Brian Wong is busy guy, social media addict, Mac-aholic and the co-founder of Aer Marketing Inc. Having just launched Followformation, (a great tool for novice twitter users to get started with following the top people in their categories of interest). I had heard that Brian has been sleeping Polyphasic style for the last two years so that he can get all his work done. Naturally I wanted to learn more about this sleeping pattern:
1. How did you first hear/learn about polyphasic sleep?
I honestly do not remember where, but I believe I learned of the sleeping pattern through a very random blog post a few years ago. I then learned that the big thinkers of our time practiced it as a method of extending their productivity time and to optimize their sleep.
2. How do you incorporate it into working life - bed in the office?
I don't. My work is very flexible so I only go into the office so often, and if necessary I do take naps in the office. I am fortunately not a light sleeper, and can pretty much fall asleep in any position, so I don't usually require a perfect environment to grab my much needed sleep throughout the day.
3. Would you recommend it to fellow entrepreneurs?
I would. But it really depends on your body type, your eating patterns, your sleeping preferences, and your social habits. It's not for everyone, that's for certain. It's important to realize that regular sleep patterns can be as powerful if not healthier than polyphasic sleep.
4. What are the positives you gain from this sleeping choice?
The biggest benefits is that I've found a sleeping pattern that I can stick to that fits my working habits. I work at weird hours in the morning to accommodate eastern time zones and late in the evening when I'm the most alert and creative. The other most valuable positive has been the ability for me to structure my working schedules around when I know I can be the most creative. When creativity is on demand, it's difficult to come up with something right when you wake up in the morning. But when I've just woken up at 6pm, it's sometimes instant.
5. What are the negatives you suffer from this sleeping choice?
Most issues I deal with are my friends and family being uneasy with my sleeping patterns and simply concerned about my health. And of course, I don't follow regular social schedules either so there is a strain there. Nonetheless I think with flexibility and time it can be easy for anyone to incorporate polyphasic sleep into their schedules. It is incredibly important though to realize the ideal chunks of time that best fit your REM sleep cycles. It's slightly different for everyone. Thank you Brian!
If you want to learn more about Polyphasic sleeping, you can check out the Wiki How-to Manual How to Adopt a Polyphasic Sleep Schedule
Over the weekend Canada Place was packed with excited exhibitors and happy attendees. IDSwest really did showcase a fine collection of furniture, textiles, home entertainment, installation art and of course silk filled duvets! The seminars were a real treat, highlights for me included wood legend Brent Comber, Lynda Reeves of House & Home Media and Kelly Deck, Kelly Deck Design.
On the exhibitor front, I was blown away by Inform and the eye candy at their booth. The quirky and innovative work of Judson Beaumont was a real eye opener into how a chest of drawers can become a character from a cartoon.
When asked what was my favorite part of the show, it is hard to pinpoint one particular part. There were many many highlights over the 4 days. But perhaps the fondest memory I have is of two ladies originally from China, who each told me their stories about their silk duvets. Now, to set the scene, there were a few skeptical consumers who just couldn’t get their head around that Silk Concept duvets are naturally non-allergenic, heat regulating and have a life expectancy of at least 15 years. So imagine my glee, when these two ladies walked into booth 300b and told me that they are both sleeping with their grandfather and great-grandfathers duvets. Both duvets were passed down the generations as heirlooms and here they were telling me why silk is the only choice for a duvet. I was in heaven.
With rain in the forecast for the weekend, heading to IDSwest sounds like a great idea! Head down to the Vancouver Convention Centre at Canada Place and check out some beautiful interior design products and listen to some fantastic seminars, speakers include Lynda Reeves of House & Home Media and Kelly Deck, Principal Kelly Deck Design and former host of HGTV Take It Outside Silk Concept is very excited to for our maiden voyage in to the world of trade shows, so smiley faces and high fives will be much appreciated at Booth 300 b Below is a coupon good for two people and children under 12 are admitted free. See you at the show !
“I’m rather surprised that after only six months sleeping without my Superior duvet is a real hardship. This past weekend I went to visit my in-law’s who were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Normally I don’t have a problem sleeping in a strange bed but this time I sure missed my silk-filled duvet! No other bedding provides the same comfort anytime of the year; warm in the winter and not too hot in the summer. At first I was concerned about the light weight of the Silk Concept duvet after growing up with heavy European-style duvets but it didn’t take long for me to love it. I also love the luxurious quality and attention to detail in your product. Thank you for the courage and good sense to bring Silk Concept duvets to market for everyone to enjoy!”
– Melanie, Vancouver
Here at Silk Concept, we love feedback. So from time to time, we feel like we should spread the love.
Sleeping is a complicated matter. There is a real science behind why we sleep and how we sleep. If you suffer from a sleep related disorder, you might be prescribed medication or more favorably you can have your sleep behavior assessed and monitored. Of course the latter is more expensive, but it doesn't include the negative medication side-effects. If you are anti medication and cannot afford the sleep therapy, what do you do? Reach for your iPhone and download the 'Proactivesleep' app for $4.99.
The Proactive Sleep application was developed by Daniel Gartenberg and Justin Beck, two graduates of the University of Wisconsin. They recognize how, if you used correctly technology really can make life easier. They developed an alarm clock application that tracks the quantity and quality of your sleep. The application keeps track of how much you are sleeping by determining when you set your alarm and when it goes off, how many sleep disturbances you experience throughout the night based on you pressing a button if you awake, and your morning fatigue which is determined using a stimulating game that you play after your alarm goes off. This information is then displayed to you in a personalized Sleep Diary along with other sleep statistics that can help you better assess and understand your sleep. The application also employs elements of relaxation therapy and
stimulus control therapy to help you fall asleep and auditory and motor
stimulation to help you wake up. Specifically, you can fall asleep and
wake up to any music in your iTunes library and play a game in the morning in order to stimulate you to awaken at your maximum best.
