| Throughout history there have been great numbers of | | | | mind. |
| famous people who are known to have suffered from | | | | In spite of the discomfort, frustration, stress and tension |
| insomnia. The list below includes writers, poets, | | | | these famous people must have suffered from |
| scientists, political leaders and many others in different | | | | insomnia, they still managed to achieve distinction in |
| walks of life. | | | | their chosen fields. They never allowed their insomnia |
| In spite of their inability to enjoy the benefits of a full | | | | to stand in the way of their goals. |
| night of deep, peaceful, relaxing sleep, these gifted | | | | It is interesting to note however, that so many of these |
| individuals had the strength of character to cope with | | | | famous people, forced to cope with their sleep |
| their sleep problems and achieve eminence in their | | | | problems, also suffered from problems of depression |
| lifetime | | | | and anxiety. |
| NAPOLEON: Napoleon is a striking example of a | | | | It is very difficult to know whether these moods of |
| person who managed to get by on as little as three | | | | depression were the result of their insomnia or |
| hours sleep. Another famous personality who | | | | whether they were due to other unrelated factors. |
| appeared to need very little sleep was Winston | | | | The fact that they were able to achieve such success |
| Churchill. | | | | in spite of their difficulties deserves our admiration and |
| WINSTON CHURCHILL. It is a well-known fact that, for | | | | respect. But it is highly likely they would have |
| the most part of his life, Churchill suffered from | | | | accomplished very much more had they been able to |
| insomnia. He also suffered from severe bouts of | | | | enjoy the benefits of comforting sleep every night. |
| depression that persisted until old age. Churchill referred | | | | The benefits to both mind and body of deep, relaxing, |
| to this depressive state as his "black dog". | | | | refreshing sleep every night are universally recognized. |
| SIR ISAAC NEWTON: The famous British | | | | People are able to function physically far more |
| mathematician, astronomer and philosopher, one of the | | | | effectively. They are also able to think far more clearly |
| leading pioneers of scientific discovery, whose name is | | | | and work far more productively. |
| associated with the laws of gravitation, was also | | | | Adverse effects on the body of insufficient sleep. |
| known to have suffered from inability to sleep and | | | | A great deal of research has been carried out |
| also severe depression. | | | | recently with regard to health problems that can result |
| THOMAS EDISON, the most famous and prolific | | | | from insufficient sleep. There is strong evidence to |
| inventor in history also had great difficulty in falling | | | | suggest that sleep deprivation can lead to serious |
| asleep. | | | | health problems. There appears to be greater risk of |
| ROBERT BURNS The Scottish poet, in his personal | | | | heart attacks, diabetes and gastro- intestinal problems. |
| writings frequently referred to his inability to enjoy the | | | | There are people who sleep only a few hours a night |
| comfort of a full night' sleep and his fits of melancholy | | | | because of the demanding nature of their work. They |
| and anxiety. | | | | feel they are able to "get by" with very little sleep. In |
| JOH STUART MILL The famous English economist | | | | doing so they disregard the potential damage they are |
| and philosopher John Stuart Mill was also known to | | | | doing to their bodies. Insufficient sleep, researchers tell |
| have suffered from bouts of depression and as a | | | | us, eventually takes its toll on one's health. Sleep is a |
| result found great difficulty in falling asleep. | | | | time for rejuvenation. |
| BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, who achieved world renown | | | | Those who sleep very little at night because they |
| not only as a statesman and diplomat, but also a | | | | choose to do so, are far better off than insomniacs. |
| scientists and inventor, is also someone who suffered | | | | Once they realize the damage it is causing their bodies |
| from severe bouts of insomnia. | | | | they can make a definite decision to change their |
| American presidents who were also insomniacs were | | | | sleeping habits. |
| ABRAHAM LINCOLN and THEODORE | | | | Insomniacs, on the other hand, for a variety of reasons, |
| ROOSEVELT. | | | | find it very difficult indeed to sleep. They feel they |
| And in more modern times the name of MARGARET | | | | have no option but to resign themselves to the fact |
| THATCHER has been mentioned as someone who | | | | that they will be lucky if they are able to sleep even an |
| had great difficulty in falling asleep. | | | | hour or two at night. |
| Well known writers, who were known to have | | | | But insomniacs do have an option. There are positive |
| suffered from insomnia were Shakespeare, Dickens, | | | | techniques available that can help them fall asleep |
| Marcel Proust, and Scott Fitzgerald. | | | | more easily and enjoy the health-giving benefits of |
| Actors and actresses were also not immune: The | | | | peaceful, relaxing sleep every night. |
| names of Cary Grant and Marilyn Monroe come to | | | | |