We’ve now waved firmly goodbye to summer, and as the colder months slowly rise out of the ashes, we might find ourselves prioritising rest over the party girl mentality.
It’s no secret that the main secret to feeling both relaxed and energised is good sleep – but now, TikTok creators are hyping up ways to maximise their sleep. The original #sleep hashtag has now accumulated 3.5 million posts, leading to the birth of a little something called ‘sleepmaxxing’ (AKA, optimising sleep).
Thought it was the norm to enjoy one nice long slumber from night until the morning? Think again, because as part of this increasing trend towards improving sleep, discussions have turned to ‘.’
Confused? Here’s everything you need to know about TikTok’s latest wellness trend, from how to practise it to the benefits it might wield.
So, what is polyphasic sleep and how does it differ to just turning off your light and calling it a day at 10pm like most people would?
While human nature dictates that we generally sleep once, and at night (unless you’re on the night shift, that is!), TikTok is increasingly innovating new ways of enjoying a bit of shut-eye.
‘Polyphasic sleep, where sleep is divided into multiple shorter periods throughout the day rather than one long stretch, is often touted as a way to optimise wakefulness and potentially reduce the total amount of sleep needed,’ Dr Seeta Shah, GP and sleep adviser for Panda London, tells Metro.
‘The rationale behind polyphasic sleep is that by focusing on shorter, more frequent sleep cycles, particularly the more restorative phases like REM sleep, individuals may feel more rested despite sleeping fewer hours overall,’ Dr Seeta adds.
‘Some proponents argue that it can improve productivity, alertness, and even cognitive function by aligning sleep with the body’s natural circadian rhythms more effectively than traditional monophasic sleep.’
When it comes to sleepmaxxing more generally, Dr Seeta notes that it’s been attributed towards enhanced mood and emotional regulation, better cognitive function, improved physical health (aiding hormone regulation and cellular repair), and increased productivity and energy levels.
Who needs an afternoon cup of caffeine, after all?
Wondering how to balance polyphasic sleep with a full-time job? As Dr Seeta advises, this practice might be best suited to those with flexible schedules, such as freelancers or digital nomads – but they’re not the only ones who can tailor their routine to suit.
‘Shift workers, who often have irregular sleep patterns, may benefit from adopting polyphasic sleep as it allows them to break up their sleep across their off-hours. By taking short naps between work shifts, they may maintain a higher level of alertness and energy throughout their day,’ Dr Seeta adds.
‘Additionally, athletes and people in high-pressure environments where sustained mental sharpness is required might find polyphasic sleep beneficial for recovery and peak performance.’
With this in mind, is there a way that those working a traditional 9-5 can try it out for themselves?
Naturally, most office environments don’t allow regular napping during the day (unless you’re WFH and want to use your lunch hour for some extra shut-eye, that is!), but Dr Seeta notes that it’s possible to implement a variation on this routine.
As per her advice, full-time workers can try out a biphasic sleeping pattern (AKA, dividing sleeping blocks into two) by having a shorter ‘core sleep’ at night and a nap in the late afternoon or early evening.
‘For those in more structured jobs, sticking to a monophasic or biphasic sleep schedule may be more practical,’ Dr Seeta concludes.
‘As with any major changes to sleep habits, it’s important to pay attention to how your body responds and ensure that overall sleep quality is not compromised, as chronic sleep deprivation can have serious health implications.’
Sweet dreams!
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