Contrary to part 1, there is strong evidence that polyphasic sleeping ought to be more common. In its broad definition, polyphasic sleep is a term that refers to sleeping multiple times during a 24 hour period. Sleeping 3 times a day is called triphasic, Sleeping 2 times a day is refered to as biphasic, and sleeping once a day is termed monophasic. Polyphasic sleeping does not necessarily connote sleep optimization in order to stay awake for more hours a day, although that is a very common usage.
The majority of americans try to keep a monophasic schedule. Monophasic schedules are so common that any other schedule is often thought to be not only an aboration, but a pathology. There is a pervasive belief that monophasic sleep is somehow more natural, or even more moral. But, in fact, the western idea of sleep seems to be the exception, with its no-contact, sensory isolated, monophasic sleeping.
Hunter gather societies, such as the !Kung and the Efe are fluid, poly-phasic sleepers. They sleep when they are tired, whether it is day or night and independently of when others are sleeping. Much of the world sleep most the night, but have a nap during the day, making them biphasic sleepers. Egyptians, and the spanish fall into this group. Some people argue that the natural human rhythm of sleep is triphasic, with an interrupted night sleep and a nap during the day. Most people in the world sleep on a biphasic or triphasic schedule. Even in the US, the research has shown many benefits of "power naps" including better memory, mental health, and even a decrease in heart disease.
Furthermore, nearly 33% of americans suffer from sleep disorders. Might it be that 33% of us are not natural monophasic sleepers, and that having difficulty with monophasic sleep ought not be a pathology? It is not like we are born sleeping through the night. That has to be taught.
There is a fair body of evidence that "sleeping through the night" is a myth for adults as well. If you have a sleep disorder, or you have trouble sleeping all night, consider trying a polyphasic schedule. Don't necessarily try to restrict the total amount of time that you sleep, be open to sleeping as much or as little as you need. Go to bed a few hours earlier, take a nap, get up and do whatever routine fits your life, take another nap, and get up at your usual time. For the 50 million americans that suffer from insomnia, what have you got to lose?
The majority of americans try to keep a monophasic schedule. Monophasic schedules are so common that any other schedule is often thought to be not only an aboration, but a pathology. There is a pervasive belief that monophasic sleep is somehow more natural, or even more moral. But, in fact, the western idea of sleep seems to be the exception, with its no-contact, sensory isolated, monophasic sleeping.
Hunter gather societies, such as the !Kung and the Efe are fluid, poly-phasic sleepers. They sleep when they are tired, whether it is day or night and independently of when others are sleeping. Much of the world sleep most the night, but have a nap during the day, making them biphasic sleepers. Egyptians, and the spanish fall into this group. Some people argue that the natural human rhythm of sleep is triphasic, with an interrupted night sleep and a nap during the day. Most people in the world sleep on a biphasic or triphasic schedule. Even in the US, the research has shown many benefits of "power naps" including better memory, mental health, and even a decrease in heart disease.
Furthermore, nearly 33% of americans suffer from sleep disorders. Might it be that 33% of us are not natural monophasic sleepers, and that having difficulty with monophasic sleep ought not be a pathology? It is not like we are born sleeping through the night. That has to be taught.
A natural polyphasic sleeper
There is a fair body of evidence that "sleeping through the night" is a myth for adults as well. If you have a sleep disorder, or you have trouble sleeping all night, consider trying a polyphasic schedule. Don't necessarily try to restrict the total amount of time that you sleep, be open to sleeping as much or as little as you need. Go to bed a few hours earlier, take a nap, get up and do whatever routine fits your life, take another nap, and get up at your usual time. For the 50 million americans that suffer from insomnia, what have you got to lose?
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