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Globe and Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Globe and Mail
A sleep expert explains why you need lighter, breathable blankets this summer
As temperatures climb, most people naturally adjust their routines: more patio time, fewer layers, an uptick in ice cream consumption. But overlooking one key change at bedtime could sabotage your slumber during the warmer months. As hot nights lead to restless sleep, too many of us keep using our winter-weight bedding. A seasonal swap to lighter, breathable blankets isn't just about aesthetics (though breezy linens and nautical stripes can transform a bedroom into something more beach-y and fun). Experts say it could also be one of the simplest ways to deepen your sleep from June to September. 'Changing blankets seasonally can help improve sleep quality by keeping your body at a comfortable temperature,' says Armin Rahmani, a psychiatrist and sleep medicine specialist. 'Since your thermal needs vary depending on the season, using the same blanket year-round may not provide the best sleep environment.' Struggling with insomnia? 'Sleep hygiene' rules could be making it worse Overheating at night is more than just uncomfortable. 'It can reduce the amount of deep sleep you get, which is critical for feeling rested,' explains Rahmani, who also sits on the board of the Canadian Sleep Society, an advocacy group whose goal is to improve sleep for all Canadians. 'Even mild discomfort from feeling too warm can lead to more fragmented sleep and lighter sleep stages.' Losing sleep over your blanket might sound ironic, even silly, but the consequences can be serious. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research links chronic sleep deprivation to a multitude of issues, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension and poor mental health. And Canadians aren't exactly getting enough shuteye as it is. According to a 2023 survey by Narrative Research, just 16 per cent of us report sleeping well all seven nights of the week. Blankets are not the only cause. Tariffs, politics and a slumping economy are among the many stressors likely keeping us tossing and turning. But it's still worth asking: What should you be snuggling up with when it's more than 25 degrees at midnight? To get clues, Rahmani points to a recent systematic review published in the Journal of Sleep Research. 'The findings highlight that the relationship between bedding materials and sleep is complex,' he says. 'No single blanket type is ideal for everyone. But generally, lighter, breathable materials may benefit those who tend to overheat or sleep in warmer environments.' Insulative materials such as wool and down, he notes, are generally better for chillier seasons. Sogol Asghari, president of Canada's Institute of Textile Science, agrees. 'The most suitable blankets for summer are made from breathable, moisture-wicking and lightweight materials,' she says. 'Fabrics with loose weaves promote airflow and help regulate body temperature during sleep.' Both experts suggest natural fibres such as linen, cotton and bamboo. 'Studies show linen can improve sleep quality under warm conditions, especially in young adults,' Rahmani says. 'For cotton, which can be relatively affordable, look for lightweight, percale-weave cotton for a cooler feel. Bamboo-based fabrics are antimicrobial and naturally cool to the touch.' There can also be environmental pluses, depending on the fabrics. 'From a sustainability perspective, organic cotton and bamboo are appealing options for ecoconscious consumers – when responsibly sourced,' Asghari adds. Look for seals of approval from organizations such as OEKO-TEX, which screens for products detrimental to human health, or the Forest Stewardship Council, which notes the companies that responsibly grow products like bamboo. As for what to avoid? 'Polyester and other synthetic materials may trap heat and sweat, which can disrupt sleep, especially for hot sleepers,' Rahmani says. In short, aim for anything comfortable. If you're waking up tangled in sweaty sheets or peeling polyester off your legs at dawn, your blanket might be unfit for the season. Summer sleep should feel like bliss, not bedlam. A good summer blanket begins with a natural and lightweight fabric.
CBC
02-03-2025
- Health
- CBC
A billion-dollar sleep economy promises to help you snooze better. Should you buy in?
Tyler Rankin has gone to great lengths in his quest for better sleep. Tired of tossing and turning for years, he's tried nearly every sleep gadget and remedy on the market — spending close to $1,000 in the process. "I've tried noise machines, weighted blankets, melatonin, magnesium, sleep teas, sleep tape, sleep hypnotism, sleep masks, nose cones," Rankin, 28, who lives in Etobicoke, Ont., told Cost of Living. "Pretty much everything under the sun, I've tried it." Many Canadians are searching for ways to get a better sleep. According to a survey of 4,037 Canadian adults published last year, one in six Canadians suffers from insomnia. As people spend more on sleep-related products, the global sleep aids market has grown in value. In 2023, the market had an estimated value of $104 billion annually, according to recent data collected by Statista, and is projected to reach $188 billion by 2032. And according to experts, a good night's sleep is also key to the economy. Michael Mak, clinical vice-president of the Canadian Sleep Society, says poor sleep not only incurs costs for individuals who shell out cash in their search for better sleep. Insomnia symptoms in Canada cost the Canadian economy $1.9 billion, caused by health-care costs and lost productivity, according to a 2022 study published in the journal Sleep Health. "[It] includes direct costs like how much the government pays doctors to see people with insomnia [and] how much patients are paying for sleeping pills and therapy to help their sleep," he said. Indirect costs, says Mak, include reduced productivity if an employee is suffering from insomnia and unable to perform at their best, or by not being able to go to work at all. What are people buying? People are dishing out dough on an assortment of sleep enhancers, from hundreds or even thousands of dollars on fluffy pillows and mattresses, or products like essential oil sprays to bask in a spritz of calm before bed. "Canadians are more interested about how to prevent themselves from being sick and to be as healthy as possible," said Mak. "[They] realize that sleep is an important pillar of good health alongside exercise and diet." WATCH | Sleep aid industry boom in Canada: A look into the booming industry of sleep aids 6 years ago Duration 2:25 But it's not just products that people are buying. Services aimed at improving sleep are becoming increasingly popular, prompting entire industries to adapt their offerings for the sleep-deprived. According to Laura Ell, a consultant for the United Nations Tourism Organization, the travel industry is jumping on the burgeoning sleep tourism trend. Gone are jam-packed itineraries with travellers jetting off in search of better sleep, whether that's choosing to visit a relaxing destination like an island surrounded by soothing ocean waves or staying the night in a hotel retrofitted for sleep, says Ell. Ell experienced a sleep-focused holiday during a stay at a hotel in South Korea. She was able to choose from a "whole menu" of pillows, duvets and mattresses with different levels of firmness, softness and texture. "Years ago, it would be maybe the granola, crunchy, kinda hippie yoga retreat places … but now, people are really appreciating the importance of taking care of themselves," she said. What's the cost to businesses? Businesses, too, are trying to tackle the sleep-deprivation problem head on. Greg Stirrett, president and CEO of Rebel Sleep Institute, says his sleep clinic works with primary-care physicians and specialists to diagnose and treat referred patients. But Stirrett says they've also expanded their service to a new area: working directly with companies to identify and treat their employees' sleep problems. "There's an increased awareness about the risks associated with untreated sleep disorders and fatigue in the workplace … [which] I think is largely unaddressed," he said. "Happier and healthier individuals are more productive at work. They make fewer errors, they work better with their colleagues, as well as there are far fewer incidents of injury." Filling a need and demand Tim Silk, an associate professor at the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia, says companies producing sleep aids and services are responding to what they see as gaps in the market. "But are we being sold snake oil or are these things actually effective?" said Silk. "Mattresses and pillows … while they might actually be somewhat effective, they're Band-Aids if you have sleep apnea, right?" Mak says as awareness of sleep health becomes more common, people should be careful to not be "misled into sleep treatments and products that don't actually help from a scientific point of view." In the end, Rankin says his reprieve from sleeplessness didn't come from the gadgets he amassed, but from improving his sleep hygiene — adjusting his habits, like not looking at screens before bed, to help him fall and stay asleep. "Don't fall into the traps of consumer goods at the very start.... It's amazing there are tools out there to help people, but getting rid of distractions is the most important thing," he said.
