Well, it’s now been 5 weeks since I first adopted the Uberman sleep schedule, and I think I’m still adjusting.  Typically it takes about 2 weeks, during which time about 1 week of that is extreme exhaustion as your body becomes sleep deprived, and eventually adapts.  

In my case, however, I’ve had a problem with oversleeping every few days, typically between the 1:30am and 5:30am naps.  When this happens (as it did this morning) I wake feeling overly tired and bloated.  My limbs feel like lead, and my muscles refuse to respond in a timely fashion.  I also have some joint pain – especially in the back.  If you don’t know, I have a back injury from when I was 14 that still hurts, and causes some mobility problems.  Some times are worse than others, and usually a good twist & pop sets it right for a bit.  Those times, when the pain is gone, I feel like a new person.

On the Uberman sleep, the naps are so short that the body doesn’t get to stiffen up from sleep.  I’m not sure if this is a good thing or not.  At first, I speculated that it would take longer to recover from exercise, but I have found this is not true.  I’ve worked out just as hard – if not harder – and recovered as normal – if not quicker.  It could be perception, but I do feel as if I’ve recovered quicker.  I’ve definitely had less of the "day after" effect, which I attribute to more activity which helps flush the lactic acid out of the system.

I’ve actually been exercising anywhere from 2-3 times per day on this schedule.  Partially out of necessity to stay awake, but also because I want to improve my tae kwon do.

As for some of the other, predicted side effects, I’ve experienced next to none.  I was told this kind of sleep could affect the transition of short-term to long-term memory, but I haven’t seen a noticeable difference.  I’ve continued Polish lessons, as well as other learning, at a normal pace and with no additional difficulties.

I have experienced the extreme sleepiness, where it is next to impossible to stay awake.  Lately I gave in to this, but I have now resolved myself to fight it more effectively.  

I’ve debated whether or not to continue this schedule.  My original plan was to go 1 month, make the adjustment, and decide whether to continue or not – with plans to do it again for the summer if possible.  Especially with an upcoming trip to Egypt planned, I wasn’t sure I’d want to stay up all night with nothing to do.

So far, the biggest causes of unwanted, unscheduled sleep have been boredom, and comfort.  Getting too comfortable and then falling asleep was more a problem of willpower.  Boredom was also partly due to willpower (I had things I could do, but didn’t feel like doing them), and also a lack of creativity and thoughtful planning.

One of the activities I’ve just recently tried to help keep me awake was something I’d forgotten: Learning.  Normally I’ll spend some time each day reading articles, watching videos, or perusing howstuffworks.com.  But I had stopped doing that (until tonight).  It’s a good way to do something low energy, but engaging enough to keep me awake.  Great for those "just before bed" moments, when working out is too much.

To summarize my experience so far – I’d say it’s been more difficult than I first thought, and though I’m pretty sure I’m not fully adapted – the benefits are great.  I feel really great, both physically and mentally.  The extra time didn’t have the effect I first thought, which would be to allow me to do more things I enjoyed.  Rather, it lowered my stress by allowing me to slow down and spread out the things I’m currently doing, with some time for other activities, like bike riding.  I’ve also had more time to finish chores, which also lowers my stress, as I always have food on hand and (usually) have a very clean house.  

These updates have been pretty standard, so you’ll notice I’ve slowed down on them.  I think instead, during the time I would normally report on, or complain about, this sleep schedule, I will work on some creative writing – one of my goals with the sleep has been to write more, and so far I’ve only barely managed that.

Till next time…