Work Without Rest Puts Health at Risk, Psychologist Warns
The Medical Director and Clinical Psychologist at the UPSA Clinic, Dr. Isaac Newman Arthur, has cautioned that prolonged work without adequate rest could drive many people into chronic stress, with serious consequences for both physical and mental health.
In recent years, growing concerns about workplace burnout and declining wellbeing have brought renewed attention to the importance of rest in sustaining productivity. Across many sectors in Ghana, long working hours, tight deadlines and economic pressures have contributed to rising stress levels, particularly among professionals in urban centres such as Accra.
Speaking on Business Breakfast on Zed 101.9FM, Dr. Arthur said although the human body is built to handle pressure, it has clear limits that must be respected.
He explained that the brain plays a central role in regulating how the body responds to daily activities and stressful situations, coordinating internal systems to ensure effective functioning.
According to him, when individuals engage in demanding tasks, the body activates the sympathetic nervous system, releasing chemicals such as adrenaline, norepinephrine and cortisol to support performance.
“These chemicals are not harmful in themselves. They are useful and necessary for productivity,” he said.
Dr. Arthur, however, emphasised that the effects of stress depend on how intense it is and how long it lasts, noting that they help regulate heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, digestion, immunity and blood sugar levels.
He described eustress as a normal and manageable level of pressure that supports everyday functioning. Acute stress, he said, occurs over short periods, such as when individuals work under tight deadlines for a few days.
He added that episodic stress comes and goes, with individuals experiencing repeated but short bursts of pressure over time.
The most worrying form, he noted, is chronic stress, which persists over long periods and often becomes part of a person’s daily routine.
He warned that when stress becomes continuous, the body’s natural coping mechanisms can be overwhelmed, increasing the risk of long term health complications. Dr. Arthur urged individuals and organisations to make rest and recovery a priority, stressing that sustained productivity depends not only on effort but also on allowing the body enough time to reset.
