Hybrid sleeping schedule

[SergiuB]

In about 2 weeks I will try a new (for me) sleeping schedule. I'll sleep 90 minutes
4 times per 24 hours. It's some kind of a hybrid between biphasic and polyphasic . It doesn't save a lot of time, but you always awake with a clear mind. I tried polyphasic (6x30min), but failed after 4 days . Usually, I sleep a lot (9-12 hours), so this will anyway be better for me if it works. What do you think?

[Scott Bird]

Sergiu,

I'm curious to see how it works out (after all, that's the reason for trying anything); but why not a straight biphasic approach? If you had trouble keeping to a polyphasic schedule, a biphasic routine may be easier as it's closer to 'normal'.

[David Hausladen]

That sounds really interesting. Theoretically, because 90 minutes allows for a full sleep cycle, you should have much less trouble adapting than people usually have when adapting to polyphasic sleep. If you feel so inclined, could you post a log of your experience in the Post your polyphasic sleep logs here thread so that the readers and posters there can see how it goes?

[SergiuB]

I tried biphasic for 1 week. It worked, I slept 3 hours from 2am to 5am and had a 1,5hrs nap at 6pm, but all the time I was feeling tired at 2-4pm. Maybe I didn't adapt well, but I work more productive when I've just awoke, and this schedule permits the whole 90min cycle, so I'll be refreshed all the rest of time. I mean, I sleep 90min every 4,5 hours, and I think that's a good ratio; my brain will better process all the data received throughout the day. With biphasic & monophasic, the brain receives more information than the sleep cycle (3 and 1,5 hrs) can handle, so it's harder or impossible to adapt ('cause you always feel tired, at least the first week).

[Scott Bird]

Originally Posted by SergiuB

I tried biphasic for 1 week. It worked, I slept 3 hours from 2am to 5am and had a 1,5hrs nap at 6pm, but all the time I was feeling tired at 2-4pm.

When I made the switch it took a week for my body to adapt to the new schedule, with the same result - tired by mid-afternoon. After that, however, it was all good. Regardless of the schedule you decide to try, give it a month or so before changing it.

[SergiuB]

Didn't have enough patience.

[jojiobi]

I have been practicing a biphasic sleep pattern for two months and it works well for me because I'm a student as well as a writer and doing this allows me to be refreshed while I study and while I write. But my pattern is a bit different from the suggested. I sleep for two hours from 4-6 in the evening and four hours from 3-7in the mornings. This seems to be more down time than most but compared to nine or so hours I would usually need to wake well rested it works out great for me. I'm not sure if this has any negative implications. I didnt exactly delve into research before I started but this sees to be a good rhythm for me. Why is it that the recommended pattern is 90 minutes then 4.5 hours?

[Scott Bird]

Originally Posted by jojiobi

Why is it that the recommended pattern is 90 minutes then 4.5 hours?

Think of it as 1 sleep cycle, and 3 sleep cycles (with the average being around 90 minutes). It's recommended largely because it seems to work much better than other combinations.

Sleep cycle length will vary from person to person, and change slightly over time (my own cycle is gradually shrinking). How long are your cycles currently?

NB : if you're not sure how to measure your cycle length, just keep track of the times you naturally wake up following the nap. This'll give you a pretty good idea.