Is taking three 2-3 hour naps a day as effective in maintaining health and comfort as a 6-9 hour sleep?

Question

I recently started a job where I have to get up at 330am and am home by 4pm. In order to spend sufficient time with my friends and family, as well as stick to a workout schedule, I have a scheduling conflict when it comes to sleeping a full 6-9 hours. I nap from 4pm to 630pm, then from 10pm to about midnight, and then 130am to 330am.

Will this schedule affect me negatively? I feel a little tired at 330 when I wake up for work, but it goes away once 6am rolls around.

Answer 1

This will keep you going for a while, but one of the reasons that we need our "8 hours" of sleep is that during this time the brain uses this time to repair itself to keep things going smoothly. Without this prolonged session of sleep we don't give our brain the opportunity to recouperate.

This may catch up to you after a while, you might want to try and see if you can get at least one or so sessions of "normal" sleep in.

Answer 2

I am a long time insomniac and found the afternoon power nap essential.  Mensjournal (cited below) has a clear explanation of how this process works.  Please read the article and once you master the power nap it will be like gaining an extra half day in your life!  I promise  - it works for me.