Wednesday 31 December 2008

Polyphasic Sleep Day 3e

Wonderful. My third night in full energy. It’s 5.22am and I’m feeling great. No struggle during the day or night so far. I can’t believe it. Is that it? Am I over the adaptation faze?
I guess tomorrow will be the test, which I might not pass. It’s New Year and I’m going to a dinner party. My nap falls at midnight! I have already moved the naps 30min. earlier and plan to move it further another 30 min so I can go to sleep at 7pm (it used to be 8pm) and go to the party. My next nap then would be at 11pm. I hope I will be able to sneak out and find a quiet place in my friend’s house to take it. We shall see.
I did some yoga tonight at 2am, very strange as I’m starting to operate on full energy round the clock. Night and day are merging into one. My yoga sessions are 30 min long and I’m just about to do another set. I must say that yoga really helped me in the most crucial adaptation stage.
Tonight I went on the poly-phasers.com website and went into the chat room. Thank you Mark. It was great! Now I have polyphasic mates. Brilliant.

Tuesday 30 December 2008

Polyphasic Sleep Day 2e

7.26am, major breakthrough. This is my second clean night and for sure very alert one. For once I didn’t feel sleepy or tired after my 4am nap. I still feel very good and it’s only 30min before my nap. I wonder how I will feel today and of course tonight will be a big test. This night was the first one, where I didn’t do any pottering around the house. I was alert enough for the whole night to read, write and listen to some lectures. Amazing.
I had some doubts earlier as if to carry on this experiment but now I’m fully convinced that I’m on the right path. I will carry on.
I had a nap at 8am and woke up 15-20min later very awake and alert. I was lying in bed wondering how this could be. I let myself fell asleep again but was in control and woke up again after 15min very refreshed. I was astonished. No trace of tiredness, fully awake.
I went to town this morning and came back in time for my midday nap. I allowed myself double nap again, which was a little bit naughty as I developed a slight headache. It’s 2.15pm now and I know it will shift soon. I might go outside to breathe for a while.
By the way I did some yoga at 6am and this time I wasn’t waking up as I was going through it but instead I was full of energy from the start.
The headache disappeared after 4pm nap with no trace. It wasn't really a headache but more like a grogginess.

Monday 29 December 2008

Polyphasic Sleep Day 1e

Every day is a new beginning and that’s how I’m going to look at it. Fresh start and a new tactic to return to the clear uberman schedule. The tactic? Alarm clock in a distane so I’ll have to get up to turn it off.
Last night yet again I lost my game in the early hours of the morning. I went for the 4am nap and woke up at around 7am. How? Don’t know. I must of switched the alarm off and went back to sleep but I can’t remember. When I woke up after 7am I decided to go back to sleep until my 8am nap. There was no point of getting up and then going back for a nap again and I didn’t feel like going without one straight till midday.
So I slept till 8.30 and then had breakfast in bed and read a book, I think I even went for another snooze. Finally I got au at 11am! I decided to miss the midday nap. Disappointed? Yes, a little but I’m not giving up. I thought about it during my long walk today. The journey is difficult but I’m also learning so much from it.
I’m definitely training my will power and discipline. I’m also learning how to control my emotions, which is mainly observing my ego. This journey is not a battle. There is no winners or losers. I call it a game but it’s not either. It’s difficult to realise that and to stay calm whatever the circumstances. I’m not treating this challenge as an end goal task.
I’ve just realised now that I will always have to be alert even if I manage to stay on a very strict uberman schedule for a month. No doubt after the month I would like to go further and further so the journey never ends and that is the challenge.
That is the purpose of my life – to keep going, to continue the journey and stay very awake and very alert. The 30 day challenge will just help me to establish a new way of being.
After my walk I made my green raw soup. I missed it. Since Christmas lunch I have been eating my Christmas meal every day, which is delicious but it’s all dehydrated food and I missed the green, more live stuff.
After 4pm nap I went to cinema with Paul to see a film called ‘Australia’. Amazing. I loved it. Absolutely beautiful film. It was very long so my next nap was at 8.30pm. That’s fine. I also moved my midnight nap about 20 min. later.
It’s 1.40am now and I feel really good. I’m planning to watch another film at 2am, “The Fountain” is on TV at that time. I watched this film long time ago (also on TV) but wasn’t totally in it. I can’t remember but there were some distractions at home. I really wanted to see it again, and here it is as I wished.
I have watched the film and I really enjoyed it. Something strange struck me. I really liked the main actor in the ‘Australia’ film and made an effort to remember his name. Hugh Jackman. I’m really not good with it and don’t know names of many actor’s or celebrities.
What was strange that the main actor in ‘The Fountain’ was also Hugh Jackman.

My 4am nap was a success. I got up after the alarm, put the lights on max and managed to lay in bed for another 15 min. I felt bit groggy and disorientated but I knew that will pass if I’ll engage myself in some activities.
I did some domestic stuff and then yoga. Yoga always brings me back to the alert state. It’s 6.15am and I feel really good. I’m going to write some e-mails and read my book.
I’ll be back after 8am nap and if I succeed that will be my first day in block ‘e’ (the fourth take).

Sunday 28 December 2008

Polyphasic Sleep Day 0d

Starting again. My 4am nap the night before finished at 8am. Yes, I have to blame my husband Paul again. He woke up just as I was waking up from my nap, came upstairs to the spare bedroom, where I spend my nights and asked me for a cuddle back in our bed. Of course I was asleep straight away again, which makes my counting going to zero. I’m starting from a new block, this time ‘c’ and a new count of days/nights from now on.
I was actually laughing at myself as this whole challenge is really getting into a strange form. It’s fine with me, I will play this game with pleasure and fun. No more frustrations.

It’s 2.43am now and I had a good day. I went for a long walk again. It was very cold today and no sun, which is a pity but I still enjoyed it. I hardly watched any tv today so I feel good about too.
I had a bit of a dip in my energy after the 8pm nap so decided to finish the organization of my desk. It was worth while. My paperwork is sorted and I felt so much better afterwards. The good energy came back and I was able to study some Italian.
I’m joining an Italian class from the 5th of January and needs to catch up as the group already started back in the autumn. I’ve already had some introduction to Italian so it’s still quite easy for me, well at the moment. I hope to get some basics before I go to Italy in February.
3.12am need to do some ironing as I’m feeling a bit too sleepy for reading or writing…
I didn't get up from my 4am nap and slept till 7.12. No achievements.

Saturday 27 December 2008

Polyphasic Sleep Day 0c

Last night was great. I was right on schedule. I also did yoga at 6am, the longer version of my set. The only thing was that I took double nap at 8am. Woke up at 8.30 and was trying to recall my dream but instead I feel asleep again and woke up at 9am without an alarm. I found it quite amusing. I felt fresh and not groggy at all.
There was a dip in my alertness at about 11am but I just kept going. I cleaned the kitchen and living room floors. I went for the midday nap earlier and did some affirmations. I woke up refreshed on time.
I went for a long walk. The weather was cold but very sunny. The air was beautiful and clean. Straight after that I drove my daughter to her boyfriend in a nearby village (1h return). I took my afternoon nap and decided to eat something.
I was relaxing on the sofa eating, watching TV and chatting to my husband.
After 8pm nap I felt somehow deprived of energy so I just watched a movie. Law, no self-esteem, no drive to do anything. Mental crisis.
It’s 1.25am now and I feel tired. My eyes are tired and I feel sleepy. I need to move around.
2.28am, feel so much better. I simply organized my office/desk. I followed Steve Pavlina’s advice on how to organize your office/desk. On his website he wrote a great summary of a book by Julia Morgenstern ‘ Organizing from the inside Out’. On top of that I did some domestic chores.
I feel so much better now. I have noticed that a change in mood/feeling can creep up from nowhere. I’m much more aware of it now and can put into practice my strategies now. Not at all times but most of it. Thinking about my early evening law energy faze tonight, I could of done something with it. Now I know to be more aware.
As soon as I discover that my energy is sinking down and I’m getting into a negative side I must change my mental and physical state. Actually the physical one is the first step and the mental will follow up.
Step one – recognize law energy
Step two- stop what you are doing
Step three – get fresh air- breathing
Step four – start doing some domestic chores
Step five- go back to your favourite activity or do something which you were putting off doing.
I shall do it next time I’ll notice a crisis coming up on me.
4am nap.

Friday 26 December 2008

Polyphasic sleeping Day 1b (26)

I didn’t manage to stay awake till 8am nap this morning. I finished up some more preparations in the kitchen for the Christmas lunch and decided to watch the 2nd half of a ‘What the bleep do we know’ movie (behind the scenes). Bad move. I fell asleep on the sofa in a sitting position with my head dangling down.
Paul came to the living room around 6am, I think, and asked me to go to bed, which I really welcomed. I fell asleep straight away and slept like log a log till 10am!
Everybody was waiting for me to wake up so we could open the presents. I wasn’t feeling bad about my extra sleep. After all this was my third night on full uberman and I spent all night preparing my raw Christmas lunch in the kitchen. I was physically tired. That day, earlier on, I was also skating!
It looks like I’m starting new counting again. Now I’m beginning to recognize the pattern of my ups and downs I think I can control it better. So far I had two full awareness nights and collapsed at the end of the third one. Let’s see what happens now.

It’s 5.13am and I woken up from my 4am nap in great mood. I had a very vivid dream and was happy in it. Good sign. I also had a dream in the midnight nap but wasn’t very happy then. Actually I was annoyed at something but can’t remember now why.
I decided to write down my dreams. I used to do that before regularly but somehow went out of it. It’s time to return.
I also managed to do some affirmations for my Out of Body experiments. I’m in much more control over my naps so I can slowly re-introduce my OBE and lucid dreaming affirmations and exercises. I know that I’ll soon hit a lucid dreaming faze. It’s round the corner. I also started to wake up before the alarm and don’t feel groggy on awakening. I don’t have to jump straight out of bed and can recall a dream now. Great progress.

It’s Boxing Day today in UK and first day of big sales. Apparently some shops were open at 5am! Astonishing. I was even thinking of going, just for fun, to see it happening but I cant be bothered. I’m not planning on any shopping anyway.

‘Happiness is the meaning and purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.’ Aristotle

I’m happy and joyful. My heart is singing. Life is beautiful.

Thursday 25 December 2008

Polyphasic Sleep Day 2a

I’m at my sister’s in law house and it’s 3.33am. I’m doing well. Surprise, surprise.
I had my 4pm nap in the car as we were driving here and then I also had a little laying down rest as soon as we arrived. I was good.
In the evening there was a little drink party. I must congratulate myself on not touching alcohol for the whole month. I have been drinking very little anyway but since the experiment begun alcohol wasn’t even considered. That made things much easier. I wanted to quit drinking completely but there was always an excuse, just a one glass on special occasion. This time round there has been many occasions and I just kept drinking water. It’s strange as this even doesn’t bother me anymore. The temptation simply vanished. Thank you.
The drink party was between 7-9pm, right in the middle of my nap so I stayed till 9pm chatting to people and then sneaked out to our guest bedroom and simply went to sleep. I woke up before the alarm. In fact the alarm didn’t go off because I set it up wrong again and I woke up 10 min. after the wake up time. Not bad. I felt great and went downstairs to say goodbye to the last leaving guests from the party.
At 11pm everybody decided to go to bed but I was very awake. Thank you. I told my sister in law about my experiment and luckily she wasn’t too alarmed. She was kind enough to leave the heating on and recommended some films on DVD. Great. My night was looking good.
I have just watched one of the films and I’m just about to go for my 4am nap. To my surprise I feel really good. I think the crisis is going to hit me after this coming nap but I’m not going to worry about it. If it’s going to be too much of a struggle I simply go to bed. I’m sure at that time my husband is going to look for me anyway.

Tomorrow, well today we are going to go skating and again I was thinking about how I’m going to schedule my naps around it. Luckily I was told that we are going to leave at 12.30. Perfect. Thank you. This will be just after my midday nap.
So it looks like everything is unrolling beautifully, however I’m prepared for any changes anyway.

When people find out about my sleep pattern the first question they ask is ‘why?’, which really astonishes me. They don’t go’ ‘wow, this is interesting, so how does it work?’ They just look at me strangely and ask, ‘why”
For them to give up a full night sleep is crazy. They love their sleep. I guess I like sleeping too but this is much more exiting. This is entering a different reality. It’s almost like I’m in a different dimension. I still have to figure out how am I going to do my energy work without falling asleep and start working more on lucid dreaming and OBE exercises. Yesterday at 6am I was ready to do some meditation in a sitting position without any support but that’s when my husband woke up and instead I went to bed for a snooze. I’ll try to do it again today.
It’s time for my nap now. I hope to wake up in a good condition.
I’m astonished. It’s 5am and I’m fresh, my head is clear and I’m in a good mood. Thank you.
For the first time I woke up after 4am nap and was able to read a book, which I just did. Amazing. Now I’m going to watch the second film. The first one was very dark, revealing the negative side of human and how low he/she can fall.
I’m looking at people differently now. I feel compassion even to the characters on the screen. All thee characters are so caught up in their lives and live in such fear that their little world will collapse or stop working for them.
We lost dignity and honor and I don’t mean in a perspective of society but in a perspective to ourselves. We just simply, constantly lie to ourselves pretending that it’s for the better and we can’t possibly operate any other way.
Of course I’m one of them and I’m starting to see a bigger picture more clearly.
I have also noticed, and it has been pointed to me that lots of people hide behind spirituality. They move away from the conventional world but at the same time they start building a new corrupted structure called spiritual world. They bring all their pain with them and form another believe system to suit their situations. How to avoid that trap?
Truth is the only answer. No control, no hidden agenda, no judgment, compassion.

I need to go deeper into the meaning of these words.

I simply can’t believe it! It’s 7.15am and I’m fully awake. I watched the 2nd film and then did some yoga. I feel so good. No headache, no sleepiness, fresh mind and body. I don’t even long for bed. I’m fully rested. This is very strange and I love it.
My best night so far. I’m so content and in such a good mood. I can almost feel my good vibrations.
I hope I’ll still feel like this after my 8am nap.
I didn’t even eat much this night, only an apple. Usually I kept eating to keep awake. This time I had a light supper, just an avocado and a tomato, a tiny bit of coleslaw and a few sticks of pepper. Simple, easy.

I’m really sticking to my 100% raw food and that really helps. I feel better and lighter and I’m sure this way of eating complements the uberman schedule.
The need for hot food in the winter has vanished. It’s really astonishing considering my constitution (vata) and tendency to getting cold. I always felt cold but not now. This is a huge revelation to me. I’ve noticed that few days ago, I don’t feel cold anymore the way I used to. I hope that won’t change and I will be able to enjoy winter on just raw food.
This autumn I had lots of cooked food, very healthy but cooked, like sweet potatoes and other root vegetables roasted in coconut oil, or cooked millet.
I don’t have an urge anymore to do so.
Something changed within me, for better. Something clicked as if my body went to another gear, smooth. I hope to stay like this from now on.

Tuesday 23 December 2008

Polyphasic sleeping Day 1a

Freedom comes when you take power over yourself and that’s what I’m trying to do at all times. The main thing is to take responsibility for all my doings. There is no one to blame and moan to about anything. That’s that.

I have just realized now that I haven’t been kosher on the uberman schedule for more than three days. I have been doing this experiment for over three weeks now but I haven’t managed to stay on the clean schedule for more than 3 days.

That’s it then. From now on I’m going to start a new count. 1a – ‘a’ is a new block in counting the days, so tonight will be my ‘1a’ day, that is of course if I stay awake all night. It’s 2.46am and I feel great but no surprises here as last night I slept for a long time…
The real test will be tomorrow. Unfortunately I’m not going to be in m house. We are going to London to visit my sister in law. She lives in a very big house and I’ll have to persuade her not to put any alarm in the night because I will need my freedom to move around. If that won’t be possible I shall try to stay in the bedroom but that would be very restricting so I might just simply go to sleep, which means I will have to start my counting again, this time with 1b…
I’m taking books, laptop and knitting with me but if I will be struggling that won’t be much of help. The best way to combat sleep is to do something physically like cleaning, ironing or cooking. I won’t be able to that there so I need to think about finding something else but what? I’ll take my yoga mat with me.

Monday 22 December 2008

Polyphasic sleep day 22

Great! ……….I slept last night, I slept from 2am – 9am. Am I disappointed in myself? I don’t really know. I don’t want to be but I think I’m.
Last night after my midnight nap I felt groggy and tired. I couldn’t d anything like reading or writing or even listening and I didn’t feel like cooking or cleaning so at 2am I decided to have another nap, which of course became a full night sleep.
I woke up at 6am refreshed and ready to go but my husband wanted a cuddle so that was a great excuse to stay in bed and just blissfully fell asleep again.

Will I go on? Yes, I will. Now I know that the pattern I established is not safe and there might be weak moments I just have to decide: to give in or fight?

The night before was excellent and I was beautifully alert. I though that this is it. I’ve cracked it and now my nights will be smooth and clear. Well, I was wrong.

What made me to fall asleep and not fight was heaviness in my body. I just wanted to lie down and rest not necessarily fall asleep but unfortunately as soon as I lie down and close my eyes I’m gone.

I had fantastic vivid dreams but not lucid. I’ve been waiting for lucid dreaming since the experiment began but no luck. I’m doing affirmations and commands before my naps to remember the dreams and wake up in my dreams but still failed to do so. I shall keep trying. I had lucid dreams before and I know if I practice enough they will come.
The problem is that before my experiment I would lie down and do some energy work, then affirmations and some other exercises to induce lucid dreaming and out of body experiences but now with the napping system I can’t do it. I have to find another method.

I need to do meditation and energy work when I’m alert and in a very uncomfortable position. That should help.

So today I’ll skip the noon nap and start again at 4pm. I expect that this night will be clear and I most likely will feel very good but the following night there might be trouble…let’s wait and see.

Sunday 21 December 2008

polyphasic sleeping three weeks on

Friday
Yesterday and last night went pretty well but I’m not in a good mood now. Well, I’m crossed with myself. I keep oversleeping! Last night I was waking up as normal until 4am nap, where I slept till 6am. Then at 8am nap I slept till 9.15am. I was a little bit crossed then and was wondering if my alarm was working. Yes, it was.
At midday nap I overslept again! This was too much. I’ve checked the alarm clock on my phone again, no it wasn’t working…
I found a proper alarm at home and didn’t oversleep 4pm nap. I was happy to be on track again until…8pm nap, yes, I overslept again. I set the alarm wrong…grrrhhhrr…

Saturday
I must say this was the best night ever. I was fully awake at all times! Yes, I know it was easy because I’ve accumulated all this sleep in my oversleeping naps but still, I managed to keep the loop going with no crisis and my midnight and 4am naps were as they should be, short and sweet. I wasn’t feeling any grogginess. At 5am I was marking assignments!
I’m now about to have my 8am nap. I just did some yoga and feel so good.

Lately I have been a little bit off my track, not myself. I slipped, became too lazy and mentally I started doubting myself. Last night I did some inventory of myself.
The year is closing down now and I felt uneasy. I looked into my goals from 2008 and lots of them were on a go but some were just neglected.
I also decided to get to the bottom of my uneasiness and find out why I was becoming more lazy and unmotivated. My eating habits were creeping back, I started eating more and more cooked food. Something was not right. Last night I decided to get to the bottom of this.
I think I found the answer. Three years ago when I went full time in my job I was very happy and at the same time this gave me the excuse to stop searching for what I really wanted from life. I never worked full time in one place. I never had a job from 9-5 so I wanted to try it. I forgot my promise as a little girl that I will never do that.
However the prospect of full time job, the status and the salary was very tempting and rewarding. At the same time I was diminishing the true voice inside me nagging me that this is not it. I ignored it and kept telling myself that this is my true calling. I loved teaching and I still do but the institution was starting to eat me up.
This year I became more and more irritable with myself. I started noticing more and more how this job was restricting my freedom. The fact that I’m working for an institution was really bugging me. Still, I kept telling myself that I needed to do my job because I need to be there for the kids, I’m the one to help them.

…just got up from my 8am nap, 10 min before the alarm thinking that I overslept again as I felt so refreshed. To my relieve it was only 8.20. Great.

New decisions. I know for certain that I need to quit that job and regain my freedom. The polyphasic sleeping will help me as I have more time on my hands to do what I really want. I’m going to practice more affirmations and the law of attraction. I believe, from now on, that next year I won’t be teaching in the College. I know that this sounds almost impossible because at the moment we are mostly living from my salary but anything is possible as long as I change my belief system.
Freedom is on my way. Abundance is on my way. Creativity is on my way.

Friday 19 December 2008

Polyphasic sleep day 18 and 19

Wednesday/Thursday
Last night I overslept again. I came home quite late and after shower and a small bite to eat I went for my 8pm nap and….woke up around 10pm. I wasn’t happy. I tried to stay up but t was very difficult so I decided to o to sleep and wake up around midnight.
Oh, the bed was such a pleasure. I enjoyed every minute of it and didn’t get p until 5am. I was disappointed in myself and seven surprised because the night before was perfect, I was fully awake and enjoyed myself. To be honest I think it’s down to working too hard.
At work I missed my 8am nap but did the other two.
Then in the evening I went with my family to watch my older daughter Christmas Show at her school. The show was excellent and very rewarding. However it started at 7.30 and that meant missing my 8pm nap. Well, I couldn’t do anything about it. I just missed it. We came back home around 22.30 so I had a shower and managed to say awake till 23.30. I took the nap. Woke up and stayed awake until 20pm. I took another nap. I knew I had to catch up for my missing nap.
Now I’m just about to have my 4am nap. The night wasn’t very easy but I managed. As soon as I feel very sleepy I just go downstairs and start pottering around. This helps a lot and then I can go back to reading or listening.
I slept on and off from 4am till 8am.
It’s 9am in the morning and I’m at home! Now the true experiment will start.

Wednesday 17 December 2008

Polyphasic sleep day 17

I overslept last night. I don’t know what happened but after my midnight nap I went straight to sleep again and woke up 1,5h later. I was so spaced out I couldn’t walk straight. I was totally gone. There was no point to struggle and I went to sleep again. I slept through till 4am and then lazed about for another 30 min. It felt so good, just lying in bed. I really miss it.
I went to work as normal and then followed my routine. I felt good and didn’t have any trouble falling asleep. In fact I had very good quality naps.
Let’s see what’s going to happen tonight?

I have just woken up from my midnight nap and feel fantastic. I think I know why I overslept yesterday. Well, my day/night is divided into 6 sections and I just realized that in all of them I’m fully engaged working or driving/preparing food, etc. I do not actually rest properly and that’s what missing from my routine and that’s what my body and mind are craving for.
This evening for a change between 8 pm and midnight I just watched a movie with my family, talk to my husband and my daughters and just chilled out. The result is great.
I also realized that I’m constantly ‘locked up’ in a building. I don’t have enough fresh air. I drive to work in a dark and leave in a dark, I come home and stay all day inside.
That’s winter for you. The only time I can go for walks is at the weekends. Summer would be so much better as I could go for walks early mornings at around 4am! That would be great. Never mind.
I just got two days of work and then two weeks of holidays so I’ll make sure that I’ll have plenty of fresh air. Apparently the weather is changing for better and on Friday it’s going to be sunny and 10 degree. Hurray! Friday is my first day of holidays.

Meanwhile I sneak at least once in the evening to the garden and stand bare foot on the grass breathing, 7-14 long powerful breaths. That helps a lot.

Monday 15 December 2008

Polyphasic sleep day 16

Last night was clear and smooth. I enjoyed myself listening, reading and knitting.
In my drive to work I was fully awake, not a trace of tiredness. At last. I must admit I had a cup of weak green tea before I left so maybe this has given me a boost for my drive.
However after my 8am nap at work I found myself struggling again. This was new to me as that never happened before. Eventually around 10am I gave up and had a coffee. That was such a relief but I was also worried if I would be able to go to my midday nap without any problems. Luckily I went into a deep sleep straight away and woke up refreshed and in a good mood.
During the rest of the day I was alert and in full control. I have only three day of work left but there are lots of deadlines to meet. I even took some work home and already worked on it for couple of hours.
It’s almost midnight and I’m looking forward to my nap. I must say what I miss the most is relaxing in bed and meditating. I can’t do it yet as I just fall sleep straight away. Today before my 8pm nap I was trying to do some energy work but I just went to sleep. Mind you it was just 10min before my nap so no surprises that I went out as soon as I hit the pillow. I was trying to do meditation sitting up but again as soon as I close my eyes I’m gone. Hopefully that will improve with time.
I’m starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel. More often I have some moments of total bliss and brilliance.
Doing the uberman schedule and working full time is quite tiring so I’m looking forward to holidays.

Polyphasic sleep day 15

3.52am. The night went well but I had some mini crisis, it started at around 2am and at 3am became quite strong so I had to occupy myself physically/domestically. It wasn’t that bad but I thought I would be through with this by now.
Anyway, it’s time for my nap now and then preparation for work. I’m anxious again about my driving. I just hope I won’t have to fight with the urge to sleep again.

Sunday 14 December 2008

Breakthrough

Friday night was my best night since the beginning of this experiment. I felt great, awake and in control. In the morning I let myself go and lazed about. I stayed in bed and had several small naps in between reading and surfing the net. Eventually I jumped out of bed at 10am and went for my dance step aerobic class. I performed really well and my concentration level was also very high. I remembered the routine with no problems and physically was very strong too.
The day went by really well mainly cooking with my husband the for the dinner party. As I said earlier I didn’t have a very good nap at 8pm not the extra one at 10pm. Throughout the evening I’ve developed very strong headache. I wasn’t drinking any wine or eating any heavy/cooked food but still felt awful.
Eventually at around 2am after reading more about polyphasic sleep I decided to let go completely and sleep as long as possible.
I slept till 8am, woke up and slept again until around 10.30am. I felt better but my head was still hurting. I felt like I had a hangover but from what? I felt better and better as the day progressed and eventually went for a nap at 4pm.
This was a breakthrough. I had great quality nap and felt like a newborn baby after that. My next nap at 8pm was also very good and now I feel myself again, fresh and focused with no pain anywhere. I’m full of energy and creativity. At last!
I don’t know what to think about this weekend but for sure I went through some kind of breakthrough and stepped to the next level. It has been two weeks now so hopefully the worst is behind me. I just hope that from no on I will be able to improve every day.
It has been a hard and difficult journey so far and any set back could mean the end of it but I don’t want that of course.
This night will be the test and I’m looking forward towards it.

Polyphasic sleep day 14

The dinner party finished at 1.30 am. It was great fun but it also messed up my schedule. I tried to fall asleep at 7pm before the arrival of the guests but it didn’t really worked. I also managed to sneak out at 10am but still didn’t hit the deep sleep. There was also the noise factor.
At 2am I went for a nap and now am just about to go again for my 4am nap, however I’m thinking about changing my tactics and just go for a long sleep. Apparently this is very common and recommended just to let go and from time to time sleep as much as possible. Since I can only stay in my bedroom and read or write I might as well go to sleep. The house is full of guests and I don’t have a freedom to move around.

Polyphasic sleep day 13

Friday
Last night I managed to survive until 4am but it was extremely difficult. After the nap I fell asleep again until 5.10. It took me while to come back to my full senses and I left for work at 6.30. The drive was fine until about half way through and then the usual fighting against sleep started again. It wasn’t that bad though.
During the day again I felt awake and fresh. Now my body is slowly shutting down just before the nap. It’s a good sign but I felt it today quite strong nudges from my body.
I did my ashtanga class tonight.
It’s Friday and I’m happy as there is no more going to work for two days. I can relax at home and gather up my strength.
On the other hand there is a slight problem because we have a dinner party tomorrow. I will have to take an early nap at 7.30 just before the guests arrive and then snick out at midnight again if people will be still awake. This is not too bad but the problem will be with finding space for myself during the rest of the night as some people are staying overnight and all rooms including the living room/kitchen will be occupied.
There is only my husband’s study left and I won’t have a freedom of wondering to the kitchen and pottering around as usual in the moment of crisis.
I just have to hope for clear body and mind so I can stay awake in one place.

Anyway I’m just after my midnight nap and feeling good. I volunteered to pick up my daughter and her boyfriend from a night club around 3am! It’ll save them money for a taxi back home.

So far so good. It’s 2.19am and I’m still going strong. I’ve just watched the last episode of ‘Survivors’ on BBC I Player and I didn’t feel asleep! My head is not completely clear but I’m very awake. That’s definitely a progress.

4.38 am. I just woke up from my nap and feel great! My head is clear, no sleepiness, no drowsiness but instead very conscious expanding feeling.
This is my best night so far. I stayed alert until 4am and yes I picked up my daughter and her boyfriend from a night club at 3 am. All is good.

Saturday 13 December 2008

Polyphasic sleep day 12

It’s not easy. Yesterday morning after 4am nap I did more yoga and prepared lunch. I was good. I took extra nap at 6am in preparation for a long day ahead. Unfortunately I didn’t jump out of bed straight away and therefore I fell asleep again. I woke up 6.48 and I was a zombie again. The journey to work was the worst ever, I couldn’t stay awake. I was literally falling asleep as I was driving. Not good.
At work I took 8am nap and after that slowly started coming up to my senses. The rest of the day was great.
I have woken up from my midnight nap disappointed. My head was very cloudy and I just wanted to go back to sleep. The clarity, which I had yesterday is gone without a trace. It is only 1am and I’m already struggling to be awake.
I was going to watch a movie but that’s out of question. Yes, I’m going to do some more cooking.
Only 1.10 and it’s a real struggle. I have been dozing off while writing this blog?! I need that nap at 2am.
It’s almost 2am. I did some delicious cucumber relish for my raw samosas for dinner party on Saturday. I couldn’t do the ice cream because I need mango but that can be done tomorrow night.
I’m more awake but still I’m going to take that nap in a few minutes. I have been working very hard this week and need more naps at night. During Christmas holidays I will wean myself off these extra naps.

Thursday 11 December 2008

Polyphasic sleep day 11

The fog has lifted! Wow, I can’t believe it, my head is crystal clear. I was seriously doubting that this moment would come. The last couple of days were a real struggle. It was so difficult to wake up from the nap at night, my head was very heavy and I felt like a zombie but I managed to keep going knowing that this must end.
Here it is. I just woke up from my midnight nap and I’m totally refreshed, as good as new. For the first time I feel really awake, clear and full of energy. If that’s going to continue then I’m definitely going on.
I had a very busy day at work and came back late again, around 10pm. I felt good during the day, no side effects, no tiredness. I managed to have good naps except the last one at 8pm so when I came home I immediately went for a nap. I woke up a little bit spaced out but it was within my norm and now I’m after the midnight nap.
I have no idea if this wonderful feeling of awakening will last and if so how long so I’m enjoying it catching up on my private work.

“As you go about your daily activities, from the moment you get up in the morning up to the time that you go back to sleep, constantly imagine that you are smiling inwardly at your outer reality as you go about your daily activities. Imagine that you are smiling from the deeper recesses of your mind, originating from within your heart area, and that you are projecting that happiness and smile outward through your eyes and expression. No matter what the circumstances are. You will find increasingly that your eyes will be smiling and so will your mouth, that will often curl up to a slight smile.

At the same time imagine that your heart constantly expresses a great inward smile filled with pure joy of being alive, no matter what.” Nick Good’s little crafty exercise…

2am, starting to feel a little bit tired. I could do a 2am extra nap but I think I skip it and go to the kitchen to prepare some raw food instead.

3.20am that was a good move. I made some raw cashew cakes. Tomorrow I make some ice creams.
I also did standing postures of ashtanga yoga and that was very rejuvenating.

Wednesday 10 December 2008

Day 10

This was my best day ever. I felt wonderful during the day. At work I was sharp, focused and in good spirit. My naps were of a highest quality so far, deep and sound. I had a long day and came back home around 10pm. My 8pm nap at work was the weakest but it didn’t affect the drive home. I was fine. When I came home I had a shower and wanted to rest in bed for a while. Actually I really miss that, just resting in bed. I can’t afford to do it yet as it sets me of to sleep again.
I put myself in a sitting position and dosed off for about 30min but not into a deep sleep. I was just hovering. I then cleared the kitchen and felt good.
My midnight nap wasn’t straight forward again. I was woken up by a dishwasher. It always beeps loudly when it finishes and it did woke me up after 15-20min. So I decided to take another nap. I set up my alarm for another 30min. and woke up 1h later! I slept throughout the alarm!? That never happened before. I woke up only 30 min. later so again it was another double act nap. I slept for an hour. I felt groggy and very sleepy but decided to do some yoga and it helped!

Day 9

It wasn’t easy today. I felt tired at work, clouded and sleepy and I didn’t have much energy going in me. Only after 4pm nap I felt refreshed and so much better, which was good considering I had to drive home. I did yoga at home, had something to eat and relaxed. I was watching the ‘Celestial Prophesy’ move on computer in bed. Bad move as I was starting to fall asleep and for the second part of the film I was semi conscious.
After the midnight nap I fall asleep into another nap again. This was because I didn’t jump out of bed again trying to recall my dream. Luckily I only slept another 25 min. and woke up by myself. I had another dream, so it was literally a double act.
After 4am nap I did yoga and that helped a lot. I think I might start doing sections of yoga after every nap to help me to wake up better. I’m really good now and it’s 5.24 am. I’m not going to take my 6am nap as I feel strong enough to go straight to work. By the way yesterday morning drive was a struggle.

Monday 8 December 2008

Polyphasic sleep day 8

It’s almost 1am and I’m struggling. I’m surprise, usually this slot goes smoothly and I feel alive. For some reason today is not the case. I feel heavy and tired. I can’t read but writing is better.
For the first time I’m starting to doubt myself. Why am I doing this? Is it worth it? Am I damaging yourself? Is it safe? Why don’t I just forget about it and go back to the way I used to be?
I’m going to work tomorrow, the weekend is over and again I’m a little bit apprehensive about driving. I’m going to take extra nap at 6am as planned.
The other side of me is loving this experiment. I have so much time on my hands. Today my daughter asked me to help her to bake a cake for her friend’s birthday. Normally I would try to get out of it saying that I don’t have time. Now I agreed and even made the cake by myself. I didn’t mind. The time wasn’t an issue here and I enjoyed myself but now I’m struggling a little and want to go to sleep.
It has been a week since I started my adventure.

Sunday 7 December 2008

Time

I have been always protective over my time and wasn’t very happy that most of my days were dedicated to full time work. I love my work but it takes all my days. I leave early and come back late only in the evenings I could have some, very little time for myself.
Well this has changed now. Suddenly I realised that my day/night is divided into 6 sections and I only work at my job during two sections. That means I have 4 sections of time for myself! Very strange, I was always interested in the concept of time and how one can stretch it or shrink it. Now I have lots and lots of time for myself.
At the moment I’m still going through the adaptation faze, and although I’m almost through it I think I need to wait another week to finish it.
I still don’t operate fully. I’m not tired but somehow don’t have that energy and enthusiasm I used to have. Everything has slowed down now as if I’m in the slow motion. I stretched the time so it flows slower and I’ve changed my gears, became more relaxed.
I feel like I’m observing more rather than participating. I’m not sure which state I prefer yet. I’ll wait another week and do another evaluation.

Polyphasic sleep day 7

I just woken up from my 4am nap and I’m not happy; I overslept! Not much but still, I’m not myself and feel really groggy. I can’t keep my eyes open…it’s 520am

20min. later and I feel a little bit better but still difficult to write. I’m going to have another nap at 6am and then do some yoga.

That was a good move although I still felt groggy after the nap but yoga just saved me. Now I know that I’ll have to put that extra nap at 6am because the period between 4-8am is the most difficult one. I also decided to jump straight out of bed. This is the hardest waking up as the house is cold and I’m cold and just want to get warm under the covers. Our heating is off between midnight and 4am. Another reason I overslept was due to the fact that I was trying to remember my dream…
It feels good, I’ve got a tactic and will stick to it. As I remember Steven Pavlina also had a problem with this period staying awake. He was taking the extra nap for a while. I shall do the same.
Otherwise the whole day yesterday was great apart from that early morning slot but I didn’t overslept yesterday and felt better. However after 8am nap I woke up refreshed and was trying to remember my dream and after about 30min. fell asleep gain for about 20 min. I woke up without the alarm disappointed at myself that I overslept. The room was very bright and I thought it was very late. Fortunately enough it was only 1h later.
I went to my step aerobic class and managed very well. I was not as sharp as I always am but I enjoyed it and finished it not too exhausted.
I also went for a short walk to my local health shop and discovered raw ice creams!!! I was ecstatic and they tasted beautifully. I also bought lots of other stuff to do lots of yummy raw food. In the latest Get Fresh magazine there are some great recipes for Indian food.
The other extra difficult factor is that I’m doing it in the winter. It is very cold at the moment and dark most of the time. In the summer I could go to the garden in the night for some breathing exercises and/or early morning to do gardening.
Never mind, it is as it is and I’m going to stick with it.

Saturday 6 December 2008

Polyphasic sleep day 6

Last night was the most challenging of all the moments since I started this experiment. After the midnight nap I stayed awake for couple of hours but then the crisis hit me from nowhere. I was falling asleep, I didn’t have any energy to get up and do something, to fight that sleepy mood. Negative thoughts started lingering around me. i was doubting the whole experiment and felt that there was no point to continue.At 3am I gave up. I was also scared that I won’t be able to drive to work, that I will be that tired for the whole day. I decided to go to sleep for couple of hours and put the alarm clock for 5am. The alarm went off and I set it up for another 30min. I couldn’t get up from bed and only the thought of work, my job, moved me out. I felt so groggy and disorientated, it was an awful feeling, the worst I’ve experienced so far. It took me around 40min. to slowly come back to myself. I was preparing my lunch and thinking about this whole concept.
Strangely enough I was encouraged to go on, something was inspiring me and telling me to go on . Okay, I slipped but I decided to go back to my nap routine. I was planning a list of jobs I could do to keep me awake the next night. I decided to clear up my desk, do some ironing, prepare some raw dishes, etc. Sitting by the computer or reading was out of question.
To my surprise the drive to work was easy and I had the 8am nap when I arrived.
I couldn’t believe it but I felt very good throughout the whole day. Very strange, no foggy head, no tiredness, no drowsiness. I was just having a good day at work. My senses were sharp, my concentration level was high, and I’ve achieved a lot that day.
The drive home was also easy. It is 2am now and I’m doing very well.
At 9pm I watched a movie with my husband, who fell asleep on the sofa half way through. I was looking at him thinking how strange this whole concept is. It was supposed to be me being very tired and falling asleep, it was me who hardly slept since last Monday and here I was fresh and alert.
I feel very good so far and hope the rest of the night will pass without any major surprises. i'm happy to read and sit by my computer.

Friday 5 December 2008

Polyphasic sleep day 5

Day five was very smooth but only in some sections. I felt really great at work. I was functioning as my normal old self and was even surprised that this could be possible. Then I had a nap at 4pm, which was interrupted by a text message. I use my phone as the alarm clock and clearly that’s not a good idea because anybody can call or text and throw me out of my cycle and that’s exactly what happened. The text came right in the middle of my nap. I couldn’t go back to sleep so I got up. I drove back home and that was fine but when I arrived I started to decline, down, and down to the level of a zombie.
This wasn’t good so I took an extra nap at 6pm but it didn’t help that much. Finally just before my 8pm nap I started to feel better. I took my 8pm nap and after that I felt fine, back to normal. I stayed in bed and read the book.
My eyes started to hurt so I did some meditation. Yes I’m realising now that all this exra time now I’m reading or writing on the computer and that’ can’t be good for my eyes and ultimately for my body. My confidence in the success of this experiment is starting to fall. Am I doing the right thing?
It’s winter now and I can’t go outside in the middle of the night, well I can but it won’t be pleasant. On top of that the heating goes off before midnight and 4am so the house gets pretty cold in the night. That’s not comfortable too.
I’ll keep going, I’m determined to do my 30 days unless I won’t see any benefits coming my way very soon.
I just got up from my midnight nap. It was good and I can remember some bits and pieces of my dream. I was fully awake when I woke up and decided to stay in bed for a while; it was soft and warm. I stayed for another 40min. but I didn’t fell asleep. I wasn’t fully conscious and was dipping in and out of this state. I never did fell asleep but was hovering on the edges of it.
Now I regret that because I feel a little bit groggy and down. I started questioning my experiment. Next time I’m jumping out of bed straight after my nap. I have a real urge to go to sleep now but it’s only 2am and my next nap is not until 4am. I will hang on and hope to feel better.
I’m also becoming more hungry and therefore started eating more. When I wake up from my naps I really need to eat. I didn’t expect that. I need to make some raw food snacks. Yesterday in my zombie state I eat some bread!

Thursday 4 December 2008

Polyphasic sleep day 4

I’ve made a big decision today and moved from my transition sleep (including core sleep) to classic Uberman polyphasic sleep. I suddenly had an insight today and figured out that I can do it even with my full time day job!
My cycle now is 8am; 12noon; 4pm; 8pm; etc It’s brilliant. It fits perfectly with my schedule.
Today was quite tough during the day. I had that headache and after my noon nap between 2-4pm I felt really tired and drained. It was probably because I didn’t really slept at noon. I found an empty room in the building and laid my mat, I even brought a blanket and a small cushion but it didn’t help. I almost drifted away but I didn’t hit REM for sure.

I then had a nap at 4pm and this same thing happened, no deep sleep. I was worried that I’ll get really tired and I had a 40min. car journey in front of me.
To my surprise I had no problem with the driving, came home, did yoga, had a shower and felt really good. I did some reading and was ready for my 8pm nap. This time I fell asleep and had a dream but unfortunately I didn’t remember it. I still have a problem with recalling dreams. I know it’s a faze because normally I can recall dreams very easily.

The next 4 hours was a bliss. I felt so good. I felt really, really good. I had some salad and read a book for most of the time. I went to sleep with my husband at midnight but I only slept for 20min. So here I’m now, feeling good and refreshed. I had some problems falling asleep because I wasn’t very tired before my midnight nap but luckily I managed to go deep. Still can’t remember my dreams. Never mind, I’m adjusting.
I read some other polyphasic blogs earlier and was surprised that most people had problems with having too much time on hands.
I love it and still don’t have enough but that’s also to do with the fact that I have full time job during the day and I can’t do anything for myself at that time. The extra time at night gives me the pleasure of not chasing time anymore. I used to wait for weekends so impatiently so I could catch up on reading, e-mails, movies, knitting, preparing raw food, and educating myself. Now I can do it all. Wonderful.
I’m a little bit apprehensive how I will feel in the morning, driving to work and going through another day, as this is my first classic cycle. I hope that the transition stage with the core sleep helped me to adapt better and I won’t go through a zombie time.
To be honest I didn’t experienced it so maybe I’m now at the end of the tunnel.

I’m also slightly concerned about tissue repair, which usually happens during monophasic sleep. Will I age faster? I have no idea. I will have to find out by myself. People at work commented that I look very good so far and I’m surprised that I don’t have big black circles under my eyes from lack of sleep.

Wednesday 3 December 2008

Polyphasic sleep day 3

I thought that day two would be worst then day 1 but it was the opposite. I felt really good during the day. I had a 6am nap and drove to work at 7am. I must admit I was struggling a bit but the journey was safe. I was more alert at work and even did some challenging tasks I thought I wouldn’t be able to do until this adaptation phase will be over. Strangely enough when I went for my noon nap I was not able to fell asleep so I just rested. This was quite a surprise for me but on the other hand I wasn’t that tired in the first place. My next nap was at 6pm at home and driving back from work wasn’t an issue anymore. My journey is about 40min. long each way.
Again I had a lovely relaxing evening and settled for bed at 11pm. Just before I went to sleep I felt a headache coming on, nothing major but it was there. I was wondering if it was to do with my sleep pattern or just dehydration. Three hours later I woke up and it’s still lingering there.
I had some dreams but still can’t remember them very well. I usually recall dreams with no problems but because the sleeping period shrank so much I’m naturally a little bit out of sink. I also noticed for the first time that I had a dream at my 6pm nap too. That’s good news, hopefully soon I will be able to tap into my dreams and even become lucid.

Overall I’d say that my day was better than my night. I really struggled with getting up last night from my core sleep at 2am. Tonight was easier and straight after awakening I decided to do yoga, which helped. My next nap will be at 6am and then I will try again for the noon nap. Maybe I don’t need I anymore? The core sleep and the two naps at 6am and 6pm give me 4hours of sleep in total. Maybe that’s just fine? I know that the polyphasic sleep is about quality not the quantity. However I’m not doing the classic version on this sleeping pattern but I’m close enough so I’m waiting for the benefits…?

Tuesday 2 December 2008

Polyphasic Sleep Day 2

I’m still going down the stream. All is good. Apparently day two is the worst to overcome and I can feel it. Yesterday was a piece of cake. I did have a nap at 4am and 6am with no problems. I even woke up before the alarm from my 6am nap.
I went to work and functioned all day long as normal, although I felt a little bit isolated from my colleagues, as if they were living in a different time scale. I managed to get my lunch nap and slept through it with ease. It felt good. When I came home I took another nap at 6pm. I felt a bit apprehensive driving home last night and I was toying between having a nap at work before I left or at home. I felt good enough to drive and that was a right decision. The 6pm nap gave me a new boost of energy and my best time yet was that evening. I did some yoga, took a shower and felt relaxed and clear with no traces of tiredness. I went to bed at 11pm for my 3h core sleep. I woke up 20min. before the alarm but felt a little bit groggy.
The house is cold as there is no heating at night and it took me a good hour to come back to my normal state. It’s 3.27am now and I should be preparing for my 4am nap but I’m considering to skip it as I’m just getting to feel fully awake. I will definitely take my 6am nap before going to work. It might feel a little bit risky but if I won’t be coping at work I’ll take an extra nap there. I’m lucky to be able to do that. I have a mat and a blanket and a space for it, where I can be undisturbed.
My mind is still a little bit hazy but hopefully that will go soon. I haven't noticed any changes in my body apart from my muscles. They feel a little bit sore after my yoga.

Monday 1 December 2008

Polyphasic Sleep

It has been a year since i have been on this site! I'm still raw but I made some adjustments to suit my body in different weather conditions and seasons. I shall talk about it in my next post.
I'm starting a new phase in my life. It sounds big and scary and strangely enough I don't call this new phase an experiment, only because I'm adamant that I will succeed.

I learnt about Polyphasic sleep just yesterday and it just rung true for me. It was like switching from vegetarian/vegan to raw food. I didn’t know raw food diet existed as I didn’t know polyphasic life style existed.
I discovered this life style through raw food listening to Steve Pavlina (www.stevepavlina.com), it was a revelation to me. I read the whole blog by Steve Pavlina on polyphasic sleep and decided to try it.
Polyphasic sleep is opposite to monophasic sleep, where you don’t go to sleep for more than 30min. and nap throughout the whole 24 hours. You should aim for 6/7 naps during that time. Amazing concept.

Today is my first attempt. It’s Sunday and I was aiming to go to bed at 8pm. I had a shower at 7pm, and at 7.40 went to bed. I decided to do some energy work and chakra meditation beforehand trying to fell asleep at around 8pm.
My idea was to do a core sleep for 4 hours and then start napping. This decision was purely based on my life style. Unfortunately I’m not the master of my time yet as I work full time. I love my job at the moment but working all day long in an institution leaves me no time for other things (like writing this blogg), so I decided to try a different strategy to transfer to polyphasic sleep. Normally you start with naps straight away and become a zombie for two/three days. I can’t afford that and I didn’t want to wait until Christmas break as I’m so exited and itching to start straight away.

At 8pm I fell asleep with no problems but to my surprise woke up at 8.45! I just had a dream and open my eyes totally refreshed and awake. I decided to get up and change my plan to moving my core sleep to 11pm but shortening it to 3h. that way I would get 2 sleeping cycles of 90min.each. The main point of this is to get full REM sleep, which is the most important sleep for humans to function.
Another surprise ☺ I woke up at 1.55 before the alarm clock went on. Again I was fully awake and refreshed so I decided to write this blogg.
My next phase is switching to naps only so it may be difficult but hopefully my excitement will keep me going. I’m planning to take my first nap at 4am and then another one at 6am. I leave the house to go to work at 7am so that should work well.