I don’t recall the exact way I stumbled upon it, but a couple of months ago, I found myself reading all about polyphasic sleep. Essentially it details how monophasic sleeping, that is to say one block of sleep per night, is not how we are designed to sleep. Polyphasic sleep consists of around 6 short sleeps of around 20 minutes a go, throughout the whole day. This means you only sleep for a couple of hours a day.
There are several benefits to this. One is a reported increase in alertness, even though the amount of sleep you get is less. But the real killer is the extra 50 hours or so a week you gain back. That’s like being able to do two full time jobs with time to spare!!
There is some period of adjustment, around about two weeks, to get into the cycle. During this time, it seems to be very hard work, any many people give up, but it can be done.
Unfortunately there is a big killer which may hinder anyone trying to do it. And that is that we live in a monophasic world, and even with all it’s benefits it’s hard for the polyphaser to fit in his schedule. And that’s the key. Polyphasic sleep relies on a strict schedule. Missing a nap, or even just getting it late, can throw off the whole schedule.
However recently I have been reading about the Everyman schedule. This seems to be a bit more forgiving if you miss one, or need to alter the schedule. While you sleep for more time, about 4 hours, this still adds up to another 28 hours a week, for those on a monophasic 8 hours a night.
There seems to be a few decent blogs around on the subject. The one with the most web coverage is Steve Pavlina’s. More recently, I’ve been reading the experiences on PureDoxyk’s blog, which centres around the Everyman method. And there are several others, here and here.
The more I read about the subject, the more the idea appeals to me. My only concern is how I would fit it around work. In the office, or on the road, I can find time to sleep in my car (once stopped in a service station in the case when on the road!). But when I am visiting a customer, it will be a harder sell to ensure I can disappear for 30 minutes at a time.
As a bit of fun, I’ve set up a poll so you at home can decide if I should give it a go. You can find the poll on the right of this page, or on the polls archive.
If I do decide to go ahead with it, I will obviously post the results here. And given the extra hours in the week, I might just get around to doing it… 
Interesting concept/idea Russ! Not sure I would want to vote yes and suggest you do it as if it turned out to be harmful to you I wouldn’t want to have encouraged you to do it…
That said I would have immense respect for you if you succeeded in trying it and it did have beneficial consequences!
How easy do you think it would be for you to fall asleep instantly at nap time as this would presumably necesitate? It usually takes me about an hour and a half between trying to go to sleep and actually succeeding! Anyway, if you do need any assistance trying to get to sleep at the alloted times, particularly when at work, I’m wiling to lend you a copy of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 - that always sends me to sleep at work anyway…
Good luck if you give it a go!
Dan
February 25th, 2007
Apparently, as you are basically living in a kind of constant state of sleep deprivation (although you are ironically more awake) you fall asleep very quickly. From what I can tell, people normally drop off after only 2 or 3 minutes, so the whole nap time isn’t usually longer than 25-30 minutes total.
The secret is starting the thing tired, and very quickly your body will adapt to get the sleep it craves
The idea appeals, but it’s how I can fit it in around my life. Also, no long term studies have been conducted into the possible side effects of polyphasic sleeping. For all we know, it could be doing more harm than good. The US Army is apparently looking into it for usage on their troops. All of a sudden it doesn’t seem like such a good idea after all…
Jeronimo
February 26th, 2007
Oh Dear! Is there a strong possibility that you may become more ’special’ than you are already then???
On a more serious way, I think the main problem would be the interruptions you would have on your sleep… And the rules are too strict for the stressful life of today.
But I’ll back up your decision whichever it is
Cat
February 27th, 2007
True the main problem is indeed the scheduling of the sleeping. Fortunately the Everyman schedule is a bit more forgiving. I’m still fairly new to it, so will need to read up on it more before making a decision
Jeronimo
February 27th, 2007
Well, whatever you decide in the end, I’m sure you will still totally suck balls…
Kenyon
October 7th, 2007
But I’d still love you
Kenyon
October 7th, 2007