleep Right For You?
Is Polyphasic Sleep Right For You? Polyphasic Sleep may sound like a magic pill, a silver bullet that allows us to sleep for up to two hours a day, allowing us to read books and relax during the day. Unfortunately, this method of sleep is associated with several major health risks and few proven benefits. In fact, much of the positive press surrounding this method comes from urban myths rather than proven benefits. Read on to find out if polyphasic sleep is right for you.
Napping behavior during daytime hours
A small proportion of polyphasic sleep schedules include a 30-minute nap, and these are related to Dymaxion naps. In addition, prolonged naps of less than 25 minutes are associated with SWS wake. Despite their benefits, naps of this duration do not contribute to optimal sleep architecture. Thus, they are not an appropriate schedule for polyphasic sleepers at first. However, experienced mappers can squeeze in several hours of actual sleep with ultrashort naps.
While it is difficult to determine a perfect nap schedule, the key to achieving optimum results is understanding your individual limits. Knowing your minimum sleeping durations will help you avoid sticky situations that may arise during your polyphasic sleep schedule. Hopefully, more research will be conducted on polyphasic sleep behavior and these “minimal” durations will become more widely accepted. Then, the question remains: how do we maximize our polyphasic sleep?
Everyman cycle
The Everyman cycle of polyphasic sleep consists of a single core sleep cycle of 3 hours, followed by three 20-minute naps throughout the day. For beginners, this cycle is an easy fit, as the everyman sleep cycle has a relatively short waking time and is more adaptable than other polyphasic sleep patterns. It is also one of the easiest polyphasic sleep cycles to adapt to, but it does require a bit of willpower and dedication.
The Everyman schedule has two main variations: the E2 and E4 versions. The E2 version is designed for students who can nap before class, while the Everyman version is ideal for people who work part-time. E3 is the most difficult cycle to follow, incorporating four hours of sleep into one twenty-four-hour cycles. However, once adapted, the Everyman cycle is the most adaptable schedule.
Biphasic cycle
Researchers believe that the industrial revolution and the spread of electricity caused the shift from biphasic to polyphasic sleep cycles. Both increased exposure to bright light and reduced sleep duration interrupted the sleep-wake cycle. In addition to being disruptive to sleep, biphasic sleepers experience a shorter, less restful period during the day, usually lasting about thirty minutes. These shorter sleep periods can give people a boost during the day and increase their energy levels.
The biphasic cycle of sleep is similar to that of a siesta. During the day, biphasic sleepers take naps, which is a short period of sleep. These naps are usually taken between nine am and nine pm, but they do not replace the nocturnal period. This is the most basic form of polyphasic sleep. The biphasic sleep pattern is not necessarily associated with increased energy levels or higher productivity.
Other forms of polyphasic sleep
Despite its many benefits, other forms of polyphasic sleep have their drawbacks. Polyphasic sleep schedules are not only disruptive but also cause significant sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation is linked with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. It is important to understand the benefits and drawbacks of polyphasic sleep. The following paragraphs describe the most common forms of polyphasic sleep and the risks they present.
The main benefits of polyphasic sleep are that you get more quality REM and slow-wave sleep. You can get more sleep by dividing it into several sessions during the 24-hourhour period. Consequently, you can get more sleep in less time. Some people can even get by on less overall sleep than others. In addition, some people who suffer from polyphasic sleep can experience better creative thinking. Researchers have linked REM sleep to creativity. Because polyphasic sleepers spend more time in this phase, their creative abilities are higher.
