Herbie Murray
Sleep is an essential part of our lives, and even the leaders of the free world need their rest. The sleep habits of US presidents have always been a fascinating topic, as they give us insight into how these leaders manage rest amidst their demanding roles. From George Washington's early bird routine to Calvin Coolidge's 11-hour slumbers, each president has had their own unique approach to sleep. Some, like Lincoln, struggled with insomnia, while others, like Obama, were notorious night owls. Understanding the sleep patterns of US presidents not only provides a glimpse into their personal lives but also offers a reflection on our own sleep habits and the importance of rest, even for those in high-pressure roles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleep Duration | 4-5 hours (Trump), 5 hours (Obama), 5 hours (JFK), 5 hours (Reagan), 6 hours (Clinton), 7-9 hours (recommended for healthy adults), 11 hours (Coolidge) |
| Sleep Timing | Midnight-1 am (Trump), 2 am (Obama), 9 pm (Bush), past midnight (Obama) |
| Wake-Up Time | 5:30 am or 6:30 am (Truman), 5 am (John Adams), 6 am (Bush), 7 am (Obama) |
| Sleep Habits | Napping (Reagan, Clinton, Coolidge, Kennedy), Insomnia (Lincoln), Sleep Apnea (Taft, Cleveland, Roosevelt), Night Owl (Obama), Early Riser (Truman, Washington) |
| Sleep Environment | Separate Beds (JFK and Jackie Kennedy), Separate Bedrooms (John and Abigail Adams), Shared Bedroom (Gerald and Betty Ford) |
| Sleep Aids | Bourbon (Truman) |
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What You'll Learn
Lincoln's insomnia and late-night walks
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, is widely considered to be one of the greatest American presidents. He is also known for his chronic insomnia. Lincoln often worked into the night, sending off late-night emails to his staff, and would sometimes fall asleep while working. He kept a regular bedtime routine, trying to go to bed around 10 or 11 pm, and woke up around 7 am to work or read the newspaper before breakfast. On some nights, Lincoln would take late-night walks when he couldn't sleep. This habit is endorsed by sleep experts, who suggest that getting out of bed and doing something relaxing until you feel sleepy can help prevent associating your bed with anxiety about sleep.
Lincoln's sleep habits may have been influenced by his heavy workload as president during one of America's bloodiest conflicts, the Civil War. He often forgot to eat regular meals, choosing to start work before breakfast, and would walk through the White House late at night. Despite his insomnia, Lincoln managed to lead the country through this challenging period, and his dedication to his work is evident in his ranking as the top president in 10 out of 18 major surveys of American scholars since 1948.
Lincoln's sleep habits also had an impact on his living arrangements within the White House. Although his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, brought in the infamous rosewood bed that presidents still sleep in today, Lincoln himself never slept in it. This may have been due to his insomnia or his preference for late-night walks and working into the night.
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Calvin Coolidge's 11 hours of sleep
Calvin Coolidge, the 30th president of the United States, was known for his lengthy sleep schedule, reportedly sleeping up to 11 hours a day. This included a pre-lunch nap and a substantial two- to four-hour post-lunch snooze. On one occasion, after President Harding's sudden death, Coolidge was inaugurated at night and promptly returned to bed.
Coolidge's affinity for sleep may have been linked to depression. During his presidency, Coolidge's son died, and it is speculated that his increased sleep duration was a coping mechanism for his grief. Historians and biographers have noted that Coolidge's "affinity for sleep became more extreme" following this tragic event.
While Coolidge's nickname, "Silent Cal," may have been a playful reference to his quiet nature, it also aptly describes his sleep habits. Coolidge's daily routine of 11 hours of sleep, combined with his regular naps, resulted in him getting 15 hours of shut-eye each day during certain stretches of his presidency.
It is worth noting that while Coolidge may have been one of the most well-rested presidents, his excessive sleeping could also indicate an underlying condition. Oversleeping can be a symptom of various health issues, including type 2 diabetes, depression, heart disease, and headaches.
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Washington's early bedtime and wake-up routine
The first president of the United States, George Washington, was an early riser. He embodied the "early to bed, early to rise" mentality. Washington went to bed around 9 pm, then read and wrote until his candle burned low. Although he found waking up very early "irksome", he still rose at dawn and started his day with three cornmeal cakes and three cups of tea without cream.
Washington's early bedtime routine is not well publicised, but it is known that he read and wrote before falling asleep. He went to bed around 9 pm, which was likely quite early even by the standards of his time, as people tended to wake up earlier in the 18th and 19th centuries due to the proximity of roosters.
Washington's early wake-up time is also notable, as he typically rose at dawn. This was common during his time, but it is still earlier than the wake-up times of most people in the modern era. He started his day with a simple breakfast of three cornmeal cakes and three cups of tea.
While Washington's early bedtime and wake-up routine are interesting, it is also worth noting that he found waking up very early irritating. In a letter to his grandson, he expressed his dislike for early mornings. This sentiment is something that many people can likely relate to, even if they do not share Washington's early sleeping and waking habits.
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Obama's night-owl tendencies
Former US President Barack Obama has been described as a "notorious" night owl, a fact he himself has confirmed, saying, "Basically, I am a night owl." Obama reportedly slept for about five hours a night, often going to bed after midnight and waking up by 7 a.m.
On nights he spent in Washington, Obama would eat dinner with his family before retreating to his private office in the White House residence, the Treaty Room, for four to five hours. During this time, he would gather his thoughts, catch up on reading, and watch sports on TV. Obama also sent late-night emails to his staff, sometimes asking them to return to the office if he was working on something time-sensitive. He also played Words With Friends on his iPad and ate exactly seven lightly salted almonds every night for a snack. Despite his late schedule, he rarely drank anything with caffeine.
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Trump's 3-5 hours of sleep
Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States, is known for his unusual sleep pattern. He is believed to sleep for about four to five hours a night, and during busy times, this can reduce to three hours. Trump's sleep habits are a stark contrast to the average person's, who typically needs seven to nine hours of sleep to function optimally.
Trump's sleep schedule has been consistent for years, even before his presidency. He often works until midnight or one o'clock in the morning and wakes up at 4 or 5 a.m. Despite the short duration of sleep, Trump claims that he feels refreshed and ready to take on the day's challenges.
Trump's preference for late-night activities classifies him as a night owl. He spends his evenings reading, watching television, and engaging with social media. This nocturnal lifestyle aligns with his high-energy persona and constant need for stimulation.
Trump's ability to function effectively with minimal sleep has intrigued many. Some attribute it to the Thatcher Gene, a rare gene mutation that allows some people to thrive on very little sleep. While it is not confirmed if Trump possesses this gene, his productivity despite limited rest suggests that he may be part of the sleepless elite, a group of individuals who can function optimally with a fraction of the sleep that the average person needs.
Trump's sleep habits demonstrate the individualized nature of sleep patterns. Finding a routine that works best for each person is crucial for maintaining high performance, as exemplified by Trump's ability to lead one of the most powerful countries in the world while adhering to his unique sleep schedule.
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Frequently asked questions
Calvin Coolidge, the 30th president of the United States, was inaugurated at night following the sudden death of President Harding and then went back to sleep.
Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United States, was known for his daily naps. He even made a schedule for his naps and took them at the same time each day.
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, struggled with chronic insomnia. He often took late-night walks when he couldn't sleep and maintained a consistent bedtime routine.
John Adams, the second president of the United States, woke up as early as 5 a.m. He enjoyed breakfast around 8 a.m. and drank a morning "gill" of hard cider.
Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States, was a notorious night owl. He often worked well into the night and sent late-night emails to his staff. He got about five hours of sleep at night, typically going to bed after midnight and waking up by 7 a.m.
