Biphasic Sleeping - nap flexibility etc.

[RagsToRiches]

Hi,

I have read a few blogs and whatnot about biphasic sleeping, and given my current lifestyle (which involves going out to bars/clubs many mid-week days and not drinking/smoking) it would be very useful if I could decrease the ammount of hours sleep I need each night.

The only problem being that I can not guarenty regularity in either my naps of my nightly sleep. I have read at least one blog were these times appear to be flexible to some degree anyway.

Furthermore I'm hoping to compensate for flexibility in naps by sleeping at night longer than most people (consensus seems to be about 1.5 + 3 or 4.5 hours whereas I'm mainly doing 6 or 7.5 hours at night which I intend to decrease on certain days as time goes on, ultimately I would love to be able to hit the deck at 3am on most week-days and get up fine for work at 7:30.)

Day Nap Longer Sleep Total Sleep
Monday 9:00-10:30pm 12:00-7:30am 1.5 + 7.5
Tuesday 6:30-8:00pm 1:30-7:30am 1.5 + 6
Wednesday 9:00-10:30pm 1:30-7:30am 1.5 + 6
Thursday 6:30-8:00pm 1:30-7:30am 1.5 + 6
Friday 6:30-8:00pm 3:00-9:00am 1.5 + 6
Saturday 6:30-8:00pm 3:00-10:30am 1.5 + 7.5
Sunday 6:30-8:00pm 12:00-7:30am 1.5 + 7.5

Thoughts?

Yes I will be blogging my experience for the benefit of others, I'll post the link when I've confirmed my start date.

R

[silicon toad2000]

I would suggest you might have some trouble with the changes in times. One of the keys is getting up and going to sleep at the same time each day.
Your body gets used to when you sleep and seems to make the most of your sleep when it knows whats going on.
With the times you have posted I think you'll find it difficult getting to sleep for your naps after a 7.5 hour core sleep, I don't think you'd be tired when you go fo a nap.
I would think one key to making this successful will be to develop a routine for before you nap or sleep. This will help you body realise it's going to be going to sleep soon. try to spend the time in an environemtn with reduced noise and lighting. This will help the body's natural rythyms kick in.

[rocketman]

actually i thought it was only important when u wake up, not necessarily when you go to sleep. you're supposed to be going to sleep when you fall tired.

[RagsToRiches]

AS you predicted - I am having trouble getting to sleep with my naps. Infact I have not yet managed to have a proper 90 minute + nap. I have only managed to have naps of approx 15-20 minutes, which is "power-nap" territory... and since no deep sleep is entered I neither get the benefit nor the "grogginess".

I may have to cut down my "main sleep" in order to stimulate tiredness and create some rhythm.