Rest can’t wait: How constant hustle is breaking young Nigerians 

By Olayimika Raimi 

In Nigeria today, exhaustion has become a badge of honour. From early morning commutes in gridlocked traffic to late-night deadlines under dim lights, millions of Nigerians move through each day on fumes.

Workers chase targets, students juggle lectures and side hustles, parents stretch themselves thin trying to provide, and somewhere in between, rest is quietly pushed aside.

It is no longer unusual to hear phrases like, “I will rest when I make it,” or even more striking, “No rest for me in this world, maybe in the next.” What once sounded like determination has now become a dangerous norm; a culture where being constantly busy is mistaken for being successful.

But beneath the surface of this relentless hustle lies a growing health crisis. According to the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization, long working hours are linked to hundreds of thousands of deaths globally each year, particularly from stroke and heart disease.

Their findings reveal that people who consistently work 55 hours or more per week significantly increase their risk of life-threatening conditions. This is not just about being tired. It is about what happens to the body when it is denied recovery.

Health experts explain that prolonged periods of work without adequate rest place the body under constant stress. Blood pressure rises, the heart works harder than it should, and the immune system weakens.

Over time, this can lead to chronic illnesses, mental burnout, anxiety, and sleep disorders. The damage is often silent, building slowly until it manifests in serious health complications.

For students, it may appear as constant fatigue and reduced concentration. For workers, it may show up as frequent headaches, irritability, or declining productivity. For parents, it may mean running on empty while trying to meet endless responsibilities. In all cases, the message is the same, the body is being pushed beyond its limits.

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Health officials have repeatedly described this trend as a “wake-up call,” urging individuals and governments to take rest seriously, not as a reward, but as a necessity.

The human body was not designed for endless output without pause. Just as machines overheat when overused, the body begins to break down when rest is neglected.

A lot of things can be done to curb this. Experts recommend simple but intentional changes. Getting at least seven to eight hours of sleep regularly is essential. Taking short breaks during the day, even for a few minutes, helps the body reset. Reducing excessively long working hours where possible, staying physically active, and maintaining a balanced diet all contribute to overall well-being.

Equally important is a shift in mindset. Rest should not be seen as laziness or weakness. It is not a sign that one is falling behind. On the contrary, it is what allows the body and mind to function effectively in the long run.

In a society that constantly demands more, choosing to rest may feel uncomfortable. But it is necessary. Because the truth is simple and often ignored, when the body finally demands rest, it does not ask politely. It forces it.

And sometimes, by then, it is too late. Rest is not a luxury reserved for the privileged. It is a basic human need. To ignore it is to gamble with one’s health, productivity, and ultimately, life itself. In the end, the real power of rest lies not just in stopping, but in surviving.