Comments on: Maximizing The Effectiveness Of Your Sleep – So You Have More Time For Life’s Activities http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/ Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:47:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Patricia - Spiritual Journey Of A Lightworker http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/comment-page-1/#comment-51977 Patricia - Spiritual Journey Of A Lightworker Tue, 31 Jul 2007 04:45:00 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/#comment-51977 Interesting idea that I have not heard before. I have learned to do whatever works for me. That doesn't mean it will work for someone else. Interesting idea that I have not heard before. I have learned to do whatever works for me. That doesn’t mean it will work for someone else.

]]> By: Mitch http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/comment-page-1/#comment-51905 Mitch Mon, 30 Jul 2007 23:26:13 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/#comment-51905 Suzanne, IANA sleep expert, but I temped for one a few weeks about five years ago, and if I recall correctly if you don't get enough REM you will start going into REM immediately upon falling asleep. I think this is why Most Significant Digit is reporting strange dreams lately (e.g. teaching harmonic analysis to a cat)--his insomnia's acting up a little bit. I'd be more worried about the deep sleep--its role is even more murky. And I don't think it starts to compensate for itself right away. Anyone who has temped for sleep experts more recently, please correct me. Suzanne, IANA sleep expert, but I temped for one a few weeks about five years ago, and if I recall correctly if you don’t get enough REM you will start going into REM immediately upon falling asleep. I think this is why Most Significant Digit is reporting strange dreams lately (e.g. teaching harmonic analysis to a cat)–his insomnia’s acting up a little bit.

I’d be more worried about the deep sleep–its role is even more murky. And I don’t think it starts to compensate for itself right away.

Anyone who has temped for sleep experts more recently, please correct me.

]]> By: vh http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/comment-page-1/#comment-51581 vh Sun, 29 Jul 2007 23:06:52 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/#comment-51581 Wow...this makes me feel a lot better about the chronic insomnia, especially after reading the Wikipedia article Elaine posted. Maybe it's NORMAL to be awake for a couple of hours during the middle of the night. Now, if we could all persuade our bosses to give us a siesta break after lunch.... Wow…this makes me feel a lot better about the chronic insomnia, especially after reading the Wikipedia article Elaine posted. Maybe it’s NORMAL to be awake for a couple of hours during the middle of the night. Now, if we could all persuade our bosses to give us a siesta break after lunch….

]]> By: Tubaman-Z http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/comment-page-1/#comment-51542 Tubaman-Z Sun, 29 Jul 2007 19:13:28 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/#comment-51542 I live in MN where the days and nights are decidedly of different length during the summer and winter. I find that I sleep much more during the winter (shorter days/longer nights) than the summer. I lived in FL for 5 years where the differences were less dramatic and slept more equally year-round. I live in MN where the days and nights are decidedly of different length during the summer and winter. I find that I sleep much more during the winter (shorter days/longer nights) than the summer. I lived in FL for 5 years where the differences were less dramatic and slept more equally year-round.

]]> By: Mitch http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/comment-page-1/#comment-51473 Mitch Sun, 29 Jul 2007 14:59:33 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/#comment-51473 Pavlina's doing only short naps every four hours. You would need to go through some sleep deprivation to move REM to the beginning of the cycle. This is a milder approach: same total amount of sleep, and a couple of blocks of longer sleep (more than one 60-90 minute cycle). 3, 2, 1, and 1 are the lengths of the sleep sessions, kinda Pareto-like with the different lengths. Pavlina’s doing only short naps every four hours. You would need to go through some sleep deprivation to move REM to the beginning of the cycle. This is a milder approach: same total amount of sleep, and a couple of blocks of longer sleep (more than one 60-90 minute cycle). 3, 2, 1, and 1 are the lengths of the sleep sessions, kinda Pareto-like with the different lengths.

]]> By: Anne http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/comment-page-1/#comment-51328 Anne Sun, 29 Jul 2007 03:17:15 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/#comment-51328 Interesting approach, but there is something to be gained from several hours of continuous sleep. Interesting approach, but there is something to be gained from several hours of continuous sleep.

]]> By: SwingCheese http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/comment-page-1/#comment-51270 SwingCheese Sat, 28 Jul 2007 22:17:40 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/#comment-51270 In a nod to pop culture, I seem to remember Kramer doing something akin to this in an older episode of Seinfeld. If I remember correctly, he had to go back to sleeping on a regular schedule because he got bored :) @rob - I find that, over the summer, I do the same thing (sleep 8-10 hrs, up 17-18 hours). I never made the connection that a 30 hour day would be better for me. I just assumed that I was getting too much sleep! I'm going to have to check out that book - thanks for the recommendation. In a nod to pop culture, I seem to remember Kramer doing something akin to this in an older episode of Seinfeld. If I remember correctly, he had to go back to sleeping on a regular schedule because he got bored :)

@rob – I find that, over the summer, I do the same thing (sleep 8-10 hrs, up 17-18 hours). I never made the connection that a 30 hour day would be better for me. I just assumed that I was getting too much sleep! I’m going to have to check out that book – thanks for the recommendation.

]]> By: Trent http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/comment-page-1/#comment-51254 Trent Sat, 28 Jul 2007 20:52:53 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/#comment-51254 I've been checked for apnea. I am just a little more sensitive to changes in body chemistry than the average person, I think. I’ve been checked for apnea. I am just a little more sensitive to changes in body chemistry than the average person, I think.

]]> By: Joe http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/comment-page-1/#comment-51247 Joe Sat, 28 Jul 2007 20:24:53 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/#comment-51247 Trent have you been checked for sleep apnea? Those intense sleep feelings in the afternoon or at odd hours during the day are a classic sympton of sleep apnea. I would contact the sleep center in the Des Moines area to get checked out. When it comes to sleep I think we are all the same give or take an hour or two each day. Splitting your sleep up like that leads to depression in my opinion. Trent have you been checked for sleep apnea? Those intense sleep feelings in the afternoon or at odd hours during the day are a classic sympton of sleep apnea. I would contact the sleep center in the Des Moines area to get checked out. When it comes to sleep I think we are all the same give or take an hour or two each day. Splitting your sleep up like that leads to depression in my opinion.

]]> By: John http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/comment-page-1/#comment-51231 John Sat, 28 Jul 2007 19:29:14 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/#comment-51231 I was groggy during the day, but it was because of sleep apnea. I now sleep with a C-PAP machine and feel MUCH better during the day. And, of course, I don't snore, making my wife a very happy woman! Perhaps Trent should look at having a sleep study done. Maybe he has sleep apnea or maybe he doesn't, but a sleep study will confirm it or not. I was groggy during the day, but it was because of sleep apnea. I now sleep with a C-PAP machine and feel MUCH better during the day. And, of course, I don’t snore, making my wife a very happy woman! Perhaps Trent should look at having a sleep study done. Maybe he has sleep apnea or maybe he doesn’t, but a sleep study will confirm it or not.

]]> By: Jeanne http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/comment-page-1/#comment-51197 Jeanne Sat, 28 Jul 2007 16:51:08 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/#comment-51197 Louise, Rob, Trent: I was not saying Trent needs to dispense personal advice for everyone (otherwise I wouldn't have written "finding time to nap is an individual pursuit"). Nor am I criticizing his advice. I was simply saying it would have been helpful for suggestions that appealed to a wider audience who may not have as flexible a schedule. I do not expect Trent to email me my own napping itinerary. Relax, everybody. It's all good, really. Louise, Rob, Trent: I was not saying Trent needs to dispense personal advice for everyone (otherwise I wouldn’t have written “finding time to nap is an individual pursuit”). Nor am I criticizing his advice. I was simply saying it would have been helpful for suggestions that appealed to a wider audience who may not have as flexible a schedule. I do not expect Trent to email me my own napping itinerary. Relax, everybody. It’s all good, really.

]]> By: Suzanne http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/comment-page-1/#comment-51142 Suzanne Sat, 28 Jul 2007 13:25:31 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/#comment-51142 This sounds like it's working for you; you do get an awful lot accomplished! However, you are probably missing out on the rejuvenating REM sleep. REM periods get longer and longer through the night (or period of sleep--whenever that is). REM stands for "rapid eye movement" which occurs when you dream. If you look at the research you'll find that REM is very important to your long-term health. This sounds like it’s working for you; you do get an awful lot accomplished! However, you are probably missing out on the rejuvenating REM sleep. REM periods get longer and longer through the night (or period of sleep–whenever that is). REM stands for “rapid eye movement” which occurs when you dream. If you look at the research you’ll find that REM is very important to your long-term health.

]]> By: Trent http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/comment-page-1/#comment-51138 Trent Sat, 28 Jul 2007 13:00:10 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/#comment-51138 Louise, Rob: I get a lot of emails directly at me along those lines, too. If I sat and paid much attention to them, I'd never write anything interesting - it would all be incredibly bland. Louise, Rob: I get a lot of emails directly at me along those lines, too. If I sat and paid much attention to them, I’d never write anything interesting – it would all be incredibly bland.

]]> By: Rob in Madrid http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/comment-page-1/#comment-51135 Rob in Madrid Sat, 28 Jul 2007 12:42:36 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/#comment-51135 Well said Louise, my favourite is "your's used to be my favourite blog but becuase you wrote some that offended me blah blah blah" If I have time I'll have a 5 -10 min power nap in the afternoon and often the wife and I will have a half hour snooze before heading out for an evening. Well said Louise, my favourite is “your’s used to be my favourite blog but becuase you wrote some that offended me blah blah blah”

If I have time I’ll have a 5 -10 min power nap in the afternoon and often the wife and I will have a half hour snooze before heading out for an evening.

]]> By: The Financial Blogger http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/comment-page-1/#comment-51111 The Financial Blogger Sat, 28 Jul 2007 10:51:51 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/#comment-51111 Sounds like an interesting sleeping system. It also sounds like a forced sleeping system when you have kids! As they are not necessarily sleeping regular hours, you might end up having this kind of sleep! Aren't not lost when you wake up after only 3 hours of sleep? Each time I do it, I wake-up and feel like I am on another planet. Sounds like an interesting sleeping system. It also sounds like a forced sleeping system when you have kids! As they are not necessarily sleeping regular hours, you might end up having this kind of sleep!

Aren’t not lost when you wake up after only 3 hours of sleep? Each time I do it, I wake-up and feel like I am on another planet.

]]> By: rob http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/comment-page-1/#comment-51089 rob Sat, 28 Jul 2007 08:46:03 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/#comment-51089 Interesting, I think the main idea the author is trying to get across is to do what works for you. In Trent's case, it's taking naps when groggy. In my case, during those times when I didn't need to be awake at a certain time (during weekends or when on vacation), I would gravitate towards sleeping longer, 8-10 hours, and staying awake longer too, 18-20 hours. So my natural cycle would be more conducive to a 30-hour day. For a contrary opinion on the whole sleep/health/work thing, I really enjoyed the book 'The Joy of Laziness' by Peter Axt. Recommended. Interesting, I think the main idea the author is trying to get across is to do what works for you. In Trent’s case, it’s taking naps when groggy.

In my case, during those times when I didn’t need to be awake at a certain time (during weekends or when on vacation), I would gravitate towards sleeping longer, 8-10 hours, and staying awake longer too, 18-20 hours. So my natural cycle would be more conducive to a 30-hour day.

For a contrary opinion on the whole sleep/health/work thing, I really enjoyed the book ‘The Joy of Laziness’ by Peter Axt. Recommended.

]]> By: Teresa http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/comment-page-1/#comment-51071 Teresa Sat, 28 Jul 2007 07:25:10 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/#comment-51071 thank you louise. :) very well said. i would like to applaud you trent for finding a solution to your situation. i am in a somewhat similar situation, and enjoy my lifestyle immensely. smaller blocks of time sleeping work much better for me than the large 6-8 hour block of time. thank you louise. :) very well said. i would like to applaud you trent for finding a solution to your situation. i am in a somewhat similar situation, and enjoy my lifestyle immensely. smaller blocks of time sleeping work much better for me than the large 6-8 hour block of time.

]]> By: Louise http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/comment-page-1/#comment-51041 Louise Sat, 28 Jul 2007 05:20:41 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/#comment-51041 Trent I know you've written about this, and recently, but it annoys the hell out of me every time it happens, which is at least a few times a day... Fellow readers and commenters, Trent is NOT telling you what to do. He is not going to solve your problems for you. Something perfect for him may be the ruin of you. Something disastrous for Trent might be a lifesaver for you. Do not expect this blog to be a how-to for your own life. It's not. So don't criticize Trent for failing to tailor his ideas to your life. If you want a personalized post, send him an email about your situation and you might get lucky. Just stop getting so crabby about generalized posts that (by definition) don't conform perfectly to your personal circumstances. Trent I know you’ve written about this, and recently, but it annoys the hell out of me every time it happens, which is at least a few times a day…

Fellow readers and commenters, Trent is NOT telling you what to do. He is not going to solve your problems for you. Something perfect for him may be the ruin of you. Something disastrous for Trent might be a lifesaver for you. Do not expect this blog to be a how-to for your own life. It’s not. So don’t criticize Trent for failing to tailor his ideas to your life. If you want a personalized post, send him an email about your situation and you might get lucky. Just stop getting so crabby about generalized posts that (by definition) don’t conform perfectly to your personal circumstances.

]]> By: Jeanne http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/comment-page-1/#comment-50999 Jeanne Sat, 28 Jul 2007 02:23:28 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/#comment-50999 Trent, I've been reading your blog for about two months and I've found it to be full of practical, useful advice. This was the first post that prompted me to write, however, because your assumptions about finding time to nap left out a large chunk of your readership. Many of us may not have the flexibility you do at work; what about teachers, for example? I don't see a lunchtime nap in the cards for them during the school day (although maybe the kindergarten teachers could pull this one off!). What about those readers who don't have the luxury of childcare - where do they find the spare hour after work to snooze? What about those working two jobs to reduce debt? When's their nap time? I realize finding time to sleep is an individual pursuit; I wish you had provided more realistic ideas for those trying to embrace napping. Trent, I’ve been reading your blog for about two months and I’ve found it to be full of practical, useful advice. This was the first post that prompted me to write, however, because your assumptions about finding time to nap left out a large chunk of your readership.
Many of us may not have the flexibility you do at work; what about teachers, for example? I don’t see a lunchtime nap in the cards for them during the school day (although maybe the kindergarten teachers could pull this one off!). What about those readers who don’t have the luxury of childcare – where do they find the spare hour after work to snooze? What about those working two jobs to reduce debt? When’s their nap time?
I realize finding time to sleep is an individual pursuit; I wish you had provided more realistic ideas for those trying to embrace napping.

]]> By: lorax http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/comment-page-1/#comment-50992 lorax Sat, 28 Jul 2007 02:00:16 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/07/27/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-your-sleep-so-you-have-more-time-for-lifes-activities/#comment-50992 How on earth can you fall asleep during the day? I'm wired all day, as long as I got enough sleep the night before. Even if I didn't sleep well the night before, I've tried to sleep in the daytime, but it just doesn't work. How on earth can you fall asleep during the day?

I’m wired all day, as long as I got enough sleep the night before. Even if I didn’t sleep well the night before, I’ve tried to sleep in the daytime, but it just doesn’t work.

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