The Top Five Famous Nappers

There is nothing like having a great night’s sleep to prepare us for the day ahead, but napping is returning as a popular way to help keep us alert and engaged throughout the day. A fifth of us now regularly take advantage of napping, and 43% of Britons say they do nap occasionally. Taking a short rest keeps our minds and bodies refreshed, so we can focus on what’s important. Napping for 10-20 minutes has been shown to provide multiple health benefits, including improvements to mood, memory, and overall well-being. But napping isn’t just a modern trend. Throughout history, there have been many famous figures who have embraced eccentric napping habits to keep them focused on their work. Let’s explore our pick for the top five most famous nappers.

Our Top Five

Salvador Dalí (1904 – 1989)

Considered one of the greatest surrealist artists of the last century, Salvador Dalí was an important influence on the world of modern art. In order to bring out his creativity, Dalí practised napping with a key in his hand, which allowed him to remain in the earliest stage of sleep, otherwise known as the ‘hypnagogic’ or N1 sleep stage. This N1 stage usually lasts no longer than half an hour, but by purposefully waking himself up, Dalí was able to remain in this semi-lucid state for longer.

Studies replicating Dalí’s technique have shown there is a link between the N1 sleep stage and problem-solving abilities. This has led to Dalí’s sleeping technique being known as a ‘cocktail for creativity.’

Dalí’s fascination with sleep also extended into his work. In summertime, he would sleep outside on a deck chair with a pencil and paper nearby, and would immediately write down everything he saw in his dreams once he woke. Feeling inspired, in 1937, he created a painting titled Le Sommeil (Sleep), which depicts a large, soft head as if it is collapsing into sleep.

Albert Einstein (1879 – 1955)

Renowned throughout the scientific community, and one of the most famous physicists in history, Albert Einstein is also known for his unusual sleep schedule. He reportedly slept for upwards of 10 hours per day, compared to the average 7 hours today’s sleepers receive.

Aside from having a long rest, Einstein also took regular short naps – very short naps. He utilised a technique of 1-second napping, similar to Salvador Dalí, placing a spoon in his hand and a metal plate directly beneath it. Whenever he would drift off, the spoon would fall out of his hand, and the sound of the impact would wake him up. This, in combination with regular walks, helped him stay focused on his research, and might even have contributed to some of his genius ideas – thanks to something known as ‘spindle events’. People who have more spindle events tend to have better problem-solving and pattern recognition skills…was this the secret to Einstein’s genius?

Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965)

British Prime Minister between 1940-45, Winston Churchill’s tireless enthusiasm and energy in defending his country is well-known. But Churchill wasn’t just famed for his effort during the war; in fact, his strict sleep routine and ability to nap are both just as legendary!

Whereas Dalí and Einstein both took short, brief naps, Churchill embraced longer periods of rest – up to 2 hours at a time. He developed this practice in his youth, but during the First World War, when he was appointed First Lord of the Admiralty, he began forming a routine around his naps. During World War Two, his inflexible schedule meant he would nap every day in his private office down in the War Rooms. Churchill was so adept at napping that he was even able to sleep through the Blitz, showing he was unafraid of the bombs, and inspiring confidence in his staff and cabinet. His napping habits would go on to inspire several Presidents to take up similar routines.

Leonardo Da Vinci (1452 – 1519)

Illustrious renaissance inventor, engineer, painter and sculptor, Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci would go on to become one of the most widely recognised names in science and the arts. It is often said that he was ahead of his time, using his incredible skills and artistic mind to dream up concepts that we now use in our modern era, but he was also the ‘inventor’ of a sleeping technique known as the polyphasic sleep process. This sleeping pattern mirrors that of babies and small infants, and involves sleeping over more than two periods each day.

Alongside polyphasic sleeping, Da Vinci is also known for his habit of sleeping for a total of two hours per day, a practice called the Uberman cycle. Whilst the accuracy of Leonardo da Vinci practising this sleep cycle is disputed, it is fair to say that most people would struggle to function on this amount of rest. It is possible that Da Vinci had a mutation in the gene DEC2, also known as the CLOCK gene, which would have allowed him to work better on less sleep.

Florence Nightingale (1820 – 1910)

Also known as the Lady with the Lamp, Florence Nightingale is regarded as the founder of modern nursing. During the Crimean War, she noticed that patients who slept more recovered faster from their infections, and encouraged working practices that would help injured soldiers regain their strength. In 1859, she published ‘Notes on Nursing’, which detailed her findings from her years of experience. Thanks to Nightingale’s work, sleep is now recognised as crucial for our health and recovery from injury.

Whilst she ensured her patients always got enough sleep and were not disturbed during their recovery, Florence herself only slept for around 4 hours on average, although she did encourage her fellow nurses to take sufficient rest breaks. She recognised the importance of looking after staff, making sure they had enough sleep to deal with their patients effectively.

Time For A Nap?

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Don’t wait to get the best night’s sleep! Order one of our free fabric samples and swatches today, and discover the unmatched quality and softness of our bedding for yourself. Dive bed-first into a world of luxurious sleep today.