When was the last time you had a good night’s sleep? If you can’t remember, then you may be sleep-deprived, like the 58 per cent of Canadians who say they often feel tired. In a recent study by Leger Marketing for CBC News, it was revealed that six out of 10 Canadians get about one hour less shut-eye than the six to eight hours we are told we need.
So, just how bad are our modern sleep habits? “It tends to be worse in more-urban areas,” says Dr. James MacFarlane, director of education for MedSleep, a network of sleep clinics throughout Canada. “As things get more complicated and we get more into a 24-hour society, it tends to take its toll.” MacFarlane, who is also on the board of the Canadian Sleep Society, claims that sleep re- striction and sleep deprivation are two of the biggest problems in today’s society. Numerous studies conducted by the Canadian Sleep Society have linked sleep deprivation to a host of health problems, from heart disease to diabetes. If you’re at the point where “catching forty winks” seems like a long-lost luxury, here are some tips to help you sleep at night.
Published: Fall 2011
Publication: Sears Advantage magazinePosted in: Lifestyle & Décor
