In order to learn and become the best versions of ourselves, we can study extraordinary men and women that have come before us.

Sleep is a wellness topic that Brian and I have studied extensively. We’ll talk about the amazing benefits of napping in the future but for now, let’s examine the following men who were famous for their sleep habits:

Winston Churchill 

Churchill said: “Nature has not intended mankind to work from eight in the morning until midnight without that refreshment of blessed oblivion which, even if it only lasts twenty minutes, is sufficient to renew all the vital forces.”

He also said: “People think you will be doing less work because you sleep during the day. That’s a foolish notion held by people who have no imagination. You will be able to accomplish more.”

Napoleon Bonaparte

It is said that Napoleon was so fond of napping that he would take naps while riding on his horse during battle.

Thomas Edison

Edison could sleep anywhere, anytime, on anything. He was famous for not sleeping much but napping a lot.

John F. Kennedy

Kennedy carved out the mid morning for daily napping of 2 hours. The head of his household staff said that while Kennedy was napping, “No telephone calls were allowed, no folders sent up, no interruptions from the staff. Nobody went upstairs, for any reason.”

Leonardo Da Vinci

Da Vinci took napping to the extreme. He adhered to a polyphasic sleep cycle, meaning that he slept for multiple short intervals throughout the day, allowing him to be awake, alert, and present for 22 hours per day.

Our friend Jordan Lejuwaan explains, “Most people only think that there is one way to sleep: Go to sleep at night for 6-8 hours, wake up in the morning, stay awake for 16-18 hours and then repeat.” There are sleep alternatives which Jordan discusses on his blog.

Have you experimented with alternative sleep cycles?

What benefits have you received from napping?