A new study looking at the sleep habits of Canadian men has found a third of them are sleep deprived, which in turn, can impact their overall health and well-being.
The study by the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation (CMHF) surveyed 500 men between the ages of 30 and 49 and found 33 per cent of them were only getting four to six hours of sleep a night. The recommended amount of sleep per night is seven to eight hours.
With the decreased hours of sleep, more than half the men said they woke up feeling tired.
It’s a trend that can leave men vulnerable to health problems.
“Men may be surprised to learn that getting at least seven hours of sleep is a great way to speed up your metabolism, reduce your chances of having a heart attack, prostate cancer and developing type 2 diabetes,” CMHF chairman Dr. Larry Goldenberg said in a statement.
Along with impeding men’s health, lack of sleep can also have an impact physically. It turns out lack of sleep and erectile dysfunction go hand-in-hand.
Goldberg said “in some cases, for men experiencing erectile dysfunction, the cause may be obstructive sleep apnea, which is characterized by snoring and breathless spells during sleep. Overall, sleep impacts your health and well-being.”
What’s the cause for this lack of sleep?
The study found a combination of evening routines responsible for the lack of sleep — two of which, involve technology.
About 45 per cent of Canadian men stay up late watching television; 41 per cent stay up late browsing the internet and 34 per cent often eat food before going to bed, according to the study.
“It can be tough to switch off electronic devices before you go to sleep, but the mind needs time to unwind,” said Shea Emry, a CMHF Champion and retired CFL linebacker.
“Guys shouldn’t underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep to ensure a healthy state of mind.”