New to biphasic sleep

[ADentzau]

First off, hello to everyone. I just stumbled on this forum while googling information on biphasic sleep cycles and I have already learned a lot from the general compliation on this forum. However, I have some questions before starting my routine that I was hoping could be answered here.

First off, my plan is to sleep for 4.5 hours at 2AM to 6:30AM. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday I work until 5:15PM and usually get home around 5:45PM. I've been trying to decide when to have my 90 minute nap. One option is to attemp to sleep from 6PM to 7:30PM and then eat once I get up. The other option is to eat at 6PM and try sleeping sometime after that, probably around 7PM-8:30PM. I was wondering if anyone had any input about when that nap should be. I know some people prefer eating after a nap rather than before and I know some people advocate trying to get the nap in before early evening.

Also, I was wondering how important it is to maintain the exact same schedule 7 days a week. I read of some people pretty much going on the fly. That is, most nights they do the 4.5 hour sleep and a 90 minute nap later in the day but every now and then they just sleep 7.5 hours at night. The main reason why I ask is because I dont have the same schedule every day. For instance, on Sundays I have obligations that start around 7:15 so I would need to be done with my nap by then. On Tuesday and Thursday I dont work so I can take my nap earlier (around 5PM) and wake up and have dinner with my girlfriend. Is it important to always nap at the same time each day or is it more important just to have the 90 minute nap each day whenever I can get it?

Hopefully with that insight I can plan my routine and start my adaptation period tomorrow. Actually, that leaves me with one last question. Is it better to throw myself into 4.5 hours of core sleep with a 90 minute nap and just adjust to that over a week or so or should I begin naping and gradually reduce my night sleep to 4.5 hours?

Thanks so much for all the help,
Andrew

[laur_454]

Andrew!

That's awesome that you're attempting this. And kind of crazy too, because just today I was thinking how much more efficient a biphasic sleep pattern would be. Though until I work for myself (which I'm in the process of) I don't know how practical it would be for me...

I'm certainly not an expert, but having read Steve's series on polyphasic, I would venture to say that it's probably best to keep your naps as regular as possible, every day of the week. I'm sure a little lee way wont throw you entirely though!

I'm really interested to find out how it works for you and would love an update when you are in the thick of it. Please feel free to PM me!

Lauren