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Most Canadians would use the extra hour from daylight savings to sleep, but younger adults stay online
Many Canadians (44%) would use the extra hour gained during daylight savings to sleep by keeping their normal bedtime. Older generations are more inclined to do so—Millennials (48%), Gen X (47%), and Boomers+ (47%)—compared to Gen Z (31%). About one in five Canadians (22%) would spend the extra hour watching TV, consistent across generations. However, scrolling social media is notably higher among Gen Z (20%), followed by Millennials (13%), Gen X (9%), and Boomers+ (3%).
Younger Canadians report more negative mood/energy effects when days shorten with older Canadians more often report no impact
Canadians most often report feeling more tired (38%) and less motivated (26%) after the clocks turn back, along with difficulties maintaining healthy routines. Fatigue is least felt by Boomers+ (26%), compared to Gen Z (43%), Millennials (45%), and Gen X (43%). Similarly, younger Canadians are more likely to struggle with maintaining healthy habits-Gen Z (26%), Millennials (24%), Gen X (21%) versus Boomers+ (14%). Women are more likely than men to experience increased fatigue (43% vs. 33%) and reduced motivation (31% vs. 22%) following daylight savings.
Older Canadians are well rested, but middle-aged and younger Canadians crave more
Just over one in four Canadians (27%) say they already get enough sleep. Restfulness increases with age—Boomers+ (42%) are the most rested, compared to Gen Z (20%), Millennials (19%), and Gen X (22%). Half of Canadians (49%) need 1–2 hours of additional sleep on average to feel recharged. Those needing 3+ extra hours (14% overall) are most often aged 18–54 (16%), compared to 9% among Canadians 55+.
Preferred activities by Canadians if given an extra hour differ by generation
Sleeping (32%) and spending time with friends/family (32%) are the top activities Canadians would engage. Sleeping/resting is highest among Millennials (40%) and Gen X (36%). Boomers+ are much more likely to spend an additional hour outdoors (33%) or reading (24%) than younger generations. Scrolling social media sites (23%) and working (16%) are both much more likely with Gen Z than older generations.
Most Canadians carve out at least one hour to unplug with the largest portion needing about 1 hour
Two-thirds of Canadians (67%) dedicate at least one hour a day to “unplugged” time, 29% need one hour, 21% need two, and 17% need three or more. Boomers+ (18%) are more likely to take no down time compared to Gen Z (10%), Millennials (9%) and Gen X (8%).
Younger Canadians spend more personal time on their phone while older Canadians keep their usage low
Overall, approximately one third of Canadians spend 1 to 2 hours on their mobile device (34%) and just under one third spend 3–4 hours (31%).
Generational breakdown:
- Gen Z: 61% spend 3–7 hours of personal time on their mobile device with 34% spending 3 to 4 hours and 27% spending 5 to 7 hours.
- Millennials: 69% spend 1–4 hours of personal time on their mobile device with 36% spending 1 to 2 hours and 33% spending 3 to 4 hours.
- Gen X: 72% spend 1–4 hours of personal time on their mobile device with 39% spending 1 to 2 hours and 33% spending 3 to 4 hours.
- Boomers+: 62% spend up to 2 hours of personal time on their mobile device with 30% spending up to an hour and 32% spending 1 to 2 hours.
An extra hour of meaningfully rest lifts winter energy/mood for most, especially younger adults
A majority of Canadians (55%) say an extra hour of sleep or disconnection will significantly (21%) or noticeably (34%) boost overall energy and mood during the winter months. The positive impact is strongest among Gen Z (67%), Millennials (65%), and Gen X (58%), while Boomers+ (39%) are less likely to benefit, as they already feel sufficiently rested.
Canadians, especially younger adults, feel over-screened and under-rested, and are actively seeking more meaningful offline connection
Two-thirds (66%) of Canadians seek more meaningful connections, led by Gen Z (73%), Millennials (73%), and Gen X (65%), compared to Boomers+ (57%. Approximately, three in five Canadians typically get less sleep than recommended (61%), but 57% also feel rested when they wake up in the morning.
Just under three in five Canadians, feel they spend too much time on their mobile devices (58%), especially Gen Z (76%), Millennials (71%), and Gen X (59%) when compared to Boomers+ (39%). Half of Canadians fell their free time is rarely restorative (51%), in particular Gen Z (66%).
Methodology
This survey was undertaken by The Harris Poll Canada. It ran overnight on October 8th ,2025, with 1,559 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Maru Voice Canada online panelists. The results have been weighted by age, gender, region, and education (and in Quebec, language) to match the population, according to Census data. This is to ensure the sample is representative of the entire adult population of Canada. For comparison purposes, a probability sample of this size has an estimated margin of error (which measures sampling variability) of ±2.5%, 19 times out of 20. Discrepancies in or between totals when compared to the data tables are due to rounding.
