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Last Updated June 26, 2025
We all know sleep is important. But how much of it, when to do it, and even how it should look? That’s where things get strange. Some of the most successful and brilliant minds in history have had truly bizarre sleep habits, ones that make your midnight Netflix binge look perfectly normal. From power naps every few hours to complete disregard for a regular bedtime, these famous people took unconventional approaches to rest. But behind all the odd routines are surprisingly human stories. Let’s look at some of the weirdest sleep habits from well-known figures and what we can take away from their sleep experiments.
Key Takeaways:
For most of us, a “normal” night means roughly seven to nine hours of continuous sleep. That’s what sleep experts recommend, and for good reason, as it gives your brain and body time to recover.
But what happens when people decide to ignore that advice completely?
The truth is, a good night's sleep isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience. Some people feel great after five hours, while others can barely function without a full nine.
Culture, environment, biology, and even personal goals all shape how people approach rest. Throughout history, artists, inventors, world leaders, and business tycoons have experimented with ways to reclaim time or spark creativity by rethinking their sleep patterns.
We’re not saying these are ideal routines to follow. But they offer a fascinating look into how sleep can be molded, stretched, or squeezed.
Here are some of the most bizarre sleeping habits from well-known figures across history and pop culture. Some found inspiration in power naps, others simply ignored sleep altogether. Either way, their habits are far from ordinary, and they just might change the way you think about rest.
Leonardo da Vinci didn’t believe in the traditional “go to bed at night and wake up in the morning” kind of sleep. Instead, he followed a polyphasic sleep schedule known as the 'Uberman sleep cycle,' where he slept for 20 minutes every four hours.
According to stories (though historians debate their accuracy), this routine gave him more hours to work on his ideas. And let’s be honest, he did get a lot done.
What we can learn:
While this schedule may not be realistic or healthy for most people, it serves as a reminder of how flexible sleep can be. Napping doesn’t always have to be a lazy habit. Short, strategic naps can refresh your mind and give you a boost. Just don’t go replacing all your sleep with them.
Tesla, the eccentric inventor behind the Tesla coil and early work in wireless electricity, reportedly took just a two-hour nap every night. He claimed he hated sleep and thought it got in the way of his creativity. He once worked 84 hours straight without taking a single break. Yes, 84 hours. That’s nearly three and a half days.
It’s worth noting, though, that Tesla’s sleep deprivation may not have been healthy. Later in life, he experienced signs of a mental breakdown and hallucinations.
What we can learn:
Pushing yourself to extremes might sound impressive, but there’s always a cost. Your brain needs downtime. Sleep isn’t a luxury; it’s how your body repairs itself, stores memories, and keeps you emotionally balanced. Tesla’s brilliance was real, but so were the consequences of neglecting rest.
During World War II, Churchill had one of the most intense jobs in history, but he still made time for his daily midday nap. Around 5 p.m., he’d head to bed for a solid hour and a half. He believed this gave him two workdays instead of one.
Churchill didn’t just nap occasionally. He changed into pajamas and got under the covers. Staff at 10 Downing Street knew to schedule around it. He’d stay up until 2 or 3 in the morning, then sleep a few more hours before starting again.
What we can learn:
Churchill’s habit shows how naps can be a valuable tool, even for people handling enormous responsibility. Taking a short break can actually help you think more clearly, especially when you’re under pressure.
Dalí, the Spanish surrealist known for his melting clocks and dreamlike art, had a peculiar method of napping. He would sit in a chair holding a spoon or a key over a metal plate. Just as he drifted off, his fingers would relax, the key would fall, and the noise would jolt him awake.
That moment between wakefulness and sleep was where he believed his best ideas lived. He called it “slumber with a key,” and he used it to access a more creative mental space.
What we can learn:
You don’t need to copy Dalí’s spoon-drop technique, but there’s something to be said for paying attention to that fuzzy space between wakefulness and dreaming. Sometimes our most creative thoughts come when we’re just about to fall asleep. Keep a notebook nearby; you might surprise yourself.
You’ve probably heard his famous saying: “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” And yes, Franklin did believe in starting the day early, as he usually woke up around 5 a.m.
However, what you don’t often hear is that he also took naps. A lot. Franklin enjoyed his afternoon rest and even scheduled quiet thinking time in bed. He didn’t treat sleep as an enemy of productivity, but as a tool to help him do more with the hours he had.
What we can learn:
Franklin’s balanced approach to sleep shows that you don’t have to choose between ambition and rest. You can be both energetic and rested. And you don’t need to live by some perfect routine - just listen to what your body needs.
Martha Stewart reportedly sleeps around three to four hours a night. She wakes up early to exercise, answers emails at odd hours, and packs every day with meetings, cooking, gardening, and everything else she’s built her empire on.
Like her, many CEOs and high-performers claim to sleep as little as possible to gain extra hours in the day. But the science isn’t exactly on their side. Chronic sleep deprivation, even if it feels manageable, adds up over time.
What we can learn:
It’s tempting to think you can “train” your body to need less sleep, but most people simply can’t function well that way long-term. What works for someone else, even if they’re wildly successful, might not be right for you.
Tom Cruise sleeps in a special, soundproof room nicknamed the “snoratorium” so that his snoring doesn’t disturb anyone else. Whether it’s true or not, it speaks to a growing trend among couples and families: sleeping separately to get better quality rest.
It’s not as unromantic as it sounds. Many people are realizing that a peaceful night’s sleep might matter more than sticking to the tradition of sharing a bed every single night.
What we can learn:
If your sleep is suffering because of a snoring partner or different schedules, it’s okay to rethink how you sleep. Quality sleep matters more than following one “normal” way of doing things.
Mariah Carey is legendary for her vocal range, and she reportedly takes her rest just as seriously. In interviews, she’s said she sleeps up to 15 hours a night and surrounds herself with 20 humidifiers in her bedroom to keep her voice in top condition.
That kind of environment might sound excessive, but for Carey, it’s about protecting her instrument. Warm, moist air helps prevent vocal cords from drying out, especially when you're using them to belt five-octave high notes.
What we can learn:
Prioritizing sleep is a part of self-care, especially when your career (or mood, or health) depends on how well your body recovers. And yes, your sleep environment should match your needs, even if that means a bedroom full of humidifiers.
You might think Olympic athletes just need rest, nutrition, and a strict workout routine. But for Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history, sleep was a part of the training itself.
Phelps slept in a specially designed altitude chamber, a type of tent-like enclosure that mimics the oxygen levels found at 8,000 to 9,000 feet above sea level. Why? The lower oxygen levels force the body to produce more red blood cells, which improves endurance. In other words, he trained even while sleeping.
What we can learn:
The quality of your sleep environment can make a big difference. Most of us don’t need a high-altitude chamber, but adjusting your room’s temperature, lighting, and air quality can boost a good night's rest.
Charles Dickens wasn’t just picky about his prose; he was equally obsessive about his sleep setup. He insisted that his bed always face true north, believing that aligning with the Earth’s magnetic field improved his sleep and boosted creativity.
Charles Dickens wasn’t just picky about his prose; he was equally obsessive about his sleep setup. He insisted that his bed always face true north, believing that aligning with the Earth’s magnetic field improved his sleep and boosted creativity.
What we can learn:
While the science behind magnetic sleep alignment is shaky at best, Dickens’ sleep quirks show how personal and psychological our bedtime habits can be. Feeling in control of your sleep space, even if it’s just about positioning your bed a certain way, can give you a stronger sense of calm.
You might be wondering if the secret to success is just finding a strange way to sleep. Not exactly. While some of these routines are fascinating, they’re not a blanket solution. In fact, most of them probably wouldn’t work for the average person trying to stay healthy and focused.
But here’s the real takeaway: Sleep is personal. What helps one person thrive might leave another feeling completely drained. What’s important is that you find what works for you, and that you actually respect your body’s need for rest.
You don’t have to sleep for eight hours straight if that doesn’t feel right. You don’t have to wake up at 5 a.m. just because Benjamin Franklin said it was smart. And you definitely don’t need to fall asleep holding a spoon. Unless you really want to!
Polyphasic sleep may work short-term for a few people, but it’s not great for long-term health. Most people need steady, deep sleep to stay sharp and healthy. A 2017 study of college students found that irregular sleep patterns disrupted their body clocks and hurt their academic performance, even with the same total hours of sleep. Cutting total sleep time, as many polyphasic schedules do, can lead to the same problems as sleep deprivation.
Some people may feel okay on less sleep temporarily, but long-term sleep restriction is linked to memory issues, mood swings, and even a higher risk of chronic illness.
One that aligns with your natural body rhythm. For most people, that means keeping a consistent bedtime and waking up around the same time every day. Avoiding screens and reducing caffeine intake a couple of hours before bed can also help improve sleep quality and boost productivity the next day.
Constantly changing your sleep-wake times can confuse your internal clock, making it harder to fall asleep and wake up naturally.
Sleeping in helps a little, but it doesn’t fully reverse the effects of chronic sleep debt.
Yes. They block outside light and help signal to your brain that it’s time to wind down, especially if you’re sensitive to light.
Not always. Many prioritize enough sleep because it helps them focus and recover, allowing for better decision-making during awake time.
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Disclaimer: What is said in this article has been referenced from multiple sources and is intended only for educational and informational purposes. Please note that no content in this article is a substitute for professional advice from a qualified doctor or healthcare provider. Always consult an experienced doctor with any concerns you may have regarding a health condition or treatment, and never disregard any medical suggestions or delay in seeking treatment because of something you read here.
