Sleep in Canada

Effects of High Sleep Stress on Health and Personal Life

• Physical Health

  • Increased risk of cardiovascular diseases
  • Weakened immune system, leading to frequent illness
  • Higher chances of obesity and diabetes

• Mental Health

  • Heightened anxiety and depression symptoms
  • Cognitive impairments such as poor concentration and memory problems
  • Increased irritability and mood swings

• Workplace Impact

  • Lower productivity and increased errors
  • Greater absenteeism due to health issues
  • Decreased ability to manage workplace stress

• Personal Life

  • Strained relationships from irritability and fatigue
  • Reduced engagement in social and leisure activities
  • Impaired decision-making affecting daily living

Recommendation: Consider incorporating workplace mental health support like October’s digital group sessions and assessments to help employees manage sleep stress effectively.

Effect of High Amount of Sleep Stress on an Economy

1. Reduced Productivity
   Sleep stress leads to fatigue, impaired concentration, and slower cognitive functioning, which reduce employee productivity and efficiency.

2. Increased Absenteeism and Presenteeism
   Employees experiencing sleep stress are more likely to take sick leaves (absenteeism) or come to work but underperform (presenteeism), increasing overall costs.

3. Higher Healthcare Costs
   Chronic sleep stress contributes to physical and mental health problems, increasing demands on healthcare systems and raising insurance and treatment expenses.

4. Workplace Accidents and Errors
   Fatigue related to sleep stress increases the risk of accidents and errors, especially in safety-critical industries, resulting in economic losses and liability costs.

5. Lower Employee Retention and Engagement
   Persistent sleep stress may lead to burnout and higher turnover rates, raising recruitment and training costs.

Workplace Mental Health Support Tip:
Implementing digital group sessions and mental health assessments, such as those offered by October, can help identify and manage workplace sleep stress, improving employee well-being and economic outcomes.

To lower sleep-related stress at a national level, a country can:

1. **Promote Public Awareness Campaigns**  
   Educate citizens about the importance of sleep hygiene and the impact of stress on sleep quality.

2. **Encourage Workplace Sleep Health**  
   Implement policies for reasonable work hours and encourage employers to support flexible schedules and rest breaks.

3. **Support Access to Sleep Health Services**  
   Increase availability of affordable assessments, therapy, and sleep clinics.

4. **Regulate Noise and Light Pollution**  
   Enforce standards to reduce environmental disruptions that affect sleep.

5. **Integrate Mental Health Programs**  
   Use digital platforms like October to offer group sessions and resources focused on stress and sleep within workplaces.

These initiatives collectively can reduce sleep stress and improve overall public mental health.

Ways a Company Can Lower Sleep Stress

1. Promote Healthy Work Hours
   Encourage employees to avoid excessive overtime and maintain consistent schedules to support regular sleep patterns.

2. Flexible Scheduling
   Allow flexible start and end times so employees can manage their sleep better, especially for those with caregiving responsibilities or long commutes.

3. Educate About Sleep Hygiene
   Provide workshops or digital content (like October’s group sessions) on the importance of sleep, bedtime routines, and managing screen time.

4. Create a Rest-Friendly Environment
   Design quiet, relaxing break areas where employees can take short, restorative breaks during the day.

5. Manage Workload and Stress
   Implement workload assessments and adjustments to reduce anxiety that can impact sleep quality.

6. Support Mental Health Resources
   Offer access to therapy and mental health support for stress and anxiety, which are leading contributors to poor sleep.

Using resources like October’s digital group sessions focused on stress management and sleep could further support employees effectively.