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What is Polyphasic Sleep?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

Polyphasic sleep is a theory regarding sleep patterns. First coined by psychologist J.S.Szymanksi, the concept of polyphasic sleep has to do with establishing a pattern of multiple sessions of sleep during any given twenty-four hour period. This is in contrast to the concept of biphasic sleep, which addresses the idea of one extended period of sleep during the same time frame.

The theory of polyphasic sleep has to do with engaging in a daily schedule that allows for sleeping small amounts throughout the course of the day and evening hours, rather than setting aside a block of eight hours for a long session of sleep. This approach of segmented sleep is understood by proponents to be especially beneficial for people who are dealing with sleep disorders or who have recently experienced a health or life crisis that makes it difficult to sleep for more than a short time. By building in multiple sleep sessions throughout the day, the body learns to adapt to this approach and is able to utilize these shorter sleep periods to greater advantage.

Polyphasic sleep is multiple sleep periods within a 24-hour period.
Polyphasic sleep is multiple sleep periods within a 24-hour period.

Some proponents of polyphasic sleep see the approach as a means of compensating short term when external factors make it difficult to set aside a full eight hours for sleeping. Others see polyphasic sleep as a viable sleep alternative that can be utilized long term. The usual line of thinking is that the body requires an average of eight hours of accumulated sleep time during a twenty-four hour period. As long as an individual is able to achieve this goal, it does not matter if the sleep is obtained in multiple naps or in one long session.

Researchers advise that adults require roughly eight hours of sleep per 24-hour period.
Researchers advise that adults require roughly eight hours of sleep per 24-hour period.

Critics of polyphasic sleep sometimes note that while napping in addition to a full night of rest can be helpful when the individual is recuperating from illness or other factors, the napping is not a substitute. The basic thought process is that the body has to enter into an adaptive state to slip into the right phase to achieve a deep recuperative sleep. This most often is accomplished by an extended period of sleeping. Shorter naps are not understood to provide this level of deep sleep, and thus will not provide the same level of refreshment and rejuvenation that extended sleep can provide.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

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Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon171015

I have fibromyalgia and have great difficulty sleeping for an extended period of time, especially at night. So a polyphasic sleep pattern is the only thing that works for me. The alternative would be to not sleep or only get about 2 1/2 hours of sleep per night.

natvlegl

I have found "polyphasic" sleep, (what a word for shorter sleep hours more often during 24 hours .. great word if it is understood), to be my answer quite often through my Mother's life and later in business world. It is actually more practical.

I adapted techniques whereby when my head does hit the pillow, I can be into deep, dreaming sleep within minutes. Sometimes even a 15 minute "nap" can be as refreshing as a poor quality eight-hour stint! I call them power naps. Many occupations almost require people to adapt in that manner.

anon170689

In my youth I did this very well with no bad effects at all as I lived on the beach and worked nights. I was on the beach from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., then home to wash hair and sleep with dryer on until 8 p.m.

I worked from 8:30 to 2 a.m., went out to breakfast with co workers and home by 3:30 or 4 to sleep til about 9 a.m. Of course, that is youth.

anon170678

Sleeping for short periods of time does not work over a long period of time. Ask any new mother.

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    • Polyphasic sleep is multiple sleep periods within a 24-hour period.
      By: Deklofenak
      Polyphasic sleep is multiple sleep periods within a 24-hour period.
    • Researchers advise that adults require roughly eight hours of sleep per 24-hour period.
      By: Sanjay Deva
      Researchers advise that adults require roughly eight hours of sleep per 24-hour period.
    • Shorter naps do not provide the kind of rejuvenation that extended sleep provides.
      By: Vasiliy Koval
      Shorter naps do not provide the kind of rejuvenation that extended sleep provides.