A method and system for processing data streams is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes establishing a plurality of initial sample zones; establishing a plurality of wakeup zones; sampling a plurality of data packets based on the plurality of initial sample zones; estimating the traffic based on the sampling of the plurality of data packets; and modifying the wakeup zones based on the estimated traffic. According to the method and system disclosed herein, the traffic estimation enables a mobile station to optimize wakeup periods.