Wikipedia defines polyphasic sleep as the practice of sleeping multiple times in a 24-hour period. Proponents of this practice argue that it results in a much reduced total sleep requirement, sometimes as little as two hours total sleep per day.
This concept immediately caught my interest when I heard about it, as it should interest anyone who feels like they do not get enough sleep. I have a rather long train commute to work (one and a half hour each way), which makes it difficult for me to get what I believe should be my normal sleep hours.
Curious, I’ve decided to give it a tentative try. I cannot yet go the full “Uberman” way, taking 6 x 20 minutes naps in a 24 hours period (and nothing else), but I have been trying to get at least three naps in the day: one during each commute, and one after lunch. Having such long commutes turns out to be kind of a blessing, after all.
After one week practice, I do indeed feel much less tired in the evenings. I’m writing this post at half past ten on a Saturday evening, when I should normally be dead tired. Instead of that I’m wide awake and I think I’ll be writing some C code afterwards.
If you would like more information, here are some links that I have found helpful:
- Wikipedia entry on polyphasic sleep, a great source of information and further links.
- A book on polyphasic sleep, the only one that I am aware of.
- Several 25-minutes long MP3 recordings to help you fall asleep. Absolutely awesome.