For as long as I can remember sleep has been my nemesis. I never want to start sleeping and when I finally do I rarely get to sleep long enough or wake up naturally, which I feel are both crucial to quality sleep. The ideal situation for me would be the seldom known but more natural polyphasic sleeping. It is only an ideal however since I cannot adjust my schedule as is needed to permit the 20 minute interval naps required every 4 hours. Let alone the adjustment period required would be near devastating when I am expected in top condition at work during the weekdays.
With this I have come to a (hopefuly) happy medium to make for an easier adjustment period as well as provide as much sleep as I desire without the need for the stigmas of sleep schedules and alarm clocks. If I begin sleeping immediately or sometime soon after arriving home from work (roughly 4PM) I can sleep as long as is needed and then immediately begin my ‘day’ when I wake up. Based on my typical sleep durations during the weekends I would expect myself to wake up normally any time between 9 and 11 depending on the day.
The definite positives:
- Longer more natural sleep. No alarms so no rude wakeups.
- My days won’t start at work so I will look forward to waking up
- Reduced distractions result in increased productivity (especially for natural nigh people)
- Fewer sleeping stigmas. No subconscious feeling that going to bed marks the end of my ‘free time’
- With all of the above I expect my quality of sleep to improve
The definite negatives:
- Few people share this schedule – Making socialization only that much more complicated
- Most public shopping is closed at this time. (The grocery store however is 24×7)
I can vouch that I have already felt better when waking up from my after work naps (currently sometime between 6:30-8:30) having recalled lucid dreams and greater states of relaxation. In addition my mind feels more rejuvenated and if not for recent body pains I would expect to be physically more alert as well. The end result I expect is a more positive general living experience as well as an easier time managing personal routines and projects. I will continue to update as this plan either works in my favor or against me.
NBC Video: Night Owls More Productive than Early Birds
Related Article: Night Owls Can Work Longer than Early Birds
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By: Update: The Sleep Conundrum « Man Seeking Mind for Casual Enlightenment on May 19, 2009
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