Unveiling the "Hour Back Pledge," Sleep Country aims to enhance sleep health and mental well-being
Sleep Country Canada Holdings Inc. (Sleep Country), Canada's leading specialty sleep retailer, is emphasizing the significant impact of sleep on physical and mental well-being during Sleep Awareness Month.
Through a new survey, Sleep Country has brought attention to how Daylight-Saving Time affects Canadians' sleep patterns and mental health, revealing that “1 in 2 Canadians experience disruption to their sleep schedule” during this period.
This disruption leads to stress and confusion, with “over 50 percent needing over a week to cope with the loss of an hour of sleep.”
In response to these findings, Sleep Country announced the ‘Hour Back pledge’ for the first time in Canadian history, aiming to counteract the negative effects of Daylight-Saving Time on health and well-being.
As part of this pledge, Sleep Country will open all its retail stores, Distribution Centres, and offices “an hour later than usual on Monday March 11,” allowing its employees to reclaim their lost sleep.
Further solidifying its commitment to sleep as an “essential pillar of health,” Sleep Country has partnered with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) to promote the transformative power of sleep.
Supporting this partnership, Sleep Country is donating $100,000 to the Canadian Mental Health Association to support mental health initiatives. This donation underscores the critical role sleep plays in overall well-being and advocates for the adoption of healthy sleep habits among Canadians.
Stewart Schaefer, president, and CEO of Sleep Country, expressed pride in the ‘Hour Back Pledge,’ stating, “As leaders in sleep for almost 30 years, we understand that sleep is critical for us to function mentally, physically and emotionally.”
He further encouraged all Canadians to join a nationwide petition to advocate for quality sleep, emphasizing that “this initiative transcends our organization.”
The CMHA, Canada's most established mental health organization, supports Sleep Country's efforts, with National CEO Margaret Eaton noting that “studies have shown that poor sleep negatively affects mental health.”
She highlighted the importance of restorative sleep in preventing mental health problems and managing stress.
Despite the recognized importance of sleep for mental well-being, research shows that nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of Canadians aged 18-54 sleep less than 7 hours a day on average, which is below the recommended hours of sleep.
The survey further found that 85 percent of Canadian respondents reported increased productivity at work when well-rested, and 90 percent experienced improved concentration with consistent, restful sleep.
