Polyphasic sleep - sleeping less and better - update 1

Photo author: agoode

I mentioned before that I started polyphasic sleep schedule experiment After few weeks I can say it's quite difficult, but somehow working.
I had one week for trying it without family, but now they are back and are very important part of that experiment.

After transition phase I experimented with two different sleep schedules versions: 3 hours and 4.5 of core sleep version. I must say that best schedule that works for me is 4.5h of core sleep and 3 naps: one before work, one after dinner and additional one at evening. It works probably because of quite long core sleep time only 1.5h shorter than my usual 6h sleep. I maintained that sleep cycle for most all days with some exceptions:
- sometimes I was too tired after whole day or not slept good last night- in that circumstances its possible to miss even an alarm clock
- weekends when my lazy part demands full night sleep
- nightly interruptions caused by my toddler needing nursing

The first two obstacles probably will be gone after better adaptation. Kid is the bigger problem. I managed that by tweaking my sleeping hours and synchronizing with my kid's sleeping cycle. It's still not ideal but seems working. And know I'm logging sleep times for two.

My core sleep isn't equal for every night. Sometimes it fits better my natural rhythm the other time worse. I use precalculated cycle length of about 1.5h. So 4.5 core sleep takes about 3 cycles. If my waking time differs by more than half an hour earlier or later, I feel after that really bad. Grogginess, jet lag effect cumulates together into zombie like state - I need slow warm up to function normally. After first nap things go better. Every nap is crucial for reducing short sleep time effects and I'm usually more energized at the morning. After 2 pm I start to feel worse and I'm slowing till I get next nap after dinner.

But If my sleeping times are in schedule I feel normal, sometimes after naps even more energized than usual . So the key to success is to tune in to natural body rhythm and holding schedule times. As I mentioned before, naps are crucial- every nap missed makes me feel worse till next sleep.

Somebody may ask- is it worth to take such sacrifices? My total sleeping time is shortened from 6.5 to 5.5 hours- so 1 hour gained. It's a small reward if any. My main goal was to redefine my daily sleep cycle to get my works done and have time for my family after work. My family helps me a little so I can get two 20 minutes naps at late afternoon and evening. Everybody gets its goals and is happy. I think its worth to try it making better. Maybe it's weird method, but that's the way I like to try.