Biphasic and polyphasic sleep

Biphasic and polyphasic sleep

Alternate Sleep Schedules

Biphasic sleep and polyphasic sleep are alternative sleep patterns characterized by dividing sleep into multiple periods throughout a 24-hour cycle, as opposed to the traditional monophasic sleep pattern, which involves a single consolidated sleep period.

Biphasic sleep

• Biphasic sleep involves dividing sleep into two separate periods, typically consisting of a longer nighttime sleep period and a shorter daytime nap. Common biphasic sleep patterns include:

Siesta - A long nighttime sleep period followed by a midday nap, common in some Mediterranean and Latin American cultures. Segmented sleep - Two nighttime sleep periods separated by a period of wakefulness, often practiced in pre-industrial societies.

Polyphasic sleep

• Polyphasic sleep involves dividing sleep into multiple short periods throughout the day and night. Some popular polyphasic sleep patterns include:
• Everyman - A long nighttime sleep period followed by several short naps during the day.
• Uberman - Six to eight evenly spaced 20- to 30-minute naps throughout the 24-hour cycle.
• Dymaxion - Four evenly spaced 30-minute naps throughout the 24-hour cycle.

Benefits and drawbacks

• Some proponents of biphasic and polyphasic sleep argue that these sleep patterns may increase productivity, enhance creativity, or improve overall well-being. However, there is limited scientific evidence to support these claims, and some studies suggest that alternative sleep patterns may negatively impact cognitive function, mood, and health.

Summary

Biphasic sleep (or diphasic, bifurcated, or bimodal sleep) is the practice of sleeping during two periods over the course of 24 hours, while polyphasic sleep refers to sleeping multiple times—usually more than two. Each of these is in contrast to monophasic sleep, which is one period of sleep within 24 hours. Segmented sleep and divided sleep may refer to polyphasic or biphasic sleep, but may also refer to interrupted sleep, where the sleep has one or several shorter periods of wakefulness. A common form of biphasic or polyphasic sleep includes a nap, which is a short period of sleep, typically taken between the hours of 9 am and 9 pm as an adjunct to the usual nocturnal sleep period. Napping behaviour during daytime hours is the simplest form of polyphasic sleep.

Biphasic and polyphasic sleep Resources
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