Can We Sleep For Three Hours and Still Function Normally?

Polyphasic sleep - also known as *Uberman's Sleep Schedule*, consists of six daily naps taken every four hours instead of one long sleep every night (monophasic sleep)

The naps can last from a minimum of 10 minutes up to 30 or 40 minutes. 25 minutes is considered optimal.

The polyphasic sleep concept is based upon the fact that we have a 4 hour *ultradian* rhythm operating alongside our normal 24 hour cycle. This ultradian rhythm means that we go through a complete mini-cycle every 4 hours. Usually at the following times: 4am, 8am, noon, 4pm, 8pm and midnight. Have you ever experienced dip in energy at 4pm?

Those following the polyphasic sleep schedule usually sleep from 10-30 minutes every 4 hours . This goes on for the whole 24 hours. A modified version of this is also practiced, where 3 hours core sleep in the early morning is followed by 20 minute naps every 4 hours. Individuals can adapt cycles to better suit their lifestyle.

Mammals living in dangerous environments practice the polyphasic sleep schedule. Their survival may mean remaining alert to danger throughout the day and night. Astronauts are also taught it in case they need to deal with emergency situations. The army also trains some troops in polyphasic sleep.

The type of sleep experienced by polyphasic sleepers is mostly comprised of stage 5 REM. Thus the earlier stages of sleep are largely bypassed allowing the user a few more hours of 'awake time' each 24 hours. This is a gradual process though. At first the naps may not be largely NREM which may explain the seven to ten day stage where some polyphasic sleepers feel heavy, grumpy, spaced out and can't concentrate.

The Advantages of Polyphasic Sleep

Polyphasic sleep has been called the "sleep of genius" Famous folk such as Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, Napoleon. and Winston Churchill have used this schedule in some form or another. Many who have trialled polyphasic sleep have reported feeling extremely creative, although this state may take some weeks to achieve.

The obvious advantage of course is the extra time gained in each twenty four hour period. If you follow the classic schedule, six naps of twenty five minutes each, you would be averaging only two and a half hours sleep!

Once you get used to sleeping this way, you can slip into the sleep state within a few minutes, compared to twenty minutes or longer for monophasic sleep.

Writers, or anyone who needs creativity in their field, find that sleeping this way allows them to be more creative. This could be due to the occurrence of more alpha and theta brainwaves, rather than beta, during their waking hours.

Disadvantages?

This type of sleep schedule is not recommended long term although there have been some that have kept it up for 6 months with no apparent ill effects. There has been no long term research done to find out any negative effects on health.

Although its been practiced through the centuries, it's not known whether depressing the other non REM stages of sleep - especially the stages 3 and 4 of deep sleep, may have a negative effect on long term emotional health.

Polyphasic sleep is impossible to integrate into a normal working day.

Oh! And another thing. Those who have tried it have reported an increase in appetite which may lead to weight gain. You would probably need to spend some of that extra time doing more exercise!

Conclusion

If you're interested in trying polyphasic sleep, try it for a while during your next holidays. It won't do any damage short term, except possibly make you feel tired and grumpy!

It is recommended that participants review their eating habits and make sure they are on an optimum diet with all the necessary food groups and maybe a vitamin and mineral supplement.

Also recommended is to have a series of interesting projects on hand to keep the mind stimulated and to prevent accidental sleeping outside the schedule.

Visit our web-site below for a healthier way of maximising the quality of our sleep in less time. Go to the "Too much sleep" page.

Want to know how to have better sleep? Find out how. Check out http://www.insomnia-connection.com your resource for detailed information on better sleep and curing stress. The author, Wendy Owen, has had a lifetime interest in general and alternative health as well as being an ex insomniac!

---

Holistic Is Not A Four-Lettered Word

If you're anything like me, then you've got a certain... Read More

Hypnosis

HYPNOSIS is a state of induced but conscious sleep through... Read More

Why Are Organic Bedding and Organic Cotton Products More Expensive?

At first glance it may seem strange that natural and... Read More

Relaxation

We talk a lot about stress in our society, but... Read More

Using Essential Fatty Acids for Reducing Arthritis Joint Pain

Essential fatty acids provide protection for the whole body. In... Read More

About ADD ( Attention Deficit Disorder ), its Symptoms

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a condition that is usually... Read More

Learn About Falun Dafa

I have been practicing an advanced form of qigong for... Read More

Relieving Chronic Pain Through Visualizations: A Three-Part Strategy

The most effective way to use the subconscious for pain... Read More

Powerbreathe, Lung Conditioner, and Breathing Exerciser

What is The Powerbreathe?POWERbreathe is the result of nearly a... Read More

The 5 Hidden Dangers In Toothpaste

A Must Read if You Have Children!Would you allow your... Read More

Hypertension, An Alternative Approach

For many years high blood pressure has been defined based... Read More

Disabilities Stuttering

There are many types of disablity. Would people class stuttering... Read More

Olive Oil: One of the Original Seven Wonders?

Is Olive Oil one of Nature's seven original wonders?According to... Read More

Secrets Of Aromatherapy Part I - Physical Remedies

Aromatherapy can be used to relieve the discomfort of a... Read More

Will This Years Flu Paralyze The US And Canada?

According to the Associated Press on August 26th, the US... Read More

Getting More out of Your Massage with a Epsom Bath Afterwards!

As a massage therapist, I often recommend taking a Hot... Read More

Mosquitoes? No Itch, No Bite!

When you are in the season of the mosquito, it... Read More

Cliff Kuhn M.D.s Fun Commandments Unlock Humors Amazingly Powerful Natural Medicine

My Fun Commandments are more relevant today than ever before... Read More

Alternative Medicine vs Conventional Medicine - Pt 2

In Part 1 we discussed the fact that alternative medicine... Read More

Home Saunas and Kits: Benefits, Pre-Planning, and Purchasing Tips

For quite some time now home saunas have gained massive... Read More

Alter Your Perceptions

This article first appeared in The Sept. 2004 issue of... Read More

The Facts About Glutathione and Parkinsons Disease

Parkinson's Disease (PD), a devastating illness, occurs in one of... Read More

Discover 5 Scents That Will Turbo Charge Your Energy, Mood, Brain Power, and More

Control AppetiteIn studies of 105 subjects, it was found that... Read More

Citronnelle

Remember the last Dumpling Festival? Did your mother or grandmother... Read More

Using the Subconscious for Pain Relief - What?s In It For You?

If you're in chronic pain, you probably want 7 things.... Read More

Good Vibrations

Esoteric vibrational remedies are really hot right now, especally in... Read More

The History of Reflexology

It is important to be aware of the great archetypal... Read More

Hypnosis CDs vs One-to-One Treatment

What's best?Whenever we are about to invest money, whether it... Read More

Strengthen the Immune System Naturally

"Among the most exciting applications of herbal medicine lie in... Read More

Types of Hair Loss Treatment Currently Available

The hair loss treatments outlined here cannot provide definitive cures... Read More

The Basics of Hypnosis

You've seen the stage acts where a hypnotist selects someone... Read More

Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil is one of the most useful products... Read More

Gallbladder Disorders And How To Treat Them Using Natural Remedies

The gallbladder is a 3 to 4 inch-long pear-shaped organ... Read More