As we transition into winter and daylight hours get shorter, it becomes more difficult to trust our circadian rhythm to tell us when to go to sleep. With no natural light to guide us, it’s easier to work late into the evening or lose track of time doing evening chores, unintentionally eating into the most important task of the day: rest.
Putting off sleep to keep working puts you at a disadvantage the next day. Sleep deprivation results in worse memory, focus, decision-making and mood. Despite these impacts, a 2026 study conducted by Leger found 41 per cent of Canadians still aren’t getting enough sleep.
At Black Sheep Mattress Co., which first opened its doors 15 years ago in Calgary, rest isn’t something that just happens when you check that final item off the to-do list. It’s what makes the rest of your life work.
“Rest is vital to everything we do,” says Black Sheep founder and owner Christian Schmidt. “I think a lot of times we frame rest as something we earn, almost like a reward. But really, it’s necessary in order to do the things that you want to do.”
Productivity at night
While you might think you’re being more productive by staying up later, productivity also happens after you shut out the lights. During sleep, the body initiates a variety of processes that help you function better the next day: muscle recovery, memory consolidation, hormone regulation, nervous system reset and more.
Just like a professional athlete invests in their training equipment, nutrition plan and coaching in order to perform their best in their sport, investing in sleep helps overall day-to-day performance. Building good sleep hygiene habits, curating sleep environments and investing in a quality mattress are just a few ways to accomplish this.
A good mattress for a good night’s sleep
Firmness is often the main thing people consider when shopping for a mattress. A frequently overlooked but crucial feature to look for is breathability and temperature and humidity regulation.
According to a 2012 study published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology, one of the main causes for disturbed sleep is temperature fluctuations, and heat is a common culprit. Mattresses and bedding are often made of synthetic materials, which are not very breathable and can trap body heat throughout the night.
Black Sheep uses natural materials in their mattress construction, like wool, cotton and natural talalay latex, all of which offer better breathability than synthetics, helping you keep your body at its preferred temperature and sleep through the night. Each mattress is handcrafted by Black Sheep’s team at their Calgary workshop.
Starting small
While changing out your mattress is a great step to take into investing in your sleep, Black Sheep acknowledges that there’s so much more to fostering a good night’s rest than just the mattress.
“We look at it holistically,” says Schmidt. “If you’re drinking a pot of coffee before bed… the sleep environment, the temperature of the room, lifestyle and stress all play a really big role.”
Changing so many habits all at once can seem daunting, especially when life feels so busy. Black Sheep invites Calgarians to take small steps — open up the window at night to let in a cool breeze, plug in your phone in another room and stop by its showroom to try out a new mattress.
“Calgarians are hard workers, and there’s lots going on all the time. But it’s important to set aside some time for rest,” says Schmidt.
Start improving your sleep by visiting Black Sheep Mattress Co.’s showroom at 601 Manitou Rd. S.E.
This content was produced for the advertiser by RedPoint Media for commercial purposes. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Avenue staff.