Evie Summers
While being the president of the United States is one of the most important and stressful jobs in the world, many presidents have struggled with sleep. From Lincoln's insomnia and late-night walks to Reagan and Clinton's shared love of power naps, the unique sleep habits of US presidents have long been a topic of interest. One president whose sleep habits have been a particular focus of scrutiny is Donald Trump.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Presidents who took power naps | Reagan, JFK, and Clinton |
| President who slept on a screened porch | William Taft |
| President who woke up at 5:30 or 6:30 am | Truman |
| President who was a night owl | Obama |
| President who slept for 11 hours a night | Calvin Coolidge |
| President who had sleep apnea | Theodore Roosevelt |
| President who was an insomniac | Lincoln |
| President who slept for 3-5 hours a night | Trump |
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What You'll Learn
Reagan, JFK, and Clinton were all fans of power napping
Napping has been a strategy used by many notable figures throughout history, including several US presidents. Ronald Reagan, John F. Kennedy (JFK), and Bill Clinton were all proponents of power napping, recognising its benefits in combating sleep deprivation and boosting productivity.
Reagan, in particular, was known for his dedication to his napping routine. He scheduled his naps to occur at the same time each day, demonstrating the importance he placed on maintaining a consistent sleep schedule. Reagan's commitment to regular napping aligns with his belief in the rejuvenating power of short snoozes.
JFK, on the other hand, preferred longer naps. His midday naps typically lasted between one and two hours. Interestingly, his wife, Jackie Kennedy, often joined him for these extended naps, sometimes even clearing her schedule or leaving engagements early to accommodate this shared relaxation time.
Clinton, too, understood the value of a quick nap during the day. He incorporated power napping into his routine, joining a list of famous nappers that includes historical figures like Aristotle, Winston Churchill, and Salvador Dali. Clinton's recognition of the benefits of napping reflects a broader understanding of the importance of sleep for overall well-being and optimal decision-making.
While Reagan, JFK, and Clinton each had their unique approach to napping, they all recognised its value in maintaining their energy levels and focus while navigating the demanding role of the presidency. Their embrace of power napping serves as a reminder that prioritising rest can be a key component of success, even for those in positions of immense responsibility.
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Lincoln was an insomniac, often taking late-night walks
Abraham Lincoln is known to have suffered from insomnia. Despite his condition, Lincoln maintained a relatively regular bedtime routine. He would typically go to bed around 10 or 11 p.m. and wake up at 7 a.m. to start his day. Interestingly, Lincoln did not sleep in the renowned Lincoln bed purchased by his wife, Mary. Instead, he often took late-night walks when he couldn't sleep, a strategy endorsed by many sleep experts today. They suggest that getting out of bed until you feel sleepy can help prevent associating your bed with anxiety about sleep.
Lincoln's insomnia may have been due to the inherent stress of being a president, a role that comes with far-reaching responsibilities and consequences. This stress can disrupt the body's natural circadian rhythm and lead to sleep deprivation. Lincoln is not the only president known for irregular sleep patterns. Reagan, for instance, rarely slept, and former President Bill Clinton averaged about six hours of sleep per night, occasionally getting only four. Like Clinton, Obama was a notorious night owl, sometimes working in the middle of the night.
The stress of the presidency can also affect the performance of presidents, as seen in the case of President Trump. Studies show that on days following late nights, the president's inferred emotion is less likely to be "happy" and nearly three times more likely to be "angry" in interviews and speeches. During busy times, Trump's sleep could decrease to as little as three hours, a schedule he maintained even before his presidency.
While some presidents struggle with sleep, others embrace the power of napping. Reagan, JFK, and Clinton all shared a sleep secret: the power nap. They would recharge with quick, strategic snoozes, although they might not have known the best way to nap effectively. Creating a cosy nap zone that is comfortable, quiet, and cool can help, but napping on your bed may lead to deep sleep instead of a refreshing power nap.
Overall, Lincoln's insomnia and late-night walks shed light on the sleep challenges faced by presidents. The stress and demands of the role can disrupt sleep patterns, impacting their performance and well-being.
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Obama was a night owl
While being the President of the United States is one of the most consequential and relentless jobs in the world, President Obama was a notorious night owl when he was in office. Obama gets about five hours of sleep a night, often going to bed after midnight and waking up by 7 a.m. Obama's nighttime routine differs from those of other recent presidents, such as George W. Bush, who was often in bed by 10 p.m. because he woke up early, and Bill Clinton, who stayed up late talking on the phone.
Obama's late-night hours of solitude were crucial to his well-being. After dinner with his wife and daughters, he would retreat to his private office in the White House residence, the Treaty Room, for four or five hours to gather his thoughts, catch up on reading, and watch sports on TV. Obama would also send late-night emails to his staff, sometimes asking them to come back into the office if he was working on something time-sensitive, like polishing a speech.
Obama's nighttime habits also included playing Words With Friends on his iPad and eating exactly seven lightly salted almonds every night for a snack. Despite his late schedule, he rarely drank anything with caffeine. Obama's sleep schedule and habits reflect the demanding and unpredictable nature of the presidency, where some nights can be peaceful while other days or weeks may result in sleep deprivation due to pressing events and issues.
While Obama's night owl habits may have helped him manage the stress of the presidency, lack of sleep has been linked to various health hazards, including difficulty focusing, memory issues, fatigue, and irritability. Sleep deprivation can also have more severe consequences, as seen in the case of Reagan, who rarely slept and later died of Alzheimer's disease, a condition that has been linked to sleep deprivation. Finding a balance between the demands of the office and adequate rest is crucial for the well-being and decision-making ability of the president.
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Trump's sleep deprivation led to angry speeches
Sleep deprivation can lead to a variety of health issues, including irritability. While being president is already a stressful job, some presidents have claimed to get by with very little sleep. Donald Trump is one such president, who has been described as a "short sleeper", sleeping for only four to five hours a night.
Trump's sleep habits have been well-documented, with the former president himself claiming to only sleep for four hours a night in his 2004 book, *Think Like a Billionaire*. In an interview with Fox News'* The O'Reilly Factor* in 2017, Trump confirmed these sleeping habits, stating that he typically goes to bed at midnight or 1 am and wakes up at 5 am to eat, read newspapers, and watch television.
Trump's physician, Navy doctor Ronny Jackson, corroborated these claims, stating that Trump "sleeps four to five hours a night" and that he has "probably been like that his whole life". Jackson further added that Trump is "just one of those people who just does not require a lot of sleep".
Trump's lack of sleep may have contributed to his well-known anger and irritability. While there is no direct evidence linking Trump's sleep deprivation to his angry speeches, it is possible that sleep deprivation played a role in his temperament and decision-making while in office.
Trump is not the only president who has claimed to function on little sleep. Other notable short sleepers include Barack Obama, who reportedly got about five hours of sleep a night during his presidency, and Bill Clinton, who adopted the belief that "great men often require less [sleep] than ordinary people".
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Clinton got more sleep than Trump and Obama
While being a president is a stressful job, it is essential to get a good night's sleep. However, some presidents have been known to get by with less sleep than others.
Former President Bill Clinton, for instance, averaged about six hours of sleep per night, which is more than his successors, Donald Trump and Barack Obama. Trump is known to sleep only four to five hours a night, and his daily routine does not leave much room for downtime. Trump's physician, Navy doctor Ronny Jackson, has confirmed that he is one of those people who does not require a lot of sleep.
Obama, on the other hand, was a notorious night owl during his presidency, often working until 2 a.m. and sleeping for about five hours. While Clinton did a lot of his work in the middle of the night as well, he averaged more sleep than Obama, and unlike Obama, he would phone his staff instead of emailing them.
Clinton's sleep habits also differed from Trump's in that he did not have the short sleeper gene, which Trump seems to possess. While Clinton underwent heart surgery in his 50s, he otherwise led a healthy lifestyle.
Other presidents who have had notable sleep habits include George W. Bush, who slept for about nine hours a night, and Calvin Coolidge, who slept for a staggering 11 hours a night.
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Frequently asked questions
President Truman.
President Obama.
Former president Bill Clinton.
Former president Donald Trump.
