New research reveals how insufficient sleep is influencing Canadians' spending, daily habits and productivity, with spending effects particularly pronounced among Canadians under 35

TORONTO, Oct. 20, 2026 /CNW/ -- The cost of lost sleep isn't always measured in hours. New research from Sleep Country finds that when Canadians aren't getting enough sleep, the effects can show up in their wallets, their routines and their everyday decisions. From ordering takeout and spending more on convenience to skipping workouts and reaching for extra caffeine, sleep debt is taking a toll that extends well beyond the bedroom.

Sleep Country's new survey reveals how insufficient sleep is influencing Canadians' behaviour:

• 3 in 5 (60%) say that not having enough sleep makes them more likely to order takeout rather than cook or prepare their own meal. That rises to almost 4 in 5 (79%) among respondents under 35 who experience insufficient sleep.
• Two-thirds of respondents who experience insufficient sleep say they are more likely to buy an extra coffee, tea or energy drink when tired.
• More than 3 in 5 (63%) of respondents under 35 who ever feel a lack of sleep say they're more likely to make impulse purchases when tired, and almost 30% admit they may buy something which they'll later regret.
• Nearly two-thirds (63%) say they're more likely than usual to skip a gym session, workout or exercise they'd planned because they were tired.

The findings highlight the often-overlooked consequences of sleep debt, the accumulated gap between the sleep our bodies need and the sleep we actually get. Almost half (46%) of respondents who ever feel a lack of sleep say they notice the effects after just one night of poor sleep. Poor sleep also follows Canadians into the workday. 7 out of 10 get less done when they haven't had a good night's sleep, and more than 3 in 5 (63%) say their ability to focus is worsened by lack of sleep.

"Sleep debt doesn't announce itself. It does, however, build up over time and show up as 'I'm just off lately,'" says Amanda Jewson, sleep expert. "So don't ask how tired you feel. Ask what you're doing differently. Like ordering in more, re-reading emails, snapping at people. These can be signs that insufficient sleep is affecting your daily life, and noticing them is the first step of resetting."

The research comes as Canadians head into a season when sleep can become even more challenging. The clocks going back are often blamed for fall fatigue, but Sleep Country's research suggests the challenge extends beyond the one-hour shift. More than half (52%) of Canadians say they need more sleep in the fall and winter.

To help Canadians reset their sleep habits this fall, Jewson recommends a few practical steps:

• Keep a consistent wake time: Aim to wake up at the same time every day, including weekends.
• Make time for morning light: Get outside within an hour of waking, even on overcast days. Light signals to your body that it is daytime and helps reset your internal clock.
• Make room for an earlier bedtime: As the days shorten, give yourself permission to shift bedtime earlier rather than later in those earlier days of seasonal change. The extra sleep may help you adjust better.
• Sleep on purchases: If you're shopping late at night and feeling tired, leave the items in your cart and revisit them the next day.

"An extra coffee or a takeout order might not be something we connect to how we slept the night before. These findings give Canadians a reason to take a closer look at that connection and their own sleep habits," says Derek Kikot, Regional Sales Manager, Sleep Country Canada. "Alongside changes to daily routines, our Sleep Experts can help Canadians assess whether their pillow, mattress and overall sleep environment continue to suit their needs."

For Canadians feeling the effects of running on empty, Sleep Country offers support in finding sleep solutions that suit their needs. Visit a Sleep Expert in-store or explore sleepcountry.ca.

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ABOUT SLEEP COUNTRY

Sleep Country is Canada's leading specialty sleep retailer with a purpose to transform lives by awakening Canadians to the power of sleep. The Company has omnichannel and eCommerce operations, including 233 stores and 18 warehouses across Canada. Voted Canada's Most Trusted Mattress and Sleep Item retailer by Brandspark, Sleep Country is committed to building a company culture of inclusion and diversity where differences are embraced and valued. The Company actively invests in its sleep ecosystem, innovative products, world-class customer experience, communities and its people. For more information about Sleep Country, please visit sleepcountry.ca.

METHODOLOGY

These results are taken from a national survey of 1,030 Anglophone Canadian adults conducted by Fuse Insights in August and September 2026. The survey excluded Quebec and the territories. The survey was delivered in English only through an online research panel; quotas were used to ensure the respondent sample was representative of Anglophone Canadians, by age, gender and geography. The methodology used means no margin of error can be applied to these results.

SOURCE Sleep Country