In today’s relentless work culture, where the lines between personal life and professional duty continue to blur, burnout is no longer a problem reserved for top-level executives.
Across Nigeria and globally, young professionals and healthcare workers are increasingly crumbling under the weight of unrealistic expectations, long work hours, and rising financial pressures.
A growing body of evidence shows that burnout, once seen as a badge of hard work, is evolving into a serious public health issue. It is characterised by chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed, often manifesting as exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced professional efficacy.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported alarming data on the scale of the problem. Between January 2020 and April 2022, at least 25 per cent of healthcare workers globally reported symptoms of anxiety, depression, and burnout. These conditions, the organisation noted, stem from staff shortages, low pay, hazardous work environments, and the absence of protective safeguards.
Even more troubling is a WHO and International Labour Organisation (ILO) joint analysis that estimated that long working hours led to 745,000 deaths from stroke and heart disease in 2016 alone, a 29 per cent increase from 2000.
The study further revealed that 398,000 of these deaths were from stroke and 347,000 from heart disease, largely among individuals working at least 55 hours a week. Men were particularly affected.
A 2025 report by Growthalista revealed that 76 per cent of employees now experience burnout at least occasionally, with younger generations and middle managers being the most affected. As hustle culture dominates and financial burdens rise, the mental toll of modern work is becoming unbearable for many.
In Nigeria, these realities are playing out in real time as burnout continues to spread beyond hospital wards into corporate offices and everyday homes. Experts agree that prioritising mental well-being is no longer optional. They insist that for many Nigerians, especially the youth and those on the frontlines of healthcare, it may well be a matter of survival.
Speaking with The Guardian, Consultant Family Physician and Chairman, Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria (SOFPON), Lagos chapter, Dr Sixtus Ozuomba, emphasised the importance of self-care and balance in tackling burnout and maintaining overall well-being.
Ozuomba underscored the sobering reality that life continues with or without any individual, noting that no one can singlehandedly solve every problem. While advocating for making meaningful impacts in the lives of others, he stressed the importance of knowing one’s limits and being realistic about what can be achieved.
He highlighted the dangers of overextending oneself without seeking help, which could gradually erode both physical and mental health. Drawing from his experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said it became increasingly clear that healthcare workers and people in general need to prioritise their well-being to serve others effectively. Neglecting mental health, he warned, leads to distorted perception, impaired concentration, and poor decision-making, all of which can negatively impact not only the individual but also their families and communities.
The consultant also warned about the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle, likening prolonged sitting to the risks associated with smoking.
He advised regular movements, even as simple as standing up and walking, instead of sending someone on an errand, is beneficial to the heart and general health. Incorporating humour, relaxation, and exercise into daily life were also recommended as an effective way to enhance both physical and mental well-being.
In terms of nutrition, he encouraged practical, affordable choices such as eating in-season fruits and maintaining a balanced diet, debunking the notion that healthy eating must be expensive.
He linked self-love to broader social responsibility, pointing out that a person who does not care for themselves could inadvertently become a burden to society.
Ozuomba called for a more intentional and informed approach to health through prioritisation of realistic goals, regular exercise, good nutrition, and mental wellness. He advocated for a shift in mindset through small, consistent actions that, collectively, create broader change.
Similarly, the Director of Training and Consultant at R-Jolad Hospital, Dr Blessing Chukwukelu, said many people across the world, including in Nigeria, are struggling to cope with mounting pressures.
She explained that the current socioeconomic climate had significantly impacted mental well-being and noted that the inability to maintain mental stability could hinder people’s ability to function effectively in their homes, workplaces, and communities.
According to her, mental health conditions such as stress, depression, and anxiety were becoming increasingly common, yet often remained undiagnosed until they escalated into tragic events like suicide.
Chukwukelu also acknowledged that healthcare professionals themselves were not immune to burnout, describing the burden of managing diverse and complex patient cases as both mentally and physically demanding. She emphasised the need for doctors to be mentally resilient to provide effective care and urged them to also access and manage their stress levels.
She called for greater public awareness and community responsibility in identifying signs of emotional strain in others. Chukwukelu said behavioural changes such as withdrawal, silence, or refusal to eat should not be ignored or dismissed and urged Nigerians to be more intentional about their mental health, advising individuals to routinely evaluate their stress levels and seek professional help when overwhelmed.
MEANWHILE, a recent study published in the BMJ Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine has raised fresh concerns about the toll of long working hours—this time, not just on physical and mental health, but on the brain’s structure.
The study, conducted by researchers from Chung-Ang University and Yonsei University in South Korea, revealed what they described as “significant changes” in the brains of individuals classified as overworked.
According to the scientists, these changes are the result of a combination of physical and emotional overexertion, compounded by a lack of adequate rest. The study involved 110 healthcare workers who were divided into two groups: those working standard hours and those working 52 hours or more per week. The overworked group, comprising 32 participants, was found to be generally younger, more highly educated, and with less time in employment compared to their counterparts.
Using advanced neuroimaging techniques and MRI scan comparisons from existing datasets, the team was able to examine and quantify brain volume in different regions. Through atlas-based analysis, they identified and labelled specific brain structures that appeared to be affected by prolonged work hours.
“People who worked 52 or more hours a week displayed significant changes in brain regions associated with executive function and emotional regulation, unlike participants who worked standard hours,” the research reported.
Among the regions showing an increase in volume were the middle frontal gyrus, which supports cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and language and the insula, a region involved in emotional processing, self-awareness, and understanding social context.
The study’s authors suggested that these brain alterations may offer a biological explanation for the cognitive and emotional difficulties often reported by individuals in high-demand jobs. “Our findings point to a potential relationship between an increased workload and structural changes in the brain,” they noted, adding that the results could provide vital insight into the neurological impact of chronic overwork.
While the researchers stopped short of establishing a direct causal link, they stressed the need for further investigation into how long working hours might impair emotional well-being and decision-making capabilities over time.
