Intersting approach.
I'm currently starting a SH5 patrol. And this time I do it more from a role-playing perspective. That means I write ship logs and post them in my game-community forum.
I also try stick to sleeping times, as far as real-navigation allows it. That means I try to go to my bunk, and compress time for the hours I sleep without doing anything. Not even checking the maps (once again only if real-navigation isn't in danger).