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Trying to hack a good night's sleep

arstechnica.com

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Re: Trying to hack a good night's sleep

#31

Post by johnyzee »

anigbrowl wrote: post #13
ryanspahn wrote: post #7

I've never had trouble sleeping but in my start-up journey the alarm clock and working to improve it has become part of my life. Most people just want to hear a noise, like an mp3; maybe because that's what they are use to. FOr us we want you to hear a 5 seconds of information that tells you to go back to sleep(i.e. heavy snow) or helps u with day ahead (flight's canceled). Do people want such a fancy alarm wake up s…

Interesting idea. Actually, I don't want to know that on waking up unless it's really urgent. I'd rather read it, because I don't like noise in the morning. What I would like is an alarm clock with a graduated volume control, as opposed to the silence followed by loud noise that usually prevails, and which is guaranteed to put me in a pissy mood. Mrs Browl has a blackberry, which sounds so obnoxious out of the box I…

The Zen alarm clock was popular a while back. It basically wakes you up with a series of gradually more frequent chimes.

It's good-looking too:

http://www.now-zen.com/cgi-bin/orders/shop.pl?ACTION=ENTER+S...!

Re: Trying to hack a good night's sleep

#32

Post by radu_floricica »

locopati wrote: post #4

no television (read somewhere that tv gets the brain revved up in a way that's counter-productive to sleep) meditation (15-30min) - settles the whirring mind before sleep following through with the meditation once i'm lying down (as in not getting hooked by thoughts of the day - keeping focused on inhaling and exhaling)

The mileage with meditation will vary. I feel very rested afterwards, and can't sleep for many hours even if I try.

Re: Trying to hack a good night's sleep

#33

Post by radu_floricica »

ktharavaad wrote: post #2

I thought this is an interesting article since so many of us try to cheat sleep in order to gain more productivity. Perhaps you guys can share some tips on what works for you to get a good night's sleep.

First, check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delayed_sleep_phase_syndrome

If it applies, then a change in career is probably best. I'm happy freelancing anyways :) Probably the most interesting thing to take out of this is that being tired will not help you get to sleep earlier - but being rested will.

Other than that, I now use black tea as a caffeine source (only two cups, at the time of day I'm most likely to be drowsy), put a couple variators instead of light switches to be able to dim the lights, use f.lux on my comp and don't read in bed. It works pretty well.

Re: Trying to hack a good night's sleep

#34

Post by sjf »

nikz wrote: post #26
swombat wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm trying something new at the moment, to deal with that. It's actually working pretty well so far. The key realisation is that there are several aspects of me that can be brought up. Daniel-the-heavy-sleeper doesn't give a damn about alarm clocks, work, commitments, etc, and will stay in bed at every opportunity. Daniel-the-hacker, on the other hand, has no problems doing difficult stuff that requires a log of will…

How did you set this up? I'm interested to give it a go ;)

atd

Re: Trying to hack a good night's sleep

#35

Post by IsaacL »

ShabbyDoo wrote: post #12
ktharavaad wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Looks very interesting since their technology actually measures brain waves instead of just physical activity. However, the cost of it $400 is a bit expensive.

Expensive relative to what? Let's say you do fixed-cost software development and you know that you can get 5% more done when you sleep well. If your goal is to earn $50/hour, then you'd pay for the device in about seven months. I use a CPAP, and I bet the co-pays alone for the sleep studies to determine that I needed it exceeded $400. *Presuming you could train yourself to sleep sufficiently better to work 5% better…

"Presuming you could train yourself to sleep sufficiently better to work 5% better (in whatever units better is)"

That's the thing, I know I wouldn't be able to presume that - trying something like this out would be an experiment for me, and I couldn't justify spending that amount of money on an experiment. Still, it's a very cool concept, and if a had a testimonial from a friend I would be more tempted.

Re: Trying to hack a good night's sleep

#36

Post by locopati »

radu_floricica wrote: post #32
locopati wrote: post #4

no television (read somewhere that tv gets the brain revved up in a way that's counter-productive to sleep) meditation (15-30min) - settles the whirring mind before sleep following through with the meditation once i'm lying down (as in not getting hooked by thoughts of the day - keeping focused on inhaling and exhaling)

The mileage with meditation will vary. I feel very rested afterwards, and can't sleep for many hours even if I try.

true - i try not to do it right before bed as i have discovered the same thing - usually i'll do it shortly after dinner, leaving myself time to get some things done around the house in more relaxed fashion before i do go to bed

Re: Trying to hack a good night's sleep

#37

Post by asciilifeform »

I find it quite galling that most "official" advice on the subject of sleep quality boils down to "simply get more sleep." This is a distinctly "let them eat cake" attitude - not at all unusual, however, coming from our medical establishment. I would like to thank the submitter, the author of the article, and the builders of the featured gadgets for creating something which might actually be of use to those who haven't the wealth to buy back their time, and must fight the effects of sleep deprivation without having the option of lying in bed to their heart's content.

Re: Trying to hack a good night's sleep

#38

Post by ShabbyDoo »

DenisM wrote: post #16
ShabbyDoo wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Expensive relative to what? Let's say you do fixed-cost software development and you know that you can get 5% more done when you sleep well. If your goal is to earn $50/hour, then you'd pay for the device in about seven months. I use a CPAP, and I bet the co-pays alone for the sleep studies to determine that I needed it exceeded $400. *Presuming you could train yourself to sleep sufficiently better to work 5% better…

Are you buying one of these? I'm really tempted.

My wife pointed it out to me. It's kind of a light-weight version of the huge wiring harness they attach to you when you get a sleep study. I'm tempted as well.

Re: Trying to hack a good night's sleep

#39

Post by ShabbyDoo »

IsaacL wrote: post #35
ShabbyDoo wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Expensive relative to what? Let's say you do fixed-cost software development and you know that you can get 5% more done when you sleep well. If your goal is to earn $50/hour, then you'd pay for the device in about seven months. I use a CPAP, and I bet the co-pays alone for the sleep studies to determine that I needed it exceeded $400. *Presuming you could train yourself to sleep sufficiently better to work 5% better…

"Presuming you could train yourself to sleep sufficiently better to work 5% better (in whatever units better is)" That's the thing, I know I wouldn't be able to presume that - trying something like this out would be an experiment for me, and I couldn't justify spending that amount of money on an experiment. Still, it's a very cool concept, and if a had a testimonial from a friend I would be more tempted.

I agree with you -- the risk-adjusted rate of return may not be so good.

Re: Trying to hack a good night's sleep

#40

Post by DenisM »

ShabbyDoo wrote: post #38
DenisM wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are you buying one of these? I'm really tempted.

My wife pointed it out to me. It's kind of a light-weight version of the huge wiring harness they attach to you when you get a sleep study. I'm tempted as well.

I wonder if there is any first-hand user experience out there. The short summary of clinical trials looks very promising so far.
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