Changes

== Mechanism ==

== Mechanism ==

Random is a highly popular sleep pattern, which has plenty of variants. Since it inherently has no rules, such schedule would fit any lifestyle. Sleep may be taken whenever possible or tired enough.

Random is a highly popular sleep pattern, which has plenty of variants. Since it inherently has no rules, Random would fit any lifestyle. Sleep may be taken whenever possible or tired enough.

One of the characteristics of Random sleep is a level of randomness, which may be higher or lower. This characteristic can be generally defined in every sleep pattern. The lowest possible level of randomness is a strict consistent schedule. Polyphasic schedules usually tolerate some [[Flexing|flexibility]] after adaptation, which makes the level of randomness higher. The highest level is observed in [[BiphasicX]] and [[-AMAYL|-Amayl]] schedules, which don't have fixed sleep times and / or fixed length of sleeps. The Random category, on the other hand, allows a much higher level of randomness, such as an absolute absence of sleep structure.

One of the characteristics of Random sleep is a level of randomness, which may be higher or lower. This characteristic can be generally defined in every sleep pattern. The lowest possible level of randomness is a strict consistent schedule. Polyphasic schedules usually tolerate some [[Flexing|flexibility]] after adaptation, which makes the level of randomness higher. The highest level is observed in [[BiphasicX]] and [[-AMAYL|-Amayl]] schedules, which don't have fixed sleep times and/or fixed length of sleeps. The Random category, on the other hand, allows a much higher level of randomness, such as an absolute absence of sleep structure.

[[Dark period]] and [[wikipedia:Circadian_rhythm|circadian rhythm]] management is optional.

[[Dark period]] and [[wikipedia:Circadian_rhythm|circadian rhythm]] management are optional.

Random sleep was observed to cause several negative consequences, which are described [[Random#Consequences|below]].

Random sleep was observed to cause several negative consequences, which are described [[Random#Consequences|below]].

Irregular sleep includes multiple subpatterns, which have different total sleep time, level of randomness and structure. Some of the schedules, which have a higher level of randomness, were previously considered random, but after a few successful adaptations were separated from the Random category. This includes BiphasicX and -Amayl schedules. However, each of these schedules is based on a specific set of rules (for example, [[Ducamayl]] has 2 [[Core|cores]] and a few [[Nap|naps]] each given day), which would make them [[Hypothetical]] rather than Random from the very beginning.

Irregular sleep includes multiple subpatterns, which have different total sleep time, level of randomness and structure. Some of the schedules, which have a higher level of randomness, were previously considered random, but after a few successful adaptations were separated from the Random category. This includes BiphasicX and -Amayl schedules. However, each of these schedules is based on a specific set of rules (for example, [[Ducamayl]] has 2 [[Core|cores]] and a few [[Nap|naps]] each given day), which would make them [[Hypothetical]] rather than Random from the very beginning.

Thus, the variants of Random are the observed patterns of random sleepers, which may be combined with each other and not be consistent.

Thus, the variants of Random are the observed patterns of random sleepers, which may be combined and not be consistent.

=== Mono-polyphasic hybrid ===

=== Mono-polyphasic hybrid ===

{{Nci|tt77y|right|Monophasic core with occasional naps}}One of the mildest patterns of Random is a fairly consistent long nocturnal core, which doesn't reduce sleep and sometimes is supplied with naps in the energy dips during the day. Such sleep is mostly [[non-reducing]]. If the naps are short, this resembles [[Sevamayl]], except having occasional [[monophasic]] days without naps. The sleep quality may be increased further by adding a dark period 2h prior the core.

{{Nci|tt77y|right|Monophasic core with occasional naps}}One of the mildest patterns of Random is a fairly consistent long nocturnal core, which doesn't reduce sleep and sometimes is supplied with naps in the energy dips during the day. Such sleep is mostly [[non-reducing]]. If the naps are short, this resembles [[Sevamayl]], except having occasional [[monophasic]] days without naps. The sleep quality may be increased further by adding a dark period of 2h before the core.

=== Frequent switching between schedules ===

=== Frequent switching between schedules ===

== Consequences ==

== Consequences ==

Random often seems attractive, since it doesn't require adaptation, has plenty of different variants and patterns and simply is flexible enough to fit any lifestyle. However, over the decades of experience, polyphasic community faced several disadvantages of sleeping randomly.

Random often seems attractive, since it doesn't require adaptation, has plenty of different variants and patterns and simply is flexible enough to fit any lifestyle. However, over decades of experience, the polyphasic community faced several disadvantages of sleeping randomly.

First of all, irregular sleep/wake patterns are associated with poorer academic performance and delayed circadian and sleep/wake timing, different studies suggest[1]. This makes strict schedules preferable over those with a higher level of randomness.

First of all, irregular sleep/wake patterns are associated with poorer academic performance and delayed circadian and sleep/wake timing, studies suggest<ref name="Phillips" />. This makes strict schedules preferable over those with a higher level of randomness.

It was also noticed in community that habitual random sleep often reduces discipline, which makes it difficult to adapt to strict sleep schedules afterwards. Moreover, random sleepers are more likely to have reduced sleep quality, which contributes to the adaptation difficulty as well.

It was also noticed in the community that habitual random sleep often reduces discipline, which makes it difficult to adapt to strict sleep schedules afterwards. Moreover, random sleepers are more likely to have reduced sleep quality, which contributes to the adaptation difficulty as well.

 

== References ==

== References ==

<ref name="Lv">{{cite journal |vauthors=Lv Y, Cai L, Zeng X |date=2020 |title=Association between weekend catch-up sleep and executive functions in Chinese school-aged children |journal=Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine |volume=16 |issue=8 |pages=1285–1293}}</ref>

<ref name="Lv">{{cite journal |vauthors=Lv Y, Cai L, Zeng X |date=2020 |title=Association between weekend catch-up sleep and executive functions in Chinese school-aged children |journal=Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine |volume=16 |issue=8 |pages=1285–1293}}</ref>

<ref name="depher">{{cite journal |vauthors=Depner CM, Melanson EL, Eckel RH |date=2019 |title=Weekend Recovery Sleep Fails to Prevent Metabolic Dysregulation during a Repeating Pattern of Insufficient Sleep and Weekend Recovery Sleep |journal=Current Biology |volume=29 |issue=6 |pages=957-967 |doi=10.1016/j.cub.2019.01.069}}</ref>

<ref name="depher">{{cite journal |vauthors=Depner CM, Melanson EL, Eckel RH |date=2019 |title=Weekend Recovery Sleep Fails to Prevent Metabolic Dysregulation during a Repeating Pattern of Insufficient Sleep and Weekend Recovery Sleep |journal=Current Biology |volume=29 |issue=6 |pages=957-967 |doi=10.1016/j.cub.2019.01.069}}</ref>

}}

}}