As a 44-year-old — part of what’s come to be known as the ‘elder’ or ‘geriatric’ millennial demographic — it’s probably no surprise that I value sleep and rest over late nights on the town.
A little boring, maybe, but I’ll take the peace and quiet if it means not feeling terrible the next day — long gone are the days of getting home in the early hours and being able to squeak by on just a few hours of sleep.
Read: 2024 Mental Health Summit: Examining the link between poor sleep and mental health
While I’ve long valued a good night’s rest — when I started my career in the community newspaper world nearly 20 years ago, one of my first columns was about this very topic — my love of sleep has only grown in recent years, and with good reason.
I’ve long endured occasional bouts of insomnia and ten years ago this coming summer, I was officially diagnosed with sleep apnea. While the signs were there for a while, a sudden inability to sleep in 2016 prompted me to take a sleep test and find a solution. Continuous positive airway pressure treatment — or CPAP as it’s more commonly called — has, frankly, changed my life and I’m all for it, regardless of how cumbersome it can feel sometimes.
This is also a call for anyone who is experiencing chronic lack of sleep (or who’s noticing it in a loved one) to take the appropriate steps and speak with a doctor. I can’t imagine living with untreated sleep apnea for longer than I endured in 2016.
Read: Back to basics on sleep
However, considering the impact sleep has on all aspects of health, it’s important for everyone, regardless of a sleep apnea diagnosis, to maintain good sleep hygiene. Employers can play a key role in promoting the importance of sleep and there are lessons to be learned from some of the winners in Benefits Canada’s 2025 Workplace Benefits Awards.
In 2024, Pratt & Whitney Canada — which won in the Health/Wellness Program and Mental Health Program categories for employers with more than 1,000 employees — introduced a virtual sleep clinic after an internal survey found 33 per cent of employees reported sleep issues. Employees have access to a five-week treatment plan through virtual sessions with sleep psychologists. The clinic also offers monthly webinars, podcasts and articles to support improved sleeping habits.
Since June, roughly 200 employees have followed the treatment plan, noted Emmanuelle Gaudette, the company’s senior leader for organizational health. “Sleep is such an important aspect of health. Many of our employees struggle with sleep issues and [through this offering] we’re making a tremendous impact.”
Read: Pratt & Whitney Canada’s winning well-being program centres around four pillars of health
Flight Centre Travel Group is also communicating the importance of sleep through several different education channels for employees. The company was recognized in the Health/Wellness Program and Mental Health Program categories for employers with fewer than 1,000 employees.
In addition to running webinars, Flight Centre posts regular tips on its internal website, highlighting common suggestions for improving sleep, such as cutting out caffeine in the afternoon, using blackout blinds and avoiding screens close to bedtime.
While it can be difficult to ensure the conditions for good sleep every night, these tips go a long way and I’ve used them in my own sleep routine with good results. In fact, I’m already looking forward to tonight’s rest.
Read: Flight Centre wins for wide-ranging support of employee well-being