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 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 following times: 4am, 8am, noon, 4pm, 8pm and midnight. Have you ever experienced dip in energy at 4pm?

Those following polyphasic sleep schedule usually sleep from 10-30 minutes every 4 hours . This goes on for whole 24 hours. A modified version of this is also practiced, where 3 hours core sleep in 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 polyphasic sleep schedule. Their survival may mean remaining alert to danger throughout 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 earlier stages of sleep are largely bypassed allowing user a few more hours of 'awake time' each 24 hours.

This is a gradual process though. At first naps may not be largely NREM which may explain 7 to 10 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 "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.

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