IT'S OK TO CALL ME BIPHASIC

IT'S OK TO CALL ME BIPHASIC
Saturday, January 29, 2022 by Leona Choy

I'm not polyphasic. Modern society makes us feel guilty or deprived or abnormal if we aren't monophasic. During my computer research on a totally different topic, I happened upon something that may also interest and enlighten you. That's why I'm sharing this. It is something that I've been experiencing for many years without recognizing it. I'm satisfied that I'm normal—in fact healthier—if I am biphasic.

I'm not referring to gender or sexual orientation. The topic is sleep. I'm not an insomniac nor do I have a sleep disorder. Today's norm, so we are told, should be for everyone to get 7-8 consecutive hours of nocturnal sleep all at one time each night. We are being persuaded that any interrupted sleep is not healthy. Ah-ha! Historically, it was not always so.

Just what is this ominous-sounding word that makes you think something is wrong with you? That you have some disease. It's not a circadian rhythm disorder either. Fear not! Biphasic means segmented sleep or divided night sleep into two sleep sessions with a peaceful, wakeful, creative, productive time between. It commonly includes a nap, a short period of sleep in the daytime. Some call it a “power nap” of whatever length your body and mind require.

It consists of going to sleep early at night, awakening in the post-midnight hours, and after the peaceful/productive session, returning to bed for the second period of 3-4 good sleep hours into the morning.

In the pre-industrial West, most people slept in two distinct blocks. Benjamin Franklin and many other noted people are prominent examples of this sleeping pattern. Biphasic sleeping is essential to the health of children, we all know that. It is believed to be the ancestral sleep state for all mammals. Biphasic sleep was not unique to Western households. Instead, it occurred well beyond the bounds of Europe and North America in other cultures and continents, including the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, and Latin America.

Most of us collapse into bed in the late evening, then spend the next 8 hours, if we're lucky, dreaming and snoring until the alarm rings. But that's not how everyone does it. Some folks do break up their slumber into two or more shifts. There's a lot of buzz that it's the way to go in today's fast-paced world when sound sleep is difficult to cultivate. But before you dive in and make plans for some middle-of-the-night chores, think carefully about whether it's really suited to your lifestyle.

Segmented sleep sounds trendy, but it's not a new idea. What was the factor that brought in the idea that 8 hours of Zzzs should be our target? Blame Thomas Edison and his discovery of electricity which launched the industrial revolution and the fast-paced, harried lifestyle we “enjoy” today. Before electricity, it was normal to get up for a couple of hours in the middle of the night. What did they do during that interval? According to historian/researcher Roger Ekirch, author of At Day's Close: Night in Times Past, “People spent the free post-midnight time praying, smoking, or even visiting their neighbors, chopping wood, stoking the woodstove, starting the morning porridge. Then they went back to sleep until morning.”

A study by the National Institute of Mental Health found that many adults get their shut-eye in typically two distinct phases, bridged by an intervening period of wakefulness of approximately one hour. These days some people may still be hardwired to follow that split schedule—using the middle-of-the-night awake period as a creative time to think, read, meditate, pray, work, reflect, and interpret dreams, which were more vivid at that hour than upon waking in the morning. According to Ekirch's findings, endorsed by other researchers, this time historically was a favorite time for scholars and poets to write uninterrupted, whereas still others visited neighbors, engaged in sexual activity, or commit petty crimes.

The brain exhibits high levels of the pituitary hormone prolactin during the period of nighttime wakefulness, which may contribute to the feeling of peace that most people associate with it. There are many people today for whom this seems to be a productive way to live and suits them just fine, but it may be difficult if you have family and a job you have to go to every day.

In medieval England, the two periods of night sleep were called "first sleep" (beauty sleep, and early slumber) and "second sleep" The Jews and Romans observed a kind of nocturnal segmentation called “watches of the night.” There are biblical references to these, which consisted of 3-hour portions starting with 6 in the evening with sunset and ending with 6 o'clock sunrise. Recall how Jesus awoke and “a great while before day went to the mountain to pray.” He did His water-walking during the third watch of the night. Mary Magdalene came to Jesus' sepulcher “as it began to dawn” and Jesus had already risen from the dead. Monasteries have traditionally kept to a similar schedule for their liturgical prayers as do Catholic clergy and many of the devout.

Where's the bottom line to all this? What's it got to do with me—or you—or your sleep habits?

I've been a happy, practicing biphasic for many years without realizing what was going on. I climb into bed each night with anticipation of a sacred encounter with God. I usually sleep a sound four hours first. Then it may be that an angel is assigned to wake me up for this special rich and precious quiet time. This is my personal, private listening encounter for the Holy Spirit's guidance and direction for the day ahead. Didn't the Psalmist David know that secret too? (Psalm 63:6,7 NIV) “On my bed, I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.” No electricity in the palace, of course.

The computer results from my Sleep Study session puzzled me—I didn't seem to conform to the usual patterns of sleep. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and have used a CPAP breathing system for years—nevertheless, I continued my segmented sleep with that wonderful, wakeful, bridge-time between. In the stillness of the night I let God know, as young Samuel did in the Old Testament story, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.” Then Jesus knows I'm tuned to the right channel.

No audible voice, but the Lord reminds me who to pray for, who to call and write to. I usually receive topics for my website blog posts and compose much of the contents in my mind. I'm getting better at capturing my each-night dreams before they evaporate. I've learned to use the take-notes section on my cell phone to jot down in the darkness brief reminder words or speak into the notes what I am “hearing” or being impressed or instructed.

SO HOW ABOUT YOU? Are you struggling to get back to sleep after a bathroom trek? Does your body really need a consecutive 8 hours? Do you simply lie in bed and worry or rehash the events of the day or the fears of the future? Are you missing something—Someone who is waiting for you? Are you wasting precious spiritual rendezvous time? You may complain that you never hear from God. “My sheep hear My voice....” Jesus stated that as fact. Are you listening in the night hours? Have you notified the Lord that you are available and tuned in? You may be biphasic too! Why not give God a chance to whisper His secrets to YOU?

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Comments

Jo Ciaramitaro From Michigan At 2/18/2022 2:27:11 PM

Thank you for this. Lately I've been struggling to go back to sleep after a bathroom trek, thinking that I need 7-8 hours of sleep. I do use that time to pray and talk to God, but I keep thinking I need to get back to sleep. Now I think I will just settle in and gratefully accept that time with God.

Reply by: Leona Choy

I believe you are on the right track, Jo! Just let the Lord know you are listening and ready to obey His whispers.

Dot From Dan At 1/30/2022 6:07:34 PM

That's me too. Early to bed, awake a few hours after midnight, up again about 7. No CPAP. Very cold here and snowed all day yesterday. Stuck at home but Facetiming or calling friends and family. Still busy on Facebook. Peace.

Reply by: Leona Choy

Sweet Dot, you are much more techy savvy than I am. Go, girl!

Valerie Deremer Gila From At 1/30/2022 5:37:49 PM

It is always interesting when I wake up in the middle of the night. It is almost 3:00 on the dot or very close to it. I always think to myself it is God waking me up to pray for someone or even evil as this time of the night is traditionally known as the time when witche's covens meet in the woods.

Reply by: Leona Choy

Nice to meet a fellow-biphasic

Susan From Sarnia, Ontario, Can At 1/30/2022 4:21:35 AM

You are describing my sleep pattern to a T. For the last 15 years I have been waking in the middle of the night. I recognized that God was calling me to spend time with him. This is my time to do my scripture reading . This is my direct line with the Divine. Thanks for this article.

Reply by: Leona Choy

Susan, fellow-biphasic, we are tuning to the right channel to hear God's whispered voice with great delight. Like "dwelling in the secret place of the Most High and abiding in the shadow of the Almighty."

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