Polyphasic sleep

Polyphasic sleep is a sleep pattern in which the need for sleep is distributed over at least three times per day sleeping. Such behavior is normal in the neonatal period. In contrast, the distribution of sleep is referred to in a night and a nap as Biphasic Monophasic sleep and sleep is the name of the form with only one sleep a day. Both are typical sleep patterns of adults.

Sometimes the term is also listed as artificially Shifted sleep patterns of adults, making a living with relatively little sleep shall be possible. A scientific desk or establishment of the term in this sense does not exist. Among the side effects, there are no scientific studies.

Comparison of sleep patterns

Compliance with the sleep times

Polyphasic sleep requires a strict adherence to the sleep times. The sleeping times must be evenly distributed and maintained exactly as over sleeping or omitting the sleep times has a drastic performance drop.

It is particularly problematic that regularly sleeping must be sought, where sleep is not disturbed. This is about a hindrance during long trips and things to do. Even professional life is usually designed for the monophasic sleep patterns, resulting in collisions.

These effects are stronger, the more sleep phases recovery under their sleeping patterns.

Another obstacle is the acclimatization phase, which takes about 2 to 3 weeks.

Application

Polyphasic sleep is used when the sleep times must be minimized over a longer period. This is about in athletes, for example, the RAAM and Weltumseglern, the case.

Alternatives

In occupations that require a long waking hours is required - such as the military and doctors - that polyphasic sleep is usually not applied. Instead, a guard time at the piece takes place and is balanced by a prolonged major sleep phase.