More or less status quo, except since I seem to be getting my 8am nap regularly, I skipped the midnight nap and moved my core sleep a little earlier. Feeling less sleepy today, but I seem to be randomly sleepy some days and not sleepy on others. I guess I'll give it more time to adjust.
In other news, I like pie.
Friday, 26 August 2011
Sunday, 21 August 2011
Day 17 - Updates and how it's been going so far
Update
Haven't had much to update lately, since it's been busy but thankfully I haven't been overly sleepy (at least not more than before I started poly). An overall recap: I started the polyphasic sleep schedule and have been amending it here and there since the 5th of August, and unfortunately I haven't been following it fully. I've had several missed naps, a couple of oversleeps, and found it especially hard to follow schedule on weekends, when I'm out most of the time and not subject to a routine like a weekday workday. I estimate I've been able to follow the schedule 80-85% of the time, though, with allowances for up to 1 hour deviation for naptimes.
The Experiment thus far...
However, so far in my third week, I'm feeling quite fine. I have been playing sports, going to the gym, and more or less been doing exactly what I was doing before I started polyphasic, except that I've been having more time to do those things. I'm starting to think that this may be do-able long-term, though for me this is still officially an experiment. It's nice to have the night to myself when everyone is sleeping, too. I've always liked that.
Etc.
So far I've chosen to skip naps entirely rather than 'make up' for it later by sleeping extra, because I'd rather have a bout of sleepiness rather than accidentally reconfigure my body to sleeping the old way. No adverse effects yet. I have noticed an interesting thing though, apparently I am adapting somewhat. Approximately around my scheduled nap times, I notice myself feeling a little sleepy/tired, not to the extent that I'm falling asleep, but that nagging feeling that I'm supposed to sleep. I guess it's my biological clock adapting to the schedule, and is probably a big reason why I haven't been missing naps lately.
I've also been finding falling asleep quickly for the naps a lot easier. I used to set my timer for 23 minutes, to allow some time to fall asleep, but nowadays I can fall asleep within a minute or so (I guess). Also, I can get back to sleep within ten seconds or so if my nap is interrupted (as it was today) by a phone call or whatever (after answering the phone; just a short call). I've noticed that this falling asleep quickly thing provides for some auxiliary time savings in terms of not having to spend half an hour or so as I used to to get to sleep.
Finally, and I'm really happy about this one, is that after my core sleep of 2-3 hours (I vary it now and then), I no longer feel groggy for as long, or as badly. Previously, I used to be groggy for at least 40 minutes, but now I can be more or less fully alert sooner, and without the headache that used to accompany forcing myself awake prematurely. So altogether, it's going pretty well. I'm wondering if I'll hit some sudden wall come day 30 or something, but it doesn't feel like it so far.
Haven't had much to update lately, since it's been busy but thankfully I haven't been overly sleepy (at least not more than before I started poly). An overall recap: I started the polyphasic sleep schedule and have been amending it here and there since the 5th of August, and unfortunately I haven't been following it fully. I've had several missed naps, a couple of oversleeps, and found it especially hard to follow schedule on weekends, when I'm out most of the time and not subject to a routine like a weekday workday. I estimate I've been able to follow the schedule 80-85% of the time, though, with allowances for up to 1 hour deviation for naptimes.
The Experiment thus far...
However, so far in my third week, I'm feeling quite fine. I have been playing sports, going to the gym, and more or less been doing exactly what I was doing before I started polyphasic, except that I've been having more time to do those things. I'm starting to think that this may be do-able long-term, though for me this is still officially an experiment. It's nice to have the night to myself when everyone is sleeping, too. I've always liked that.
Etc.
So far I've chosen to skip naps entirely rather than 'make up' for it later by sleeping extra, because I'd rather have a bout of sleepiness rather than accidentally reconfigure my body to sleeping the old way. No adverse effects yet. I have noticed an interesting thing though, apparently I am adapting somewhat. Approximately around my scheduled nap times, I notice myself feeling a little sleepy/tired, not to the extent that I'm falling asleep, but that nagging feeling that I'm supposed to sleep. I guess it's my biological clock adapting to the schedule, and is probably a big reason why I haven't been missing naps lately.
I've also been finding falling asleep quickly for the naps a lot easier. I used to set my timer for 23 minutes, to allow some time to fall asleep, but nowadays I can fall asleep within a minute or so (I guess). Also, I can get back to sleep within ten seconds or so if my nap is interrupted (as it was today) by a phone call or whatever (after answering the phone; just a short call). I've noticed that this falling asleep quickly thing provides for some auxiliary time savings in terms of not having to spend half an hour or so as I used to to get to sleep.
Finally, and I'm really happy about this one, is that after my core sleep of 2-3 hours (I vary it now and then), I no longer feel groggy for as long, or as badly. Previously, I used to be groggy for at least 40 minutes, but now I can be more or less fully alert sooner, and without the headache that used to accompany forcing myself awake prematurely. So altogether, it's going pretty well. I'm wondering if I'll hit some sudden wall come day 30 or something, but it doesn't feel like it so far.
Wednesday, 17 August 2011
Reset
I've mentioned this before, but each nap feels like a 'Reset' button to me. I just had my lunchtime nap, but I feel almost like it's morning again, like I've slept for ages, complete with morning clumsiness. Vivid dreams, too, which is nice. It's a nice feeling, as it makes each work day seem much shorter.
Time for an update
Day 10 - 13: Nothing to report.
Well, not much anyway. I've been mostly keeping to schedule, but adjusting times here and there to accommodate my life and whims. I have this tendency to sleep through the midnight nap to the morning core sleep. I think I might adjust the midnight nap time to earlier. I imagine it's my body/mind being too used to years of sleeping at that time, so I go back to sleep straight after the alarm goes off. Might switch it to 11pm or so.
Well, not much anyway. I've been mostly keeping to schedule, but adjusting times here and there to accommodate my life and whims. I have this tendency to sleep through the midnight nap to the morning core sleep. I think I might adjust the midnight nap time to earlier. I imagine it's my body/mind being too used to years of sleeping at that time, so I go back to sleep straight after the alarm goes off. Might switch it to 11pm or so.
Sunday, 14 August 2011
Day Sunday
I am rather losing track of time, or at least what day number it is. I started polyphasic sleep last Friday, so this would be day 9. I've noticed it's harder to follow the schedule on weekends, mostly because I'm busy. I think I'll make every effort to keep to schedule and see how that goes. No overly bad effects from going off schedule though so far. I dread to think what would happen were I on Ubermann.
Wednesday, 10 August 2011
Day Whatever
Day 6/7, rather. The sinus issues I've been having since the start are dying down somewhat (they were like a perpetual 'morning flu' - not really flu). However today I am extremely sleepy. I've been sleeping longer core periods because I use an alarm, and I think that I might need to cut them shorter. I was going to write something witty about missing Day 6 post, but I think I'll go back to trying to stay awake.
Monday, 8 August 2011
Day 5 - Oversleep
I overslept. Apparently my internal clock hasn't quite automated the 20 minute naps yet; I slept right through the 12:00 nap to 6am, as I forgot to set the alarm. This is unfortunate as I felt I was rather adapting to it. I'll just have to be more vigilant until it becomes a habit. I was thinking of setting daily nap alarms, but so far having to set them manually helps with the whole flexibility thing.
Strangely enough (or not so strange, according to other online accounts), I feel more groggy after oversleeping than when I missed naps.
Strangely enough (or not so strange, according to other online accounts), I feel more groggy after oversleeping than when I missed naps.
Sunday, 7 August 2011
Day 4
Despite getting to bed later than usual (3:15 instead of 2:30), I thankfully wasn't too badly affected. I did feel rather groggy, but that was offset, I think, by my 8am nap. I'm guessing this morning nap that isn't actually in my schedule is easing me into the sleep cycle, and may be helping me 'cheat' on some missed naps and such. I might redesign the schedule around this nap, seeing as it's a regular thing for me already.
I've come to love these 20 minute naps. Going straight into REM sleep is a lovely feeling, and I wake up feeling really refreshed, even if it's a really short one. Unfortunately my lunch nap was cut short to about 5 minutes today due to me waking up and choking due to my dusty car interior. I really need to vacuum that thing or leave more windows open. Nevertheless, the short nap was good. I don't feel 100%, but I'll be sure to get in timely naps later today.
I've come to love these 20 minute naps. Going straight into REM sleep is a lovely feeling, and I wake up feeling really refreshed, even if it's a really short one. Unfortunately my lunch nap was cut short to about 5 minutes today due to me waking up and choking due to my dusty car interior. I really need to vacuum that thing or leave more windows open. Nevertheless, the short nap was good. I don't feel 100%, but I'll be sure to get in timely naps later today.
Day 3
I can see what they mean by time distortion. After each nap I feel 'reset', as if I've slept for ages. As a result my 'day' timer is a little off, though that hardly matters unless you're living in some rural outback with no internet access. The naps are getting more refreshing though, hopefully that means I'm acclimatising to the schedule. Today is Sunday the 7th of August, Day 3.
Friday, 5 August 2011
Day 2 - Naptation
Being Friday night, I didn't notice I had missed my midnight nap till it was about 1:45, so I skipped it and went straight for my 2:30 core sleep. I did wake up at 6 as scheduled, but (probably out of habit) ended up falling right back asleep. However, I did wake up at 7am, and am feeling great right now. I suppose it's my habit of sleeping after getting up to turn off the alarm plus being borderline sick plus having missed a nap. Anyway, I'm back on track and have now set an alarm for each nap I'm supposed to have. Weird, having to set alarms to sleep.
I have noticed that it is rather easy for me to slip into nap mode, despite earlier concerns that I might take too long to fall asleep, as I used to previously. I found one tip that I read online (forgot where) helpful, that is to coordinate the entire body with my breathing, and this is very relaxing. Doing that with my usual method of falling asleep, which is to let the brain just wander and not focus on any one thought (which is harder than it seems at first), puts me out within a couple of minutes. It's like the mental equivalent of watching a Michael Bay film, minus explosions.
I have noticed that it is rather easy for me to slip into nap mode, despite earlier concerns that I might take too long to fall asleep, as I used to previously. I found one tip that I read online (forgot where) helpful, that is to coordinate the entire body with my breathing, and this is very relaxing. Doing that with my usual method of falling asleep, which is to let the brain just wander and not focus on any one thought (which is harder than it seems at first), puts me out within a couple of minutes. It's like the mental equivalent of watching a Michael Bay film, minus explosions.
Day 001.1
Had another nap, then dinner. Slowly tweaking my times around my schedule. So far I've experienced sleepiness, but not crippling. I also found that one of those neck pillow things would be useful for sleeping in the car. I'll probably be out a little late tonight (it is Friday after all), so I might push back the midnight/morning nap somewhat.
Thursday, 4 August 2011
Day 001
Day one starts a little late, as I was a little late to naptime. I'll be adjusting the core sleeptime by half an hour as a result. Feeling a little funny now, like sleepy-wakefulness. It's a bit odd, but I suppose it's part of adjusting.
Early start
Day 000.1
To help me get started (and maybe build up a little sleep credit), I took the opportunity to start napping today at 6:30pm-6:50pm. Wasn't as hard as I thought to fall asleep, but I've been having the habit of taking naps occasionally, so that's probably why. Day one starts tonight!
To help me get started (and maybe build up a little sleep credit), I took the opportunity to start napping today at 6:30pm-6:50pm. Wasn't as hard as I thought to fall asleep, but I've been having the habit of taking naps occasionally, so that's probably why. Day one starts tonight!
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Log Entry 000.0 - My Bog
The purpose of this blog is mainly as a log for myself. If it ever turns into anything else then it will, but for now the main point is to let me keep track of my sleep cycles. As of tomorrow I'll be experimenting with something called the Everyman sleep schedule, modified for my own purposes. As a form of polyphasic sleep, it purports to be a more efficient way to sleep than the standard monophasic (or bi-phasic for the siesta crowd) way. My tentative schedule is this:
Core sleep: 2am-5:30am (3.5 hours)
Nap 1: 1:10pm-1:30pm (20 mins)
Nap 2: 6:20pm-6:40pm (20 mins)
Nap 3: 12:10am-12:30am (20 mins)
Total: 4.5 hours
This is worked around my current schedule, where I have the opportunity to take naps at and after office hours, so I'll see how it goes, altering if needed (Longer term plans including shortening the core nap to 3 hours). I plan to start tomorrow (Friday) because I can make it through one day on less sleep, and if I start to crash there's always the weekend. I do intend however to try to stick to it for at least a month before concluding anything.
p.s. Yes it says "My Bog". Supposedly representing the state of my mind (after sleep-deprivation) and some whatever blahblbahlbah. Basically it means I'm lazy.
Core sleep: 2am-5:30am (3.5 hours)
Nap 1: 1:10pm-1:30pm (20 mins)
Nap 2: 6:20pm-6:40pm (20 mins)
Nap 3: 12:10am-12:30am (20 mins)
Total: 4.5 hours
This is worked around my current schedule, where I have the opportunity to take naps at and after office hours, so I'll see how it goes, altering if needed (Longer term plans including shortening the core nap to 3 hours). I plan to start tomorrow (Friday) because I can make it through one day on less sleep, and if I start to crash there's always the weekend. I do intend however to try to stick to it for at least a month before concluding anything.
p.s. Yes it says "My Bog". Supposedly representing the state of my mind (after sleep-deprivation) and some whatever blahblbahlbah. Basically it means I'm lazy.
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