OVERVIEW

Women’s Sleep Health forms part of Canada’s Sleep Calendar, a coordinated programme of national public education presented by The Sleep Society to improve sleep health awareness across Canada.

Women’s sleep health deserves greater recognition. Throughout life, hormonal and physiological changes associated with the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, the postpartum period, menopause and ageing can influence sleep. Social factors, including caregiving responsibilities, work and family demands, can also affect the opportunity for healthy sleep. These influences may affect not only sleep quality but also physical health, emotional wellbeing, daily functioning and quality of life.

By increasing awareness and encouraging earlier recognition of sleep problems and sleep disorders, this initiative promotes a better understanding of the factors that can influence women’s sleep throughout life. Healthy sleep is an essential component of women’s health and deserves greater recognition in prevention, healthcare and lifelong wellbeing.

WHY IT MATTERS

Women may experience sleep problems and sleep disorders differently from men, and the nature and frequency of sleep disturbance can change considerably throughout life. Insomnia is particularly common among women and may become more prominent during periods of hormonal change, including pregnancy and the transition through menopause. Other important sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome, may also be overlooked or present differently at various stages of life.

Poor sleep can affect mood, concentration, metabolic and cardiovascular health, pregnancy and maternal wellbeing, safety and overall quality of life. Greater awareness of the relationship between sleep and women’s health can encourage earlier recognition, appropriate assessment and treatment, and better long-term health outcomes.

BACKGROUND

Women’s Sleep Health is observed throughout May as part of Canada’s Sleep Calendar. The initiative promotes greater awareness of the relationship between women’s health and healthy sleep, encouraging sleep to be recognised as a fundamental component of lifelong health, resilience and wellbeing.

Historically, some aspects of women’s sleep health have received less attention than they deserve. Sleep needs and sleep disorders can be influenced by biological, hormonal, psychological and social factors that change throughout a woman’s life. Pregnancy, parenting, menopause, ageing, work and caregiving may each present different challenges to healthy sleep.

Recognising these differences is important. Sleep problems should not simply be accepted as an inevitable consequence of being a woman, becoming a mother or growing older. Greater awareness can help women recognise when their sleep has changed, understand when professional assessment may be appropriate and make healthy sleep an important part of their overall healthcare.

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CURRENT ACTIVITIES

The Sleep Society and SleepSafeCanada are currently working to:

• Promote public awareness of women’s sleep health throughout the lifespan.
• Increase understanding of the relationship between hormonal and physiological changes, different life stages and healthy sleep.
• Increase awareness of sleep disorders that may be overlooked or present differently in women.
• Develop educational resources for the public, healthcare professionals, workplaces and community organisations.
• Support annual awareness activities throughout May as part of Canada’s Sleep Calendar.
• Encourage collaboration with healthcare organisations, hospitals, educational institutions, governments, women’s health organisations and industry.
• Build partnerships and national support to expand the initiative across Canada.

ENDORSEMENTS

We welcome the endorsement of governments, healthcare organisations, universities, professional associations, women’s health organisations and community organisations that support the aims of this initiative and greater recognition of women’s sleep health.

PARTNERS

We collaborate with organisations that actively support the development, delivery and promotion of this initiative through education, research, collaboration and public engagement.

SUPPORTERS

We gratefully acknowledge organisations, businesses and individuals who support the aims of this initiative and help raise awareness within their communities and networks.

SPONSORS

We gratefully recognise organisations whose financial or in-kind support helps make this initiative possible and extends its reach across Canada.

RESOURCES

Access articles, fact sheets, videos, posters and downloadable resources relating to women’s sleep health and the importance of healthy sleep throughout life.

SleepSafeCanada

Canada’s National Sleep Health Awareness Initiative

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SleepSafeCanada promotes public awareness of the importance of healthy sleep through Canada’s Sleep Calendar, national education campaigns, community engagement and public health initiatives that encourage healthier, safer and more productive lives.

A Better Sleep

Your Trusted Sleep Information Resource

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For additional public information, articles and downloadable resources relating to this initiative, please visit abettersleep.net. The site provides trusted, evidence-based information to help people better understand healthy sleep, sleep disorders and the lifelong importance of healthy sleep.

The Sleep Society

Canada’s Interdisciplinary Sleep Health Community

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The Sleep Society brings together healthcare professionals, researchers, educators, organisations and industry to advance sleep health through collaboration, education and research. Visitors can explore professional education, connect with Canada’s growing interdisciplinary sleep health community and locate healthcare professionals with an interest in sleep health.

GET INVOLVED

Help raise awareness of the initiative by sharing information and supporting greater public understanding of women’s sleep health and the importance of healthy sleep throughout every stage of life.

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MEDIA CENTRE

Access news, media releases, campaign updates and other information relating to Women’s Sleep Health.

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TOGETHER

The Sleep Society has selected Web Hosting Canada as its Strategic Technology Partner, supporting the continued development, delivery and national growth of this initiative while helping build the digital infrastructure needed to support future collaboration across Canada.

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