Alarm Issues

At about 3am last night my intent was to take my first name after 13 hours or so of being awake. I set the alarm on my phone, but even on its max I didn't hear it 30 minutes later. I am choosing a different alert, and exploring other options for alarms. Also, I don't want to be disturbed during my naps by a text or voice call. I have another phone that is not active, which is charging now.

So to make a long story short, I closed my eyes at 3am, and woke up at 8:15am.

Polyphasic Sleep

Blue = Sleep Red = Awake

I Stumbled Upon an Uberman Sleep schedule article a couple of months back, and I bookmarked it with intentions to revisit the blog and read it in its entirety. However, my attention was pulled in many other directions, and I forgot all about it. I was just reminded about this sleep method today after reading a close friend's status update on Facebook. Thank you, Michael =0)

Explanation: In a nutshell, the Uberman Sleep Schedule (or Polyphasic Sleep Schedule) is an approach of organizing your sleeping time to maximize your REM sleep, and minimize your non-REM sleep. The ultimate goal of the sleep cycle is that you are actively in REM sleep within a couple of minutes of falling asleep and remain in that state until you awaken. This sleep cycle forces you to rely on six 20-30 minute naps throughout the day within a 24-hour period, rather than the accustomed 6+ hours in one lump sum. Like most, I don't have luxury to have complete control over my schedule. So adjusting my responsibilities to fit this new way of living will not be easy, but hopefully manageable. My last night of monophasic (normal sleeping pattern) sleep lasted 7 and a half hours last night. I'm blogging this at 2AM going into the first day of Polyphasic naps, and I'm an hour away from my first nap.


Motivation: Who wouldn't want an additional 30-40 hours of wake time per week? I'm the type of person that always has multiple task at hand, side projects, and interesting hobbies, and I just don't understand the concept of boredom. An increase in my overall productivity is my primary objective in attempting this new sleep schedule.

Desire: For many years, I have been practicing mental quietude to minimize the incessant stream of useless thoughts, and experience higher states of consciousness and general since of well being. I practice regular meditation and relaxation techniques, which I know will benefit the adaptation to this new sleep cycle. Most of the polyphasic blogs and articles that I researched all mention an urge to consume mainly vegetables and fruit during this diet. Maybe the body intuitively longs to eat foods that digest easily and exit the body at a faster rate. For 14 years I have been a strict vegetarian, and the last year and half I have gradually introduced some seafood into my diet (pesco-vegetarian). So... I feel that I'm ahead of the game in this regard. In researching earlier today, I found that Leonardi Di Vinci, Albert Einstein, Buckminster Fuller, Napoleon, Winston Churchill, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Edison all slept polyphasically. These are some of the most genius minds in history, and I am excited to follow their foot steps.

Two other experiments come to mind when I think of what I'm up against. I have successfully completed the 10-day Master Cleanse. This was one of the most challenging and enlightening experiences I've had. A Complaint Free World was another. Be sure sure to check out both, as they offer opportunity for growth.

I have no clue if this is going to be an experiment, or a sleep pattern that I adapt forever. The articles and blogs I have read indicate that people who attempt this last from a month to six months. I anticipate a groggy Christmas, but here goes nothing.