The 'tired tax': How poor sleep could be costing Canadians more than they think

Autumn exhaustion isn’t exclusively reserved for those changing their clocks. While the clocks going back used to be an easy explanation for why we feel so exhausted every fall, new research from Sleep Country suggests sleep challenges go beyond a one-hour time shift.

In fact, more than half (52 per cent) of Canadians say they need more sleep in the fall and winter. When missed sleep starts to add up, it creates what’s known as sleep debt — the accumulated gap between the sleep your body needs and the sleep you actually get.

The cost of tired tax

Sleep Country

Sleep debt has a way of depleting Canadians — in both energy and money. Canadians report that they’re more likely to pay for convenience, reach for an extra caffeine fix or make purchases they wouldn’t normally make when they’re overtired.

This shows up in many different ways, and is especially pronounced among Canadians under 35. When tired, more than three in five (63 per cent) respondents under 35 who ever feel a lack of sleep say they’re more likely to make impulse purchases, and almost 30 per cent admit they may buy something they’ll later regret.

However, all Canadians are affected. Perhaps a bad night’s sleep means buying an extra coffee on your lunch break (two-thirds of respondents), ordering takeout rather than cooking (60 per cent of respondents), or giving yourself a little treat simply because you deserve it (nearly two in five respondents). You might also be more likely to take a taxi when tired, which is twice as likely if you’re under 35. This sort of tired tax can add up fast.

So, what’s causing your sleep debt? It can be any number of reasons, from increased stress levels to a subpar sleep environment. Among poor sleepers under 35, 40 per cent cited screen time as a contributing factor to their most recent poor night’s sleep. When you get to the root of the problem, it’s easier to examine how it impacts your life and what you can do to fix it.

Solving sleep debt

Sleep Country

Start with practical tips and tricks, courtesy of Sleep Expert Amanda Jewson. She recommends not asking yourself how tired you feel, but rather how you’re behaving differently, and then act accordingly. That means pausing before making impulse purchases when tired and knowing when it’s time to put the phone down and go to bed.

Alongside small changes to your routine, a Sleep Expert at Sleep Country can help you look at whether your sleep setup is working for you. Whether you’re in a vicious cycle of sleep debt or want to feel the benefits of resetting your sleep habits, the professionals at Sleep Country know how to support Canadians through every stage of their sleep journey.

For some, the simplest solution is the most effective one. Nearly one in five Canadians report that they don’t get enough sleep because something in their room or bed wasn’t right. Elements like temperature, darkness, noise levels, and comfort all impact how you sleep, whether you realize it or not.

Sleep Country works with Canadians to assess whether your pillow and mattress are working for you and can point you in the right direction if they’re not.

Speaking with someone who gets it can be the first step in paying off your sleep debt, so if you’re losing out on precious rest, it might be time to ask yourself why and reflect on the ways you can prioritize rest.

Learn more about sleep debt and how to reset it by meeting with a Sleep Expert in-store or visiting the Sleep Country website for tips and product recommendations.