Beginning Polyphasic Sleep- Question

[Zod]

Hi there. I'd like to note first that I'm new to these forums after being redirected here by Steve Pavlina, so I apologise if I've posted this in the wrong subforum. Also, again I apologise if this topic has come up before and I missed it when searching.
Additionally, this was originally a message directly to him to begin with, so again, my apologies if it looks like it was written to one person in particular.

I've been reading many blogs over the past few months now, and have taken a fancy to the idea of Polyphasic Sleep. I plan to experiment with polyphasic sleep come summer, so I've given myself a few months to take some recommended precautions (such as waking early as a rule, and giving up caffeine, both of which were done with ease).
However, when I thought through the first week, which is supposedly the most difficult, I began to wonder how one begins the cycle of naps.

What I mean by the previous sentence is basically the following; on the first day of the experiment, how will I begin the first nap properly, after having eight hours of sleep the previous night?
Will I try to sleep for twenty minutes after being awake for four hours, despite having no physical or mental requirement for sleep at that time?
What process exactly will I follow in the very first day of experimenting with polyphasic sleep? Any advice or feedback would be greatly appreciated.


Thank you in advance.

[Bleicke]

Trying to go back to sleep after 8 hours of regular sleep didn't work well for me.

Someone on this board suggested that you stay up two full consecutive days to intentionally mess up your old sleeping pattern and get REALLY tired. After 48 hours up, falling asleep should be easy. I haven't tried this yet, but that's what I'm going to try next time.

[ssandra]

You could also try your first nap later in the day.

So, instead of trying to sleep after 4 hours, try to sleep after 8 hours.

Then, depending on how you feel, again after 8 hours or after 4 hours.

i have no experience with this, but it seems like a good thing to try..

[Zod]

If I stayed up for 48 Hours, and then slept for only 20 minutes, I would still be lacking 15 hours and 40 minutes sleep, based on what my current sleeping pattern requires. Would this not mean that in the long run, I would have a 'sluggish first week' that lasts many weeks, or even months, before catching up with the lost sleep?

I was thinking of waking normally, but simply going to bed at around 8 instead of 10, and waking up later, which may work, but I was curious as to what works for everybody else.

Thank you for the replies.

[WayneKey1]

I would simply wait til the first nap cycle time where I felt tired after a short nights sleep. We all feel sleepy when our nights sleep is shorter than usual. If I were undertaking the project and I have spent some time thinking about it seriously, plus my wife says I am half way there already. I have both odd sleep cycles and unusual control over my sleep. So the way I would pattern it is get an hour to two hours less nights sleep than I am usually comfortable with and then begin my scheduled polyphasic cycle a little short on my normal sleep needs. Also, I would create an affirmation and an autosuggestion to give me some mental tools to use as I was going to sleep to begin the process of re-aligning my sleep cycles and needs.

good luck to you...

Wayne

[Zod]

Okay, thank you, all, for the replies. It's been a great help
I think I'm going to try beginning by taking my first nap a few hours before I'd have orignally gone to bed, so I'm srarting the cycle at the end of a day instead of the beginning; ultimately it should work out the same, but I think I have more chance of sleeping after being awake for twelve hours, as opposed to four.

In a few months, after I've tried it out, I may return here and give an update.
Thank you all, once again.

[Ralph]

It gives you a head start if you start it after 8 hours of sleep.

I think the most important thing is to eat right after the nap, so that you go to sleep with your stomach empty. Digestion will disrupt REM and no REM means practically no sleep.


I wish you the best with your experiment. I'm going to start up right when my holidays start as well. First week is obviously the biggest challenge so keep it light, fun, in good mood and occupied as well. Good luck!

Ralph

[WayneKey1]

Zod,
Just a thought but it might help you to report in once a day or so to talk about how you are doing. There are also a number of folks here like myself who are very curious about the polyphasic sleep and how getting adapted to it works.
Whatever you decide, good luck with it.

Wayne

[Zod]

It gives you a head start if you start it after 8 hours of sleep.

I think the most important thing is to eat right after the nap, so that you go to sleep with your stomach empty. Digestion will disrupt REM and no REM means practically no sleep.

Oh, I'll keep that in mind. Didn't think of that, but I've noted it down now. Thank you.

And I'm not trying it until Summer, but when I do, of course I'll give regular updates.

Thank you again, all.

[Zod]

Well, now that it's closer to the time, I thought I'd try and revive this post; sorry for the necroposting, but I figured it'd be better than beginning a new one for the ultimately the same accomplishment.

I've decided to begin polyphasic sleep on next Saturday, the 13th of June. This date primarily because all of my exams have finished, and I have roughly three months out of school before having to go back, which should be sufficient time to adapt to the pattern.

To be honest, I'm still a little clueless about beginning it, because I've read all above comments once again, yet I still can't decide when the best time to begin in.

My main concern is this;
If I start before when I regularly go to bed (10:30), I won't be able to get to sleep.
If I go to bed at, or later than, 10:30, I won't be able to wake up.

Neither seems to be the right choice. I weigh the two against each other but I seriously can't figure out which option will work the best.
Will anybody who has tried it, or has actual knowledge (and not an assumption / theory) about the very first sleeping time please give me advice?

Thank you in advance.

[ballhit2]

I have never been able to get the polyphasic thing to work more than five days (but have had it successfully last that long 4 attempts) but for what it's worth, here's some advice:

1. You need a month to get off of caffeine, period. Absolutely no caffeine at all at all at all...it is IMPOSSIBLE to manage this sleep cycle while dabbling with even the tiniest bit of caffeine. A month because you won't want to deal with moods and headaches AND a new sleep cycle.

2. You cannot be using cannabis at all (check your local laws for legality if that is your cup of tea). Biphasic, probably ok; poly, no way sir madam. It interferes with your ability to enter REM sleep reliably and quickly. Ask your stoner friends to remember their dreams...or to remember anything really, haha.

3. You need to have total acceptance and support from those whom you share your environment with.

4. Handy equipment: Earplugs and a pair of those airline blindfolds, or whatever's clever. Also a mat so you can sleep outside if necessary.

5. I did not have a number 5 when beginning this post but something just popped into brain: Why not begin a Six Times A'Day Meditation habit and then transition it into sleep. So basically you'd wake up twice or three times in the middle of the night (hey, better than only six naps a day!) and meditate for 23 minutes. Then go back to sleep or to whateverawake. Introducing six interruptions a day cannot be bad, especially as a preparation for having this woefully insane sleep schedule, I mean, this time-saving pole position.

Ok, enough procrastinating, time for a nap!

[Zod]

Aye, I quit caffeine about six months ago when I first read about it and haven't looked back. I've never touched drugs (including alcohol or nicotine), so nothing should interfere.

I should be getting myself an alarm clock soon, which should help. I'm sure my father will be able to wake me at regular intervals, but just in case.

My house is usually silent, so I'm not sure if earplugs will be necessary. but something to block the light will definitely come in handy. Thank you for the advice.


I'm still baffled about which time is better to start the sleeping, however. Neither seems to be the right choice.