Polyphasic Sleep Schedule

Most of us sleep for six to eight hours one time a day, meaning we follow a monophasic sleep pattern. People who take a nap during the day follow a biphasic sleep pattern. 

Sleeping more than two times per day is called a polyphasic sleep pattern. Babies naturally follow a polyphasic sleep pattern, but it may not be healthy for adults to follow.

The reason people follow polyphasic sleep patterns is because it is a way to reduce the time you spend in bed. Some people claim to have had mental and physical breakthroughs following this sleep pattern.

For more sleep tips, try Sleep Connection to get more ideas and products that can help you sleep. 

This article discusses polyphasic sleep schedules and the benefits and risks of following this sleeping pattern.

Why is our sleep pattern important?

Sleep patterns are important because we need an adequate amount of sleep every day to function. Sleep deprivation can cause many different health issues. It is crucial that we get plenty of deep sleep every day.

If you follow a polyphasic sleep pattern, you may not be getting any deep sleep. Twenty-minute naps do not allow you to dive into REM sleep. Days without REM sleep will eventually take their toll on you.

If you plan to start sleeping fewer hours every day, be sure to learn the health risks of sleep deprivation. We need at least six hours a day on average to stay healthy. It is recommended that adults get seven to nine hours of sleep each day.

Define polyphasic sleep schedule

A polyphasic sleep schedule refers to sleeping throughout the day in short spurts rather than sleeping for one long period. As long as you are sleeping more than two times per day, this is considered a polyphasic sleep pattern.

Why follow a polyphasic sleep schedule?

People follow a polyphasic sleep schedule to maximize the time they spend awake. While this type of sleep pattern doesn’t reduce the hours you spend asleep, some people benefit from sleeping more than two times per day.

The benefits of a polyphasic sleep schedule

A polyphasic sleep schedule can be beneficial for people who frequently travel across time zones. This type of sleep pattern enables them to rest during layovers or on long flights and can help them adjust to new time zones.

A polyphasic sleep schedule can also benefit students who lose focus when studying for long periods of time. Taking naps in between classes can help students take breaks from long days at school.

A polyphasic sleeping pattern can also help people prepare for situations where they will not get much sleep. 

The risks of a polyphasic sleep schedule

Following a polyphasic sleep pattern can disrupt your circadian rhythm, or your sleep-wake cycle. 

In general, following a polyphasic sleep pattern reduces the amount of sleep you get each day. This can cause various health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, anxiety, depression, and heart disease.

Uberman sleep technique

The Uberman sleep technique refers to a set polyphasic schedule that includes taking six to eight naps a day, or about every four hours. Naps are usually about 20 to 30 minutes long. 

The Uberman sleep technique means you only get about three hours of sleep each day.

Uberman sleep benefits

No evidence has been found that the Uberman sleep technique has any benefits. What we do know is that our bodies function better when we get a good amount of sleep, and three hours a day is not enough to stay healthy and well.

Polyphasic sleep schedule for students

Students can benefit from a polyphasic sleep schedule if they have trouble staying focused during long days at school. Taking naps in between classes can help students feel more awake throughout the day.Is polyphasic sleep healthy?

If you are following a polyphasic sleep pattern that limits the hours of sleep you get, you are increasing your risk for certain health problems. Sleep deprivation is never healthy. Not getting enough sleep increases your risk of depression, anxiety, diabetes, obesity, and sleep apnea.

You should only follow a polyphasic sleep schedule if a mono- or bi-phasic schedule is not an option.

Does polyphasic sleep work?

There is no evidence that polyphasic sleeping is more beneficial than monophasic sleeping. A polyphasic sleep schedule that limits your hours asleep increases your risk of sleep deprivation, which can cause a variety of health problems.

Best polyphasic sleep app

To find polyphasic sleep tracker apps, check out the Google Playstore or the Apple App Store. Apps such as Polyphasic Sleep can help you discover different polyphasic sleep schedules and remind you when to sleep and when to wake up.

Apps such as Polyphasic Sleep can work as a polyphasic sleep schedule maker that will wake you up with alarms and notify you when it is time to go to sleep.

Polyphasic sleep mastery

If you want to master polyphasic sleep, check out the Polyphasic Sleep Mastery ebook. This ebook can help you learn how to follow a polyphasic sleep schedule, which may help you boost your energy and be more productive throughout the day.

Polyphasic sleep experiment

If you are looking to get started on a polyphasic sleep schedule, you can try the 30-day Polyphasic Sleep Experiment to get started. 

Make sure you do your research before you try a new sleeping schedule that will reduce the hours of sleep you get per day. Sleep deprivation is dangerous and can cause serious health problems.Polyphasic sleep cycles

Polyphasic sleep cycles consist of short periods of time that you spend asleep throughout the day. 

Shorter, more frequent periods of rest may help your body learn to enter REM sleep immediately. Some claim that this works to spend less time sleeping overall while still getting an adequate amount of deep sleep. This theory does not have any evidence to back it up.

If you are looking to fall asleep faster, there are products you can buy that may help. For example, if noises wake you up easily, you can try using a white noise machine to provide steady sound. Some other products can help you fall asleep faster as well.