Are Canadians Getting Enough Sleep?
The recommended amount of sleep varies by age. For adults aged 18 to 64, 7 to 9 hours per night is ideal, while seniors aged 65 and older should aim for 7 to 8 hours.
Here Are The Numbers:
Adults (18–64): On average, Canadians in this age group sleep 7.9 hours per night, with 77% meeting the recommended range.
Seniors (65+): Although seniors average 8.1 hours of sleep, only 55% hit the ideal range. Notably, 29% of seniors report sleeping more than recommended.
Interestingly, women are more likely than men to meet the recommended sleep durations, although they also report lower sleep quality.
Sleep Quality Remains a Concern
Quantity isn’t the only issue—quality matters just as much. While 61% of adults report high-quality sleep, this number rises to 71% among seniors. Men generally report better sleep quality than women, and those who sleep within the recommended duration tend to experience higher-quality sleep.
What’s Disrupting Our Sleep?
Several modern lifestyle factors are interfering with Canadians’ ability to sleep well:
Social Jet Lag: Many Canadians experience variability in sleep and wake times between workdays and weekends. Half of adults aged 18 to 64 reported significant differences in sleep onset times, and two-thirds had variability in sleep duration and wake times. This inconsistency, often termed "social jet lag," can impact sleep quality.
Screen Time: Excessive use of electronic devices, especially before bedtime, is associated with shorter sleep duration and lower sleep quality. Among adults aged 18 to 64, 68% used electronic media within 30 minutes of bedtime, and 71% had devices present in the bedroom. Those adhering to recreational screen time recommendations (no more than 3 hours per day) were more likely to meet sleep duration guidelines.
Physical Activity: Regular daytime exercise is linked to better sleep. Older adults meeting physical activity guidelines were more likely to achieve recommended sleep durations. However, this association wasn't observed in younger adults.
Why Better Sleep Matters
Chronic sleep deprivation and poor sleep quality aren’t just inconvenient—they can have serious health consequences. Inadequate sleep increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, depression, and accidents.
The good news? Improving sleep is within reach. Small adjustments, such as going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, incorporating regular physical activity, and cutting back on screen use before bedtime, can lead to noticeable improvements in sleep and overall health.
Source: Statistics Canada – Catching zzz’s on World Sleep Day
If you’re struggling with your sleep, maybe it’s time to get a test?
