Dr. David Greenberg, a primary care physician with an interest in sleep, stresses the importance of sleep for overall health. “Sleep is not just a luxury – it’s essential for physical health, cognitive function, and emotional regulation. Ongoing poor sleep can lead to serious conditions, from high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes to anxiety and depression,” he explains.

Trouble sleeping can have several root causes from lifestyle to mental health issues to certain conditions like physical pain, neurological disorders and even menopause. Although sleep disturbances are associated with many mental and physical health issues, experts point out that sleep issues need to be prioritized to improve long term outcomes.

As many Canadians who have trouble sleeping search for solutions, the survey found that 51% have tried natural remedies, vitamins, or supplements for better sleep. Meanwhile, 31% have turned to prescription medications, and 23% have explored cannabis.

Beliefs about prescription sleep medications
The survey also revealed that many Canadians still hold erroneous beliefs that don’t apply to all prescription sleep aids. Among those who haven’t tried them for their sleep troubles, 39% cite concerns about dependency, while 34% are wary of side effects.

Dr. Greenberg emphasizes the importance of dispelling these misconceptions. “Many people hesitate to try modern prescription sleep medications due to outdated concerns. In reality, there are now available medications that are safe and effective, and unlikely to be habit forming. They can provide individuals with improved sleep when other methods have failed, and particularly when their brain just can’t flip the ‘off’ switch. If you’re struggling to sleep and not feeling refreshed in the morning, it’s crucial to prioritize your health which includes good sleep. Find the time to speak with your healthcare provider about all available solutions, which may include medication.”

And some of us do nothing
The survey also uncovered a concerning trend: 21% of Canadians with sleep problems haven’t tried any sleep aids. Additionally, 30% of those who haven’t tried prescription medications don’t think their sleep issues are serious enough to consult a doctor. This underscores that Canadians are not recognizing good sleep as a fundamental aspect of health and wellness.

Willing to make sacrifices for better sleep
Interestingly, some Canadians are willing to make significant sacrifices for a good night’s sleep. One-third (33%) would give up alcohol, and 27% would cut caffeine in exchange for better sleep. Only 5% would give up intimate relations.

Creating the right sleep environment
Creating a restful sleep environment is key. Tips include keeping bedrooms dark, cool, and quiet, and practicing good sleep hygiene, such as reading or taking a warm bath before bed. If these efforts don’t work, it may be time to consult a doctor.

Sleep consensus from Canadian experts
To assist Canadians, a group of sleep experts have developed a consensus document offering guidance for managing sleep issues. As a first step, the experts suggest cognitive behavioural therapy, an approach that works by identifying and changing thoughts and behaviours that prevent a person from sleeping well. The panel also suggests physicians integrate safe and effective prescription sleep medications into sleep treatment plans that may provide benefits over others.

If you’re not sleeping, talk to a doctor
Dr. Greenberg encourages Canadians to take sleep seriously: “We’ve normalized poor sleep, but it’s one of the most important factors in our health. Those who have struggled with poor sleep need to know that achieving good quality sleep is possible, allowing them to wake up refreshed and ready to take on the day. I urge anyone struggling with sleep to speak to their doctor and visit sleeponitcanada.ca for helpful resources.”

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Who sleeps best – and who struggles?
While Mainland China leads in sleep duration, with most averaging over 7 hours per night, Norway and the USA struggle, with Americans reporting the most disrupted sleep. 64% of Egyptians rate their sleep as good, the highest globally, while financial stress, screen time, and inconsistent routines negatively impact rest in other regions.

“Sleep is an important factor for life quality. At IKEA, we’re committed to understanding people’s sleep challenges and providing solutions – whether through smart bedroom designs, better sleep environments, or simple daily habits,” said Belén Frau, Global Communication and Positioning Manager, IKEA Retail (Ingka Group).

Why are we losing sleep?
The study identifies stress, financial concerns, and technology use as the biggest obstacles to quality sleep:

• 40% cite stress and overthinking as their main sleep disruptors
• 72% use phones in bed, increasing to 86% among 18-24-year-olds
• 19% rely on medication, with 5% using it daily

A call for sleep equality
The IKEA Sleep Score exposes stark inequalities in sleep quality, with financially insecure individuals, the LGBTQ+ community, and women with young children scoring well below the global average.

“Many people sleep in shared or multifunctional spaces, making rest even more challenging. By understanding these realities, we can design products that improve everyday life,” said Jasper Wuts, Range Insights Manager, IKEA of Sweden.

Simple tips for better sleep
The report offers actionable recommendations, such as sticking to a routine, limiting screen time, creating a restful environment, and practicing relaxation techniques.

Understanding Life at Home
IKEA continuously explores how people live, rest, and play, developing in-depth global studies, including the world’s largest Life at Home Report, as well as the Play Report and Climate Report. These insights help IKEA create solutions that meet the needs of the many, ensuring a better life at home.

Read IKEA Sleep report at IKEA Sleep Report 2025.

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Sleep concerns aren’t the only thing keeping Canadians awake at night, worries about mental health and a desire to feel more energetic are also on the rise.

The upcoming time change on March 10^th, and the loss of an hour of sleep, strains an already challenged focus on well-being and questions the relevance of the change, despite the benefits of added day light and Vitamin D exposure.

According to Susan Weaver, Managing Director Strategy and Innovation for Pearl Strategy, “We know from interviewing Canadians post-pandemic, they are more proactive with self-care. They are actively seeking out information and products to help with foundational habits and learning how food can help them feel more energized.”

In depth information gathered in December 2023, through The Pearl Health and Wellness study, reflects opinions from a thousand Canadians (1,015 sampled to be regionally representative, excluding Nunavut, Yukon and NWT) and confirms the desire for improved sleep, managing mental health and other broad aspects of health, wellness and consumption. The study was inclusive of Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X and Boomers.

“We make it our business to know what’s on the minds of Canadians, that’s why every year we check-in on wellness priorities, choices and habits. The Pearl study allows us to make some interesting correlations, like knowing that seven in 10 Canadians are more likely to consume foods with protein when working on their wellness, valuable insight for consumers or anyone in the food business,” added Weaver. “With March being Nutrition Month, and stressful time of year for the seasonal time change, we wanted to make our findings broadly accessible for people and companies who are striving to lead healthier lives.”

The study is available for free download (The Pearl Health and Wellness study) and some of the key report findings include:

Improving Sleep

• Women express higher concerns about lack of sleep (61% vs. 54%) and tiredness/lack of energy (58% vs. 52%) compared to men.
• Women prioritize improving sleep significantly more than men (55% vs. 49%).
• Gen Z places a high priority on sleep improvement (63%), surpassing Millennials (52%) and Gen X (48%).
• Millennials are notably concerned about lack of sleep (64%), indicating potential implications for their overall health and lifestyle.
• Top actions taken to improve sleep – take prescription medicine (54%), pursue self-care (48%), meditation (45%), pursue hobbies (44%) and reduce/avoid stressful situations (43%). Men are more likely to take actions to reduce/avoid stressful situations (50% vs. 38%) compared to women. Women are more likely to take prescription medicine (64% vs 53%) compared to Men. Gen Z are more likely to meet/socialize with friends (46%) compared to older generations.

Focus on Mental Health

• Mental health concerns jumped +6Pts in 2023 from 2020.
• Women rated mental health at 54% and avoid/reduce stress at 53% higher than men.
• Gen Z exhibits a notably higher emphasis on mental health (73%) and stress (71%).
• Top actions taken to improve mental health – pursue self-care (48%), spend time in nature/outdoor (48%), research health information (45%), pursue hobbies (44%) reduce/avoid stressful situations (43%) and visit a health and wellness professional (38%). Men are more likely to visit a health and wellness professional (42% vs 31%) compared to women. Gen X is less likely to research health information (37%) compared to younger generations.

Efforts to Build Energy/Vitality

• Women express a higher concern for tiredness/lack of energy (58% vs 52%) compared to men.
• Gen Z places a high importance on increasing energy (58%).
• Gen Z rates tiredness/lack of energy (60%) as a substantial health concern, aligning with their overall focus on mental health and well-being.
• Top actions taken to increase energy – pursue self-care (48%), exercise/physical activities (47%), Spend time in nature/outdoor (46%) and reduce/avoid stressful situations (44%). Men are more likely to engage in exercise/physical activities (55% vs 40%) compared to women to gain energy and women are more likely to meditation (46% vs 36%).

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