Why So Many Nigerians Are Constantly Tired (Even When They Haven’t Done Much)

 

Why So Many Nigerians Are Constantly Tired (Even When They Haven’t Done Much)


— By The Daily Gist with David


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Why am I always tired?”

You slept 7 hours.

You didn’t go to the gym.

You didn’t do heavy work.


Yet you wake up exhausted.

Mentally drained. Emotionally flat.

You haven’t even started your day — and already, you’re over it.


If this sounds like you, you’re not alone.


Across Nigeria, a wave of deep, silent fatigue is sweeping through students, workers, creatives, hustlers — even teenagers.

It’s not just about poor sleep. It’s not just stress.

This is a different kind of tired. And today, we’re going to unpack it.

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🧠 It’s More Than Physical Tiredness


Let’s get this straight:

There’s tired from activity, and there’s tired from existence.


Nigerians are battling:


  • Economic pressure


  • Family expectations


  • Religious responsibilities


  • Social media comparisons


  • Noisy environments


  • Uncertainty about the future



Even when you rest your body, your mind is still running marathons.


That’s why so many of us feel tired — even if we didn’t “do much.”

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📉 1. The Hustle Culture That Never Stops


In Nigeria, rest feels like guilt.

If you’re not constantly doing something, you feel useless.

And when you are doing something, you feel like it’s still not enough.


You open your phone and see:


  • Someone buying land at 21


  • Someone getting married


  • Someone “relocating to Canada”


And suddenly, you’re tired of your own life.



It’s a trap: The more you try to keep up, the more drained you become.

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💸 2. The Emotional Cost of “Managing


We’re used to “managing”:


  • Managing lack of power supply


  • Managing broken systems


  • Managing relationships


  • Managing transport


  • Managing low funds



We laugh through it.

We adjust.

But the body records every stress, even the “small ones.”


It’s called chronic stress fatigue — the build-up of low-key daily pressure that never fully goes away.

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🌐 3. Information Overload = Mental Exhaustion


We wake up to:


  • WhatsApp messages


  • News of tragedy


  • Twitter arguments


  • TikTok noise


  • Expectations from parents, bosses, and strangers



Your brain is absorbing 10x more information than it’s wired to handle.


You’re not tired because you’re lazy.

You’re tired because you’re overstimulated — and under-supported.

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💔 4. Emotional Labour: The Invisible Weight


Nigerians are taught to “be strong.”

Especially men. Especially firstborns. Especially women juggling school, work, and home.


But constantly bottling emotions, staying strong for everyone, acting like everything is okay — that’s a job on its own.


The emotional weight of pretending to be fine is enough to wear anyone down.

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😴 5. Poor Sleep Habits (Blame the Environment)


Let’s be honest:


  • You fall asleep with your phone


  • Generator noise


  • Lagos traffic memories in your head


  • Brain still thinking of alerts, data subscription, that next move



You “sleep” but don’t rest.


Sleep is not just time — it’s quality.

And many of us aren’t getting it.

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🧾 So What Can You Do? (Real, Not Rubbish Advice)


Let’s be clear: We can’t always control Nigeria.

But we can learn how to protect our mental and emotional energy better.


Here’s how:

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✅ 1. Schedule Quiet Time Daily


Even if it’s just 10 minutes.

No phone. No task. Just sit or walk in silence.

Your brain needs quiet to reset.

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✅ 2. Create a Digital Boundary


  • No phone 30 mins before bed


  • Avoid social media in the first hour after waking


  • Turn off notifications when working



  • Control what enters your mind. You’ll feel lighter.

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✅ 3. Normalize Saying “I’m Tired” Without Guilt


You’re not weak. You’re human.

Rest is not laziness. It’s recovery.

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✅ 4. Talk to Someone


You don’t need to “have it all together.”

Vent to a friend. Journal your emotions.

If possible, speak to a therapist (many offer affordable sessions online).

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✅ 5. Drink Water, Eat Well, Sleep Better


The basics still matter.

A tired body worsens a tired mind.

Hydrate, eat real food, reduce sugar, and aim for better sleep hygiene.

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✅ 6. Do One Thing That Brings You Joy — Every Day


Music. Drawing. Dancing. Writing.

Joy is fuel. Without it, life feels like punishment.

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💬 Final Thoughts from David


This tiredness? It’s real.

It’s valid.

And you’re not imagining it.


We are living in hard, noisy, overwhelming times.

And sometimes, the strongest thing

 you can do… is to rest.


So today, breathe.

Tomorrow, try again.


Because your worth is not measured by how busy you are.

It’s measured by how alive you feel — inside.


Until next time,

This is The Daily Gist with David 🧠💤💼


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