Reducing Sleep?

Might have been asked before but does anyone know any methods of reducing the amount of necessary sleep per night?
Basically, I work irregular shifts which can start as early as 6.15 am (meaning I have to leave home at 5.45 to cycle there, as I don't drive) and end as late as 11pm. I don't work earlies next to lates but still it seems to have disrupted my sleeping and I feel really tired.

I've heard it's possible to survive on 4 hours of sleep a night? I'd be interested in trying some methods, although preferably not polyphasic sleep as work, social life and parents would disrupt it too much.
Thanks in advance

- Owen

go to http://www.polyphasic.org , polyphasic sleeping is where you force yourself to sleep in short intervals for a period of time so that your body speeds up the sleep cycles. I haven't tried this, but lots of people claim to have done this and now only sleep for 2 to 5 hours a night.

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Originally Posted by imaginefication

go to http://www.polyphasic.org , polyphasic sleeping is where you force yourself to sleep in short intervals for a period of time so that your body speeds up the sleep cycles. I haven't tried this, but lots of people claim to have done this and now only sleep for 2 to 5 hours a night.
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I'd love to, but I don't think I'd be able to fit the naps in. You have to keep sleeping during the day as long as you keep up the polyphasic pattern, right? As opposed to there being a transition period after which you can sleep at night again?

EDIT: Besides, I lifeguard. Can't really do with being tired during the day, or someone dies :(
I'm thinking I need to start by improving my sleep hygiene a bit really.

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Originally Posted by Areyoudreaming

I'd love to, but I don't think I'd be able to fit the naps in. You have to keep sleeping during the day as long as you keep up the polyphasic pattern, right? As opposed to there being a transition period after which you can sleep at night again?

EDIT: Besides, I lifeguard. Can't really do with being tired during the day, or someone dies :(
I'm thinking I need to start by improving my sleep hygiene a bit really.
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Try biphasic sleeping maybe. It is a variation on sleep where instead of sleeping for your whole sleep shift straight on, you take a nap equivalent to one REM cycle (about 90 minutes) in the late afternoon to evening, and then at night you sleep another 3-4 REM cycles worth or something like that (do a internet search for "Biphasic Sleep" for better info). I don't know exactly how your schedule is, but this may be easier than polyphasic sleep where you will have to religiously take those 20-30 minutes naps every four hours, or from what I understand you will feel like crap.

I might try it.. I need to check up on how flexible sleeping patterns are though.

hi

try this: http://www.powerfulsleep.com it helped me, was really useful.
I don't know if you want to spend any money though.



(i couldn't possibly recommend using a torrent :wink: )




Bushido :ninja:

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Originally Posted by Bushido

hi

try this: http://www.powerfulsleep.com it helped me, was really useful.
I don't know if you want to spend any money though.
(i couldn't possibly recommend using a torrent :wink: )
Bushido :ninja:
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I've seen that site before, but there's no way I'm paying for one of those. I also recall not being able to find a torrent for it. How about posting it on rapidshare or some other file downloading site for all of us cheapscapes?

Am I allowed to post it on this forum? :?

If not i'll send you a PM.



Bushido :ninja:

Have you ever considered hypnosis to reduce the amount of sleep you need. I have been using a file called 4 hr restorative sleep where it is suggested to you that 4 hrs sleep is enough to restore you completely. I'm not down to 4 hrs yet, but I have seen a difference in my need for sleep. Although I still stay in bed and try to become lucid these days.

PM me for more details.

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Originally Posted by Bushido

Am I allowed to post it on this forum? :?

If not i'll send you a PM.
Bushido :ninja:
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good point, it might not be a great idea. You can email it to me at [email protected] if you want :wink:

Well, I'm hoping to try out a biphasic schedule of sleep from about 12-1.30 am and then from 5-8am. If I have to move the naps I can at least try and keep the time between them the same - I'm going to try this over the next few days but after that I don't know how well I'll be able to keep it up.
Any other ideas are welcome though, I haven't been able to ld for a while because I'm too tired for decent dream recall :(