In a hyper-capitalist world that often pushes and encourages grind culture, choosing rest can be a radical choice. This seemingly simple act becomes a quiet rebellion against the relentless demands of constant productivity.
The culture of work and productivity has shifted radically over the past couple of years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our largely collective experience of working from home changed many things, effectively altering the way we work. Productivity skyrocketed, with many employees finding that they were more productive when working with the freedom of their own home. However, the flipside of that is a culture of toxic productivity, with people expected to be available for work at all times — including unsociable hours.
Now, I’m all for working late hours if the need arises — I’ve stayed up until 1 am working on reports myself sometimes. Everyone who has a job, especially a demanding one, knows that there are high-pressure times when you simply have to sacrifice some hours of shut-eye and put in the work. However, I’m also a major advocate of sleep and rest. While “rest” encompasses various forms of rejuvenation, for the purpose of this article, we’re focusing on the critical role of sleep.
The undeniable science of beauty sleep
“Beauty sleep” as a concept has existed for aeons, and it’s not just a concept. It’s a simple fact, backed by science. Numerous studies demonstrate that sleep is profoundly refreshing, not just for our minds, enhancing cognitive function and emotional regulation, but also for our physical bodies, aiding in cellular repair and regeneration. On the flip side, a chronic lack of sleep can visibly affect our skin, especially the delicate areas around the eyes and mouth, leading to droopy eyelids, persistent dark circles, and the premature appearance of fine lines.
More than skin deep: The profound health implications of sleep deprivation
The impact of insufficient sleep extends far beyond superficial aesthetic concerns. It has been definitively linked to a wide range of serious health issues, including elevated blood pressure, increased risk of heart disease, kidney dysfunction, the development of type 2 diabetes, a higher likelihood of stroke, weight gain and obesity, and a greater susceptibility to mental health conditions like depression. Therefore, prioritising rest is not merely about looking good; it is a fundamental pillar of overall health and well-being, and should not be considered a negotiable aspect of our lives.
Less than optimal physical health is not the only implication of lack of sleep. According to a Columbia psychologist, poor sleep can cause cognitive impairment and make it more difficult to manage stress. Essentially, not getting enough sleep will not only ruin your skin, it will make you more irritable, prone to mistakes, unable to regulate your emotions.
The radical choice: prioritising rest in a productive world
Prioritising rest in a hyper-capitalist world where relentless productivity is often lauded and downtime viewed as laziness or a luxury can indeed be a radical act of self-preservation.
However, it’s also an inherently intelligent choice, as a well-rested mind and body invariably leads to sustained and effective productivity. The notion of consistently depriving oneself of essential rest in the pursuit of greater output is ultimately counterproductive and unsustainable in the long run.
Rest is not limited to sleep; sometimes it looks like a slow, intentional beauty or skincare routine, a day spent with friends, or a solo day at the spa. The main idea is to unplug and decompress.
The gendered politics of rest: unburdening women
This issue takes on a particular resonance for women, who are frequently expected to shoulder a disproportionate share of domestic responsibilities alongside their professional lives. In this context, making a conscious and unapologetic commitment to rest transcends mere self-care; it becomes a powerful act of challenging ingrained societal expectations and reclaiming personal time and energy.
Like many important statistics, research about the sleep habits of adults is decidedly missing for the Nigerian population. There’s research on the sleep patterns and habits of medical students in Nigeria and across Africa, but none for the larger population. However, given the sheer amount of the working population made up of women, (80.8%, according to the World Bank Gender Data Portal), it’s safe to say that women spend most of their time working; either on their careers, families or on domestic labour. There’s an added layer to the kind of domestic labour women are expected to do. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), women perform over 76% of unpaid health care labour.
Women are slowly breaking free
I often reflect on the paradoxical demands placed upon women by patriarchal structures. We are expected to be endlessly available and supportive to partners, families, and children, often at the expense of our own needs, while simultaneously facing relentless pressure to maintain an ideal aesthetic. The unspoken demand to be both tireless caregivers and perpetually presentable creates an unsustainable burden. The long-term consequences and effects of women disproportionately carrying domestic responsibilities are far-reaching and dire. Sleep deprivation or poor sleeping habits often affect job performance, sometimes causing long-term damage to careers.
Therefore, it brings me immense satisfaction to witness more and more women actively pushing back against these stifling gendered expectations, refusing to silently bear the weight of endless domestic labour, professional demands, and the need for self-care.
As a single woman in her early thirties, without the immediate demands of childcare, I have consciously structured my life to prioritise rest, ensuring a healthy balance with my commitments without sacrificing my inner peace. This is a balance I wholeheartedly wish for more women to achieve, and I eagerly anticipate a future where the radical act of prioritising sleep, self-care, and rest is celebrated rather than overshadowed by the often-toxic glorification of relentless productivity.
