Sleep is a valuable ally for physical and psychological health as well as for the prevention of health problems. There is still a long way to go to ensure that the need for sleep is recognized by public and health professionals and for it to be considered a critical determinant of health.

Sleep is a fundamental human need, but many people think that getting more sleep is out of their control. More than half of Canadians report that they cut back on sleep when they need time to accomplish more during the day.

When faced with choosing between something like going to the gym or getting the recommended hours of sleep, people are often choosing to give up necessary sleep hours to fit in their daily routine. Unfortunately, they don’t always understand that they would be better served by the sleep. The same could be said for staying up late cramming for an exam, for example. Prioritizing your health and well-being means prioritizing your sleep.

Good sleep behaviors are associated with reduced risk of adverse health conditions, including mortality, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental and cognitive disorders, accidents, and injuries.

The Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Adults recommend 7 to 9 hours of good-quality sleep for adults younger than 65, and 7 to 8 hours for seniors.