A recent survey by Australian health insurance comparison service iSelect has shed light on the morning habits of Canadians, revealing that drinking coffee is more common than brushing teeth in the first hour after waking. The survey of over 1,000 Canadians found that 43% reach for coffee first, compared to 42% who brush their teeth. Most Canadians (13%) wake up at 6 a.m. or 7 a.m., with 11% rising at 6:30 a.m. and 10% at 8 a.m.
Key findings on wake-up times
The survey indicates that men are more likely than women to wake up at 5:30 a.m. (10% vs. 6%). Those aged 45-54 are most likely to rise at 4:30 a.m. (8%). Among younger adults, 16% of those aged 25-34 wake at 6 a.m., while 15% of 55-64-year-olds do the same. Only 18-24-year-olds are likely to sleep in until 11 a.m.
When it comes to waking methods, 47% of Canadians wake up naturally without an alarm, while 40% use a standard alarm. Six percent use a smart alarm, 4% are woken by children or pets, and 3% by other household members. Age plays a significant role: only 31% of 25-34-year-olds wake naturally, compared to 63% of 55-64-year-olds and 77% of those 65 and over. Alarm use is highest among 35-44-year-olds (50%) and lowest among those over 65 (16%).
Morning habits: coffee, breakfast, and more
After coffee and tooth brushing, other common morning habits include drinking water (37%), eating breakfast (36%), checking phones (29%), showering and making the bed (26% each), and taking vitamins or medication (25%). Coffee consumption varies by age: only 22% of 18-24-year-olds and 30% of 25-34-year-olds drink coffee within the first hour, compared to 55% of 55-64-year-olds and 65% of those 65 and over.
Breakfast is a daily priority for 45% of Canadians, while 22% eat it most days. Among 18-24-year-olds, 34% eat breakfast daily, compared to 59% of those 65 and over.
Comparison with American and Australian routines
The survey also compared habits across countries. In the United States, 16% of respondents wake at 6 a.m., with 11% rising at 5:30 a.m. and 7 a.m. Half of Americans wake naturally, while 37% use an alarm. Coffee and tooth brushing tie at 44% each as top morning activities, followed by drinking water (36%) and eating breakfast (35%). Breakfast is eaten daily by 44% of Americans, with 25% eating it most mornings.
In Australia, 16% wake at 6 a.m. and 7 a.m., but regional differences exist: 28% of Tasmanians and 33% of Northern Territorians rise at 6:30 a.m. Almost half of Australians (49.61%) wake naturally. Unlike Canadians and Americans, Australians prioritize brushing teeth (44%) over coffee (39%) first thing. Breakfast is eaten by 41%, followed by drinking water (33%), checking phones (31%), making the bed (30%), and showering (28%).
“Our research shows that while morning routines differ across Australia, the United States and Canada, many people share the same challenge of turning good intentions into consistent habits,” said Andres Gutierrez, general manager – Health at iSelect, in a news release.
