Should a person sleep for 8 hours or divide it into two phases?
Continuous 7-8 hours of night sleep is most natural, said Dr Manjusha Agarwal, Gleneagles Hospital. However, some people follow biphasic pattern, like 6-7 hours at night and 20-30 minute daytime nap. It can work only if segments are long enough to complete full sleep cycles. Another doctor noted it can decrease slow-wave sleep, stage linked to memory and emotional balance.