Abraham Lincoln truly left his mark as the 16th president of the United States. He’s best known for issuing the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which freed slaves in areas under rebellion—creating a pathway for the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery in the United States—and allowed African American men to serve in the U.S. armed forces. His famous Gettysburg Address and tall stature (he was 6’4″) are two other common points of conversation that often come up while discussing his presidency.
Notably, Lincoln held office during one of the most difficult periods in our country’s history: the Civil War. Naturally, his job as president came with a lot of stress, and this war only compounded that. Like the rest of us, he had to come up with a routine to help manage the daily stressors of his career.
Rumor has it that Abraham Lincoln had one particular nighttime habit at the end of each day. And after hearing what it was, we’re pretty sure that it could explain how Lincoln dealt with stress.
Parade was curious to know if the president’s bedtime practice could be worth incorporating into our own lives, so we consulted Dr. Michael Roeske, PsyD, a psychologist as well as the founder and Senior Director of the Newport Healthcare Center for Research and Innovation. He walks us through the benefits of the habit and explains why the president might have been onto something.
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The Nighttime Activity Abraham Lincoln Relied on To Fight Insomnia
You may not have heard much about Abraham Lincoln’s evening routine, but Business Insider previously discussed the president’s penchant for late-night walks.
“The president himself struggled with insomnia, and was known to take late-night walks,” the publication reported.
If you’re wondering how to quiet a racing mind at night, you may have considered walking for insomnia and anxiety. But the question remains: Were Abraham Lincoln’s nighttime walks effective for sleep?
Related: Here’s Exactly What Happens to Your Body When You Walk 20 Minutes a Day
Why Lincoln Suffered From Severe Insomnia During the Civil War
19th November 1863: Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States of America, making his famous ‘Gettysburg Address’ speech at the dedication of the Gettysburg National Cemetery during the American Civil War. Painting by Fletcher C. Ransom.Library Of Congress/Getty Images
According to the Lehrman Institute’s page on Lincoln’s health, part of their “Abraham Lincoln’s Classroom” project, the former president suffered from insomnia as a result of pills he took for stomach issues that included mercury.
“Medical speculation has suggested that the mercury might have affected Mr. Lincoln’s physical and mental disposition—causing him irritation and insomnia before he ceased their use in 1861,” the page reads.
President Lincoln’s Cottage, a historic site and museum, posted a podcast transcript for their 2019 Q & Abe episode titled, “How could Lincoln sleep if slavery was happening?” In it, Dr. Richard Waldhorn—who was a professor at Georgetown University, working on sleep medicine at the time—helped discuss Lincoln’s sleep habits—and more specifically, Abraham Lincoln’s insomnia.
“So there’s a lot there that is very reminiscent of common types of insomnia,” Dr. Waldhorn said. “Patients who complain of insomnia frequently say that their mind is racing, they’re working on a problem, thinking about a new issue, and that behavior interferes with what is normally supposed to happen, which is that your brain is supposed to unwind.”
Two other experts on the podcast, Joan Cummins and Jon White, mention the president’s dreams, including two that involve his assassination.
Another expert, Bonnie Martin—a licensed professional counselor who works with survivors of modern slavery—suggested that Lincoln “couldn’t turn it off” at night and was in his head about a lot of different stressors.
Again, Lincoln was president during the Civil War, which naturally created a lot of stress for him. But he also endured an abundance of trauma throughout his life, experiencing the death of several close family members. During the podcast, Martin discussed the ways trauma can impact your body, both mentally and physically, and mentioned that nightmares are often a reaction to PTSD.
“And many, many people re-experience their trauma in their sleep state. Which would stop somebody from sleeping, or not wanting to go to sleep, because if I lay my head to bed at night, I’m going to start dreaming about the thing, the intense suffering that I know is happening,” she said.
Additionally, Martin said trauma can affect the state of your mind.
“And so there’s a lot of just restlessness, so you can be exhausted, but the mind is racing, and the body itself, adrenaline is at higher levels, cortisol is at higher levels, and sleeplessness is absolutely a factor,” she said.
Related: Psychologist Says if You Always Walk Faster Than Others, You Likely Have These 7 Traits
What Psychologists Say Lincoln Got Right About Nighttime Walks
Katherine Young/Getty Images
According to Dr. Roeske, Abraham Lincoln’s night routine was a very sage one if he was dealing with insomnia.
“Abraham Lincoln’s instinct to go for walks to help with his insomnia lines up with what we know and encourage today: when the mind is racing, change the body’s state and the environment,” he tells Parade.
The psychologist notes that racing thoughts can make it difficult to sleep and says walking can help since it’s a “good pattern interrupter.”
“Moving through a different space pulls attention out of the rumination loop and into the present moment, such as footsteps, breath and surroundings,” he explains. “Gentle, rhythmic movements may help regulate stress hormones like cortisol and can release physical tension that builds up when we’re mentally wound up. The brain links environments with thought patterns, and a bed where someone has been tossing and turning can become associated with wakefulness.”
Clearly, there are plenty of psychological benefits of nighttime walks, but Dr. Roeske says walks aren’t a one-size-fits-all cure for insomnia.
“A walk can be a helpful part of a wind-down routine, but it’s not a standalone treatment for chronic insomnia, and the pace matters. A calm, easy walk is soothing, while a brisk or intense one close to bedtime can be activating,” he states.
There are a few additional steps you can take to improve your insomnia:
Maintain a consistent sleep and wake time: “When possible, keeping a consistent sleep and wake time, including weekends, is one of the most effective things people can do to help if they are experiencing insomnia,” Dr. Roeske notes. “For some, getting up at a consistent time, including weekends, and going to bed when sleepy may be more achievable.” Create a wind-down routine: “Building a wind-down routine of 30 to 60 minutes with dim lights, no work and calming activities like reading, light stretching or a warm shower can help,” the psychologist suggests. “This includes limiting screen time before bed, as the content can keep the mind engaged, and the blue light can interfere with the body’s sleep signals.” Consider professional treatment: “For persistent insomnia, sometimes a professional can be helpful, such as receiving cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, or CBT-I, which addresses the thoughts and habits that keep sleep difficulties going,” Dr. Roeske shares.Related: I Tried the Evening Walking Trend ‘Passeggiata’ That Italians Swear By
How To Safely Use Lincoln’s Night Walk Habit To Sleep Better
Going outside to walk in the middle of the night isn’t always a practical or safe idea. To avoid any potential dangers, Dr. Roeske suggests sticking with well-lit and familiar routes.
“Avoid isolated areas, poorly lit streets or unfamiliar paths,” he says.
You can also wear reflective or light-colored clothing and carry a small flashlight or headlamp “so you can see and be seen.” Lastly, keep the volume low or leave headphones at home “so you can hear traffic and your surroundings.”
“Most importantly, be realistic about the time and location. If walking outside doesn’t feel safe, it’s probably best to choose an indoor option instead,” Dr. Roeske states.
If you can’t realistically walk outside at 2 a.m., a slow, mindful walk around the house is a good alternative.
“Move at an easy pace, keep the lights low and focus on your breathing and each step,” Dr. Roeske says.
Here are some other alternatives:
Consider slow and deep breathing: “Inhaling for four seconds and exhaling for six seconds can calm the nervous system,” the psychologist says. Try stretching or yoga: “Gentle stretching or restorative yoga can release tension without revving the body up,” Dr. Roeske suggests. Do a calming activity: “Pair breathing or stretching with a low-stimulation activity like reading a few pages of a calm book or listening to quiet music, and avoid checking your phone,” he shares.Up Next:
Related: Psychologist Says Overthinking at Night Is Closely Linked to These 9 Traits
Sources:
Dr. Michael Roeske, PsyD, is a psychologist as well as the founder and Senior Director of the Newport Healthcare Center for Research and Innovation.Hence then, the article about abraham lincoln often ended his day with this activity psychologist says he was onto something was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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