Insufficient sleep may be influencing Canadians' spending habits, productivity and daily routines, with a new Sleep Country survey finding that 60 per cent of respondents are more likely to order takeout rather than prepare a meal when they have not slept enough.
The survey also found that 63 per cent of respondents under 35 who experience a lack of sleep are more likely to make impulse purchases when tired, highlighting potential consequences for household spending and everyday decision-making.
The Toronto-based specialty sleep retailer released the findings Oct. 20, examining how sleep deprivation affects consumer behaviour, work performance and exercise habits. The results suggest that insufficient sleep can lead to greater spending on convenience, including prepared meals and caffeinated drinks, while affecting productivity during the workday.
Sleep deprivation linked to spending habits
Three in five respondents said insufficient sleep makes them more likely to order takeout instead of cooking or preparing their own meals. That proportion rises to nearly four in five, or 79 per cent, among respondents under 35 who experience insufficient sleep.
Two-thirds of respondents who experience insufficient sleep said they are more likely to purchase an additional coffee, tea or energy drink when tired. Among respondents under 35 who ever experience a lack of sleep, 63 per cent said they are more likely to make impulse purchases when tired, while nearly 30 per cent acknowledged they might buy something they later regret.
The findings point to changes in everyday decisions that can have financial implications, including increased spending on convenience and purchases made while tired. The survey also found that 63 per cent of respondents are more likely than usual to skip a planned gym session, workout or other exercise because of fatigue.
Amanda Jewson, a sleep expert, said people may not immediately recognize the effects of insufficient sleep because the changes can appear gradually in their daily routines.
"Sleep debt doesn't announce itself. It does, however, build up over time and show up as 'I'm just off lately,'" says Jewson. "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."
Productivity and seasonal sleep challenges
The survey found that the effects of insufficient sleep extend into the workplace. Seven in 10 respondents said they get less done after a poor night's sleep, while 63 per cent reported that a lack of sleep worsens their ability to focus.
Nearly half of respondents who ever experience a lack of sleep, or 46 per cent, said they notice the effects after just one night of poor sleep. The results also point to seasonal challenges, with 52 per cent of Canadians saying they need more sleep during the fall and winter.
Sleep Country said the findings come as Canadians enter a period when changing daylight patterns and the transition to standard time can coincide with sleep difficulties. The survey suggests the perceived need for additional rest extends beyond the one-hour clock change in the fall.
Jewson recommends maintaining a consistent wake-up time, including on weekends, and getting outside within an hour of waking to receive morning light. She also advises allowing for an earlier bedtime as the days shorten.
For consumers who tend to shop late at night, Jewson recommends leaving items in an online shopping cart and reviewing the purchases the following day rather than buying while tired.
Retailer points to sleep products and routines
Sleep Country said the survey findings provide an opportunity for Canadians to examine how their sleep habits may be affecting their daily decisions. The company also linked the findings to the role of sleep products and the home sleep environment in helping consumers address their needs.
"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."
The company operates through physical stores and e-commerce, with 233 stores and 18 warehouses across Canada, according to the release. Its business focuses on mattresses and other sleep-related products, with in-store Sleep Experts available to help customers assess their requirements.