Everyone is different, but i have experimented quite alot with what works for me:
Sleep 4 hours twice per 24 hr cycle, spaced 10-14 hours apart. No caffeine, lots of water. This makes a massive difference.
I reach my "final form" when adding a keto diet to the mix. No energy crashes ever, it's like being a machine. It can also be fun.
That being said it's nontrivial to schedule things in that way, and overall I'm happier when i get to see my family more by sleeping an 8 hour block in exchange for the performance benefits.
Also don't forget to do creative/fun things outside work. Watching TV doesn't count. Nothing kills my productivity faster than feeling like a work robot.
Back when i was a single grad student i would do a few months at a time for years. 4-8am and 6-10pm were pretty good slots, as i could still go out at night if i wanted, and i didn't find it very burdensome. Now that I'm married it makes less sense.
One of the other advantages to this pattern is it's relatively easy to start and stop. I frequently use it as a stepping stone when fighting jet lag by inserting a half cycle.
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Everyone is different, but i have experimented quite alot with what works for me:
Sleep 4 hours twice per 24 hr cycle, spaced 10-14 hours apart. No caffeine, lots of water. This makes a massive difference.
I reach my "final form" when adding a keto diet to the mix. No energy crashes ever, it's like being a machine. It can also be fun.
That being said it's nontrivial to schedule things in that way, and overall I'm happier when i get to see my family more by sleeping an 8 hour block in exchange for the performance benefits.
Also don't forget to do creative/fun things outside work. Watching TV doesn't count. Nothing kills my productivity faster than feeling like a work robot.
Does the polyphasic sleep ever interfere with work, family or other obligations?
I've heard that's the hardest part of polyphasic. How long have you kept this up? I'm curious
Back when i was a single grad student i would do a few months at a time for years. 4-8am and 6-10pm were pretty good slots, as i could still go out at night if i wanted, and i didn't find it very burdensome. Now that I'm married it makes less sense.
One of the other advantages to this pattern is it's relatively easy to start and stop. I frequently use it as a stepping stone when fighting jet lag by inserting a half cycle.
If I remember correctly, Leonardo da Vinci also had a similar routine.