Polyphasic sleep

Polyphasic sleep is a term used in sleep science to describe the practice of sleeping multiple times in a 24-hour period—usually more than two, in contrast to biphasic sleep (twice per day) or monophasic sleep (once per day). The term was first used in the early 20th century by psychologist J.S. Szymanski who observed daily fluctuations in activity patterns. It does not imply any particular sleep schedule. The circadian rhythm disorder known as Irregular sleep-wake syndrome is an example of polyphasic sleep in humans.

History

The concept of polyphasic sleep has been around for a long time, with references to this practice found in the works of Homer and Pliny the Elder. However, it was not until the 20th century that the term "polyphasic sleep" was coined by J.S. Szymanski.

Types of Polyphasic Sleep

There are several types of polyphasic sleep schedules, including:

• Uberman's sleep schedule: This involves six to eight short naps, each lasting 20 to 30 minutes, spread throughout the day.
• Everyman sleep schedule: This consists of one "core" sleep lasting between 1.5–3.5 hours, and three 20-minute naps during the day.
• Dymaxion sleep schedule: This involves four 30-minute naps, taken six hours apart.
• Biphasic sleep: This involves sleeping twice per day, usually for a longer period at night and a shorter period during the day.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Some proponents of polyphasic sleep schedules claim that they can lead to improved productivity, as they allow for more waking hours. However, many sleep scientists caution against adopting these schedules, as they can lead to sleep deprivation and disrupt the body's natural circadian rhythm.

See Also

• Sleep deprivation
• Circadian rhythm
• Biphasic sleep
• Sleep science

References

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