January 2009

Sleeping less and perform better: My experience with biphasic sleep

This cursed (and blessed) blog has undoubtedly changed my life in many ways. One of the most important may have been the way it has disrupted my usual pattern of sleep-waking hours. I tell you: Prepare the inputs (and find things "public"), even if not created, by the caliber of the crap they give out here, "I stole a few good hours each day. If to this I add that, like all my neighbors, as well as work ... where do I get the time-and strength-for everything else? Not just blogs live man ... I want to lead a relatively "balanced" (with a girlfriend and everything, hear) ... where you can enjoy all I feel like doing those things (and not die of exhaustion in the attempt). Clearly the days of 24 hours I were running very short. What could I do? The solution is what connoisseurs call "biphasic sleep" ... state, as now you see, when I came gradually and completely natural.

The miracle and the result of this "art" is currently enough for me about 5 hours sleep a day (spread over 2 blocks) to stay active (and savvy) throughout the day. Perhaps many of you that figure does not impress them at all (all who signed it have babies right now). I understand. But in my case it is exceptional, being a stark contrast to my old model. Compare.

My scheme phase "of life" was to wake up at 7:00. Go to work until 15:00. And then "everything else" until 23:00, when I used to go to sleep. 8 hours of sleep ... that I fought to a bitter morning after waking up (I am of those who hit the sheets you sleep 8, 10 or 20 hours) and have a growing sense of weariness after noon. If you also ever dared to sleep a little later, at 12 for example ... oh! poor me! day ... I had no body next to nothing. There was a person.

When I started the blog my scheme was not affected at all. Substituted just minutes you spent on other pursuits by it. Of course, this is not "sustainable" for a long time. One would arise new concerns, or want to retake some of the past ... but also give to this passion. So every time for more things ... and therefore needs more time ... so just bringing me to sleep each day later. All this culminated in need of a restorative nap after lunch.

After all these progressive changes, which I repeat: it was not premeditated " now my schedule is as follows: I keep getting up-all todito - at 7, and keep working until 15:00 (that is unfailingly ). Then, after lunch, around 16:45, I take a nap generous. not get alarm ... I just hope to wake up naturally . But is usually about 90 minutes ... that as I explained in detail in a previous post famous, matches what exactly does a complete sleep cycle. If you recall, doing so is of vital importance ... as if any circumstances interrupt the cycle, instead of having recharged the batteries, you've got just the opposite: to be fucked and sleepy. After getting up (with renewed vitality) I have the strength to do what they like to, more or less, 3:30. Time when almost instantly fall into the arms of Morpheus, and I'm not talking about Fernando Alonso's girlfriend-(saving me the be rolling over in bed before falling asleep).

Downsides? Well, in my case over the weekend I return to "normal life", that is, the dream phase. That makes me come at noon quite eager to take my usual nap (which in those days I avoid or simply I can not afford), and that morning I run out of forces too soon, girls, do not be evil-minded. Besides not avoid it like a sock to get up every day, especially on Mondays-terrible ... but not worse than when I slept my 8 hours.

Did you recommend someone? Although I am not an expert, it seems that the practice phase (with reasonable amounts of sleep) can be dangerous. In fact sure many people, like me, I exercise without knowing it. If you want to make the most of the day, and you can afford it ... next! quite another is "polyphasic sleep" (also called Uberman method ) ... which, as it once may have heard, is to reduce at 2 and 5 hours of sleep daily, by naps of 20 to 50 minutes (spread throughout the day). It was always said that some celebrities such as Leonardo da Vinci , Edison, Franklin or Thomas Jefferson used this system ... but the truth is that they are mostly false statements (or unaudited) . What it has shown is that practice is usually bad for your health (sleep deprivation harms memory, the ability to solve problems, increased anxiety and stress, etc). Apart from that it makes little sense to be polyphasic when everyone lives "in phase". In fact, Steve Pavlina , the famous blogger who recounted his experience with polyphasic had to leave for this very reason ... there is little point be awake when everyone is asleep. These hours are not "worth" the same.

the saying that a picture is worth 1,000 words ... but sometimes much better. Sometimes a simple photo, you can change the world, to shake an entire society. These are now all that I bring. They are among my favorites, and they are a counterpoint to that a couple of months, my almost friend Alex from Neatorama , selected (in my opinion from a of view too "American"). Hope you like them.

Che's image

The famous picture of Che Guevara, is formally called Heroic Guerrilla - in which his face appears the black beret looking away, was taken by Alberto Korda on 5 March 1960, when Guevara was 31 years at a funeral for the victims of the explosion of the Coubre, but was not published until seven years later. The Art Institute of Maryland (USA) called "the most famous photo and graphic icon of the twentieth century world." It is also perhaps the most reproduced image in history, appearing on posters, t-shirts, artwork, and much more. Expressed from a universal symbol of rebellion "in all its interpretations-(still an icon for young people not affiliated with major political tendencies) to an image" sexy. "

Omayra's agony

Omayra Sanchez was a child victim of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano during an eruption that swept the town of Armero, Colombia in 1985. Omayra was 3 days trapped in the mud, water and traces of your own home. He was 13 years and during the time that remained was always stuck over the bodies of their relatives. When rescuers tried to help, they found that was impossible, as needed to remove his legs amputated, but had no surgery and may die. The other option was to bring a bike-pump that will suck the growing mud that was submerged. The only motor-pump available was far from the site, so you could only let it die. Omayra was strong until the last moment of his life, according to aid workers and journalists who surrounded her. During the three days, was just thinking back to school and on exams. The photographer Frank Fournier, Omayra made a picture that went around the world and led to a controversy about the indifference of Colombian government towards the victims. The photograph was published months after the girl died. Many see in this image from 1985, the beginning of what we now call globalization, for his agony was followed live by television cameras and broadcast to the entire world.

The Vietnam girl

The June 8, 1972, a U.S. plane bombed with napalm the population of Trang Bang. Kim Phuc was there with his family. With his clothes on fire, the nine year old girl ran out of the population. At that time, when his clothes had been consumed, the photographer Nic Ut recorded the famous image. Then Nic Ut take her to hospital. He remained there for 14 months and underwent 17 operations for skin grafts. Anyone who sees that picture you can see the depth of suffering, despair and human suffering of war, especially for children. Today Pham Thi Kim Phuc, the girl in the photograph is married with 2 children and resides in Canada. Presides' Kim Phuc Foundation, "dedicated to helping child victims of war and is an ambassador for UNESCO. Execution in Saigon

"Colonel killed the prisoner, I murdered Colonel with my camera. " Eddie Adams, photographer of war, was the author of this snapshot showing the murder on February 1, 1968, by the Saigon police chief, in cold blood, a Vietcong guerrilla, who had their hands tied back, right at the very moment that he shoots at close range. Adams, who had been a correspondent in 13 wars, won by this photo a Pulitzer Prize, but it affected him emotionally that was converted into a photographer in the world rose.

The Afghan girl

Sharbat Gula was photographed at age 12 by photographer Steve McCurry in June 1984. It was in the Nasir Bagh refugee camp in Pakistan during the war against the Soviet invasion. His photo was published on the cover of National Geographic in June 1985 and due to his expressive face with green eyes, the cover became one of the most famous magazine. However, at that time nobody knew the name of the girl. The same man who photographed, Steve McCurry A search of the girl that lasted 17 years. The photographer made numerous trips to the area until, in January 2002, found the girl turned into a woman of 30 years and could know his name. Sharbat Gula lives in a remote village in Afghanistan, is a traditional woman Pashtun, a married mother of three children. She had returned to Afghanistan in 1992. No one had gone to photograph until he met with McCurry and did not know that his face had become famous. The woman's identity was confirmed at 99.9% through facial recognition technology the FBI and the comparison of the iris of both photographs.

The two most famous kisses

Kiss of the Hotel de Ville

This beautiful picture, dating from 1950, is considered the most sold in history, with about 410,000 copies shipped. This was due to the intriguing story that was described for many years: as had this photo was taken by Robert Doisneau casually as he sat sipping coffee with his Rolleiflex in hand. This photographer powers your camera in the crowd who walked before him and recorded this beautiful image of a pair of lovers kissing passionately as they walked through the crowd. This was the story that was known for many years until 1992, when two impostors posing as the main characters in this picture. But Mr. Doisneau outraged by this false statement, reveal the original story disclosing that legend: the photograph was not taken at random, but they were two actors in which it had set and he asked to pose for your lens, sending a copy of the photo as thanks. Françoise Bornet 55 years later (the woman's kiss) auctioned a copy of this photo for her to receive $ 200,000.

Kiss of Time Square

Kissing the War was taken by Victor Jorgensen at Times Square on August 14, 1945, in which you can see a U.S. Navy soldier kissing passionately a nurse. Contrary to what commonly thought, these 2 characters were not a couple, but that they were strangers who had met there. Photography, an icon, is considered an analogy of the excitement and passion that means returning home after spending a long time out, as well as the joy experienced at the end of war.

Tank Man Tiananmen

Also known as the Unknown Rebel, this was the nickname that was attributed to an anonymous man who became internationally famous when being filmed and photographed standing before a line of several tanks during the revolt of the 1989 Tiananmen Square in China. The photo was taken by Jeff Widener, and broadcast that night being entitled to hundreds of newspapers, newsletters and magazines around the world. The man stood alone and stood as the tanks approached him, holding two similar bags in each hand. While the tanks were slowed down, he gestured for them to leave. In response, the tank on top of the column tried to get around it, but the man repeatedly stepped in his way, showing a toughness and enormous. In the West, the rebellious images were presented as a symbol of the Chinese democracy movement. A young man risking his life to oppose a military squad. Within China, the image was used by the government as a symbol of caring for soldiers of the People's Liberation Army to protect the Chinese people: despite orders to advance, the tank driver refused to do so if that meant hurting a single citizen. Silent Protest

Thich Quang Duc was born in 1897, was a Vietnamese Buddhist monk (also called monks) who sacrificed himself to death on a busy street in Saigon on June 11, 1963. His act of sacrifice, which was repeated by other monks, was the most memorable, as was witnessed by David Halberstam. As his body burned, the monk remained motionless. Did not cry or even made a noise. Thich Quang Duc was protesting against the way that the administration pressed the Buddhist religion in their country. After his death, his body was cremated according to Buddhist tradition. During the cremation her heart was intact, so it was regarded as a saint and his heart was transferred to the care of the Reserve Bank of Vietnam as a relic. This is the origin of the phrase "burn to bonzo", which contrary to what people think is not about how to commit suicide, but the fact of killing as a form of political protest. Lurking

death

In 1994, the Sudanese great documentary photographer Kevin Carter won the Pulitzer photojournalism with a photograph taken in the region of Ayod (a small village in Sudan), which toured the world. In the picture you can see the skeletal figure of a little girl, totally emaciated, lying on the ground, exhausted by hunger, and dying, while in the background, the black figure of a vulture waiting is lurking and waiting the precise time of death of the girl. Four months later, overwhelmed by guilt and driven by a strong dependence on drugs, Kevin Carter committed suicide. The Falling Man

The Falling Man is the title of a photograph taken by Richard Drew for the attacks of September 11, 2001 against the twin towers of World Trade Center at 9:41:15 am. In the picture you can see a man falling from a tower, you probably chose leaping, instead of dying from the heat and smoke. The publication of the document shortly after the attacks angered certain sectors of the American public. Then, the majority of media self-censorship, preferring to show only photos of acts of heroism and sacrifice. A documentary trying to find out the identity of the man.