By name: neuroskill-protocols-sleep description: Sleep, circadian, recovery, and rest protocols — interventions for drowsiness, wakefulness, bar at rest, sleep onset, ultradian rhythm, NSDR, yoga nidra, and power naps.
Sleep Protocols
(This is a domain sub-skill of the neuroskill-protocols repertoire. For the personalisation engine, API integration guide, modality router, and matching guidance, see the parent neuroskill-protocols skill. For evidence collection rules, see neuroskill-evidence.)
SLEEP & CIRCADIAN
Sleep Onset Wind-Down → high drowsiness post-session, high bar at rest
Dim-light routine cue + relaxation method: 4-7-8 breathing, OR progressive body release
(no breath required — just scan and soften), OR ear massage in bed, OR autogenic phrases
("my arms are heavy and warm"), OR sleep music (Max Richter, binaural delta). Pick the
method that feels least like effort — sleep protocols must not feel like work.
◈ Parent of infant: "Your wind-down IS the feed/rock routine. When baby sleeps, you sleep. No phone."
◈ Shift worker: Blackout curtains + earplugs + same routine regardless of clock time. Body follows ritual, not sun.
◈ Anxious mind: Add worry dump first — write every thought, close the notebook, then body release.
◈ Partner in bed: Whispered body scan for two — guide each other or listen together.
🔧 API: Before: sleep_schedule to confirm bedtime target, status to check bar at rest. During: say the body scan in a slow, soft voice. dnd_set enabled:true — no notifications from now until morning. After: label "sleep wind-down complete". Next morning: sleep → check N3%, REM%, efficiency — "Last night after the wind-down you got 22% deep sleep vs your 15% average." Longitudinal: compare sleep sessions with vs without wind-down protocol → build evidence for the habit.
Ultradian Reset (20-min rest) → mid-afternoon slump, post-90-min focus block Eyes closed, no agenda, light background sound cue — honours the 90-min ultradian cycle. ◈ Open-plan office: "Meeting with myself" — book a room, close the door, set a 20-min timer. ◈ Manual worker: Find a quiet spot, sit/lean, set phone timer. Even 10 min counts. ◈ Student between classes: Library, headphones, 15-min NSDR track on YouTube. Better than scrolling.
Wake Reset / Alertness Boost → high daytime drowsiness, wakefulness < 30
Cold-water face splash cue + kapalabhati burst + bright-light exposure instruction.
◈ No-breath variant: Skip kapalabhati — cold water + bright light + 20 jumping jacks (or arm pumps if seated).
◈ Night-shift worker: Bright artificial light exposure (light therapy lamp) + cold water + movement.
◈ Elderly: Gentle — just the cold water wrists + stepping outside into light + 5 slow arm raises.
RECOVERY & REST
NSDR / Yoga Nidra → high cognitive_load post-session, post-deep-work, mid-day
Non-Sleep Deep Rest: supine body scan with rotation of awareness through body parts.
Restores dopamine and cognitive resources without requiring sleep. 20–30 min.
🔧 API: Full guided protocol. Before: label "NSDR start", dnd_set enabled:true, snapshot cognitive_load, drowsiness, focus. During: entire protocol delivered via say — slow, soft rotation through body parts (right hand thumb… index finger… middle finger… palm… wrist… forearm…). Poll status at 5-min intervals — track rel_theta rise (entering hypnagogic). After: label "NSDR end" with deltas, dnd_set enabled:false, say the results. Key metric: cognitive_load should drop significantly, focus should rebound. compare pre-NSDR work session to post-NSDR work session to demonstrate the recovery effect.
Power Nap Guidance → wakefulness < 30, very high drowsiness
Timed 10–20 min nap with clear alarm cue + re-activation sequence on waking. Avoids sleep inertia.