October Health – 2025 Report
Sleep in Canada 
The leading cause of sleep stress in Canada at the population level is often linked to work-related factors, including job pressure, long working hours, and workplace stress. Other significant contributors include mental health issues like anxiety and depression, as well as lifestyle factors such as screen time and irregular sleep schedules. Addressing workplace stress through programs like digital group sessions or mental health assessments (such as those offered by October) can help reduce sleep-related stress among employees.
- Sleep Prevalence
- 27.24%
- Affected people
- 14,982,000
Impact on the people of Canada
-
Physical Health Impact:
Chronic high sleep stress can lead to weakened immune function, increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, weight gain, and diabetes. -
Mental Health Impact:
It often causes anxiety, depression, impaired cognitive functions like memory and concentration, and increased irritability. -
Workplace Consequences:
Reduced productivity, higher absenteeism, and greater risk of accidents or errors. -
Personal Life Effects:
Strained relationships due to irritability, reduced social interaction, and decreased ability to manage daily stressors.
Workplace Support Tip:
Consider group sessions and digital assessments from platforms like October to help employees manage sleep stress and improve overall mental well-being.
Impact on the Canada Economy
Effect of High Sleep Stress on an Economy
- Reduced Productivity: Workers experiencing high sleep stress tend to have lower concentration, slower cognitive function, and decreased efficiency, directly impacting overall workplace productivity.
- Increased Absenteeism and Presenteeism: Sleep-stressed employees may take more sick days (absenteeism) or attend work while unwell but perform poorly (presenteeism), both leading to economic losses.
- Higher Healthcare Costs: Chronic sleep stress contributes to physical and mental health issues (e.g., cardiovascular diseases, anxiety, depression), increasing healthcare spending by employers and governments.
- Workplace Accidents: Fatigue linked to sleep stress increases the risk of accidents and errors, especially in safety-critical industries, causing costly disruptions and liabilities.
- Talent Turnover: Poor sleep health can lead to burnout and job dissatisfaction, increasing employee turnover and costs related to hiring and training.
Workplace Mental Health Support Suggestion:
Implementing programs like October’s digital group sessions can help educate employees on managing sleep stress and improving sleep hygiene, mitigating its economic impact. Regular assessments can identify high-risk employees and provide early interventions.
What can government do to assist?
Strategies for a Country to Lower Sleep Stress
1. **Public Education Campaigns**
Promote awareness about good sleep hygiene, importance of sleep, and techniques for managing sleep stress through media and public programs.
2. **Workplace Policies**
Encourage employers to adopt flexible work hours, limit overtime, and promote regular breaks to reduce stress and improve employees' sleep quality.
3. **Mental Health Support Access**
Expand access to mental health services, including stress management and therapy for anxiety or insomnia, potentially via digital platforms like October for group sessions and assessments.
4. **Urban Planning and Noise Reduction**
Implement policies to reduce noise pollution and improve living conditions which affect sleep quality.
5. **Regulation of Screen Time**
Promote guidelines for screen use, especially before bedtime, as excessive screen exposure increases sleep stress.
6. **Encourage Physical Activity**
Promote physical activity programs as exercise can improve sleep quality and reduce stress.
7. **Healthy Work-Life Balance Initiatives**
National support for work-life balance through legislation and cultural shifts to ensure people have time to unwind and sleep well.
Using platforms like **Panda** can help employers provide group sessions on sleep stress management and assessments, enhancing employee support systems.
What can businesses do to assist their employees?
- Promote regular work hours and discourage after-hours emails to support consistent sleep schedules
- Encourage breaks and short naps if possible during long shifts
- Provide education about good sleep hygiene (e.g., limiting screen time before bed, creating relaxing routines)
- Offer access to mental health resources like October’s digital group sessions on stress and sleep management
- Create a work environment that minimizes excessive noise and bright lights during early or late hours
- Consider flexible scheduling to accommodate individual sleep patterns and needs