Lagos lifestyle affecting sleep patterns, increasing health risks

As Nigeria’s economy wobbles, many Nigerians are finding it difficult to have enough sleep due to the economic hardship and daily struggle to eke a living, writes FELICITAS OFFORJAMAH.

Raymond Nwachukwu, a civil servant who lives in the Ijaiye area of Lagos State and commutes over many kilometers to and from work in Lekki, claims that his biggest problem is getting sleep.

“There are occasions when I get home at midnight and wake up and ready to go to work by 4:00a.m,” he said. Nwachukwu and others like him find it difficult to get enough sleep at night. Because of this, a lot of Lagosians appear hostile and always in the mood to burst into anger over little issues; some are even found dozing off in their cars, and many of them are lethargic at work. Moreover, sleep deprivation may contribute to the exhaustive appearance of many city dwellers.

Lagos was recently ranked as the city with the worst traffic in the world according to the global traffic index report, Nunbeo 2024. Regretfully, a lot of Lagos residents claim that their difficult living circumstances make getting a good night’s sleep a low priority, which has left them open to various health issues.

The Guardian visited Oshodi under bridge, where no fewer than a hundred physically fit youth shared what they called a bedroom, which acts as their home. Every day after work, they retire there for the night’s rest.

While some of them are still asleep by 5:30 am, others are awake and ready to carry on with Lagos’ customary hustling and bustle. Speaking to one of them, who was awake, he explained that circumstances made him sacrifice sleep for survival. “Country is hard and it is worse in Lagos,” he said, explaining why he and the others decided to sleep outside. Houses cost a lot of money. We hardly have enough money saved to pay for food, much less pay hundreds of naira for rent.

“In this Oshodi, people do business till late after midnight, to have a place to sleep, those of us who sleep here wait until most businesses have closed. We occasionally go to bed at 3am or 4am. Depending on when there is space, it might happen sooner or later. Thus, we may end up sleeping for two or three hours. Whenever it rains a lot, everything gets so wet that many of us can’t sleep at all.”

The Guardian investigation revealed that numerous persons were sleeping by the side of the road when nature called. For them, this was their only opportunity to sleep for the whole day. While it was also observed that sleeping outside is a common occurrence in Lagos, the harsh economy has made it more common or worse in recent years.

In addition to those who sleep beneath bridges, it is said that the economic downturn has compelled many employees, especially public servants, to spend the night in their offices to save money. These office workers are unable to get to sleep for a few hours until late at night. Even those who can afford to rent a home admit that they rarely get a full night’s sleep due to the stress of getting up early for work and sitting in traffic for hours on end because of Lagos’s infamous gridlock.

Shittu, a keke driver, had slept on the wheels while driving his passengers towards the Agege axis. A hardworking driver who worked from 4am to 11pm slept for barely three hours every day. His unexpected collapse made his tricycle run into another vehicle but luckily, he and the passengers survived.

Shittu told The Guardian at the hospital after he was resuscitated and diagnosed with a sleep disorder, that the economy has been tough on him and that’s why he worked extra hours. “I know do not rest very well but what am I to do? N1000 doesn’t make sense again. I have five children and a wife, and it is money that keeps them.”

Responding to how he intends to change his sleep pattern for better health, the driver said that he would still work hard during the week but would rest more during the weekends so he could gradually adopt a healthy lifestyle. “I will try but it will be very difficult. If a man just wants to take a break, money disappears. Do you know how much food is? Sometimes all those ‘agberos’ on the road, will collect the little profit you have made for the day. It’s not easy at all.”

Dorothy Arugbe was another victim. After bringing her children back from school, she became motionless. Her children shouted for neighbours to help before she was taken to a hospital. Dorothy told The Guardian that this scenario has played so many times.

“I noticed that it occurs more often, especially since the beginning of this year. I already knew it was sleep deprivation before the doctor told me. I find it very hard to sleep, probably due to anxiety and worry.”
Before I think of what my children will eat tomorrow and the work that I haven’t done for my oga or even the snacks that I will sell at work for little income and meeting traffic at the end of the day. It’s overwhelming, I know sleeping well is important, but we must survive too.”

Jubilee Orosa, a senior secondary school student who refused to be identified with her school, said that she lived far from her institution of learning. “I could not concentrate in class. I always want to sleep. My teachers insult me and sometimes punish me when I’m caught but they don’t understand what I’m going through.

“I help my mum to do lots of things so the family can survive. I go to the farm to harvest fruits and vegetables before going to class, sell before 8:00 am and I still sell after school till 9:00 pm. By the time, we bump into traffic, and I finish cleaning the whole house, it is 11:00 pm.

“I have begged my parent to take me to a school near our house, but she insists that she can’t afford the fees. It wasn’t until I fell into a dream-like state for days that I was duly attended to. A teacher took me to her home and started taking care of me.” Orosa said that her teacher ensures she sleeps for not less than eight hours a day.

For experts, these are a bit of extreme cases. However, the usually ignored consequences of sleep deprivation are depression, high blood pressure, stroke, obesity, poor memory or memory loss, kidney diseases, low productivity and heart diseases amongst many other results.

Since 2008, the World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM) has raised public awareness of the negative effects of sleep disorders on health, education, and society, as well as highlighting the many advantages of getting enough sleep.

The association has made efforts to support the management and prevention of sleep problems but measurable differences in sleep health persist across populations, especially in Nigeria, creating additional burdens and reinforcing health inequities.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke said: “Sleep is an important part of your daily routine-you spend about one-third of your time doing it. For the renowned institute, quality sleep – and getting enough of it at the right times – is as essential to survival as food and water. Without sleep, you can’t form or maintain the pathways in your brain that let you learn and create new memories, and it’s harder to concentrate and respond quickly.”

According to a sleep expert and Chief Medical Director, Lagos Executive Cardiovascular Centre, Dr Folasade Alli, the economic downturn in Nigeria undoubtedly has a significant impact on personal lives.

Alli said that financial worries, job insecurity, and increased stress levels are common at times like this, all of which can contribute to disrupted sleep patterns. She also stated that when individuals are preoccupied with financial concerns, they may experience heightened levels of anxiety and worry, making it difficult to relax and fall asleep.

Additionally, the uncertainty surrounding the economy can lead to increased levels of stress, which in turn can disrupt sleep quality and duration. She said that many people may find themselves working longer hours or taking on multiple jobs to make ends meet, resulting in irregular sleep schedules and inadequate rest. Moreover, economic hardships may limit access to healthcare services, including those related to sleep disorders, exacerbating existing sleep issues.

“Lack of sleep can have profound effects on both physical and mental health, with significant implications for overall quality of life. From a neurological perspective, insufficient sleep has been linked to cognitive impairment, memory problems, and decreased concentration and alertness.

“Chronic sleep deprivation can impair judgment, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities, affecting performance at work or school. Furthermore, inadequate sleep has been associated with an increased risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia later in life. In addition to cognitive effects, insufficient sleep can also impact emotional well-being, leading to irritability, mood swings, and heightened stress levels.

“Moreover, chronic sleep deprivation is a chronic state of stress which is associated with increased stress hormones like cortisol, noradrenaline, adrenaline and other vasoconstricting cytokines and interleukins with increased tissue oxidative activity. All these have been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and complications, diabetes, obesity, and immune system dysfunction, further underscoring the importance of prioritizing sleep for overall health and well-being,” she said.

The doctor suggested that adopting a healthy lifestyle is essential for preventing sleep disorders and promoting good sleep hygiene. “Some key lifestyle modifications that Nigerians can incorporate include; establishing a regular sleep schedule, which means going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, even on weekends, to help regulate the body’s internal clock and promote better sleep quality; creating a relaxing bedtime routine, which involves engaging in calming activities such as reading, meditating, or taking a warm bath before bedtime which can signal to the body that it’s time to wind down and prepare for sleep.

Also, creating a conducive sleep environment, like ensuring that the bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool can facilitate better sleep. Also, investing in a comfortable mattress and pillows and minimizing noise and distractions can improve sleep quality.

Alli said the blue light emitted by electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computers can disrupt the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. “Limiting screen time before bedtime and using blue light filters or night mode settings can help mitigate this effect. Avoiding stimulants and heavy meals before bedtime: Consuming caffeine, nicotine, or large meals close to bedtime can interfere with sleep onset and disrupt sleep patterns.”

The medical director added that engaging in regular physical activity like regular exercise has been shown to improve sleep quality and duration. She stated that however, it’s important to avoid vigorous exercise close to bedtime, as it can have a stimulating effect and make it harder to fall asleep.

Alli said that for individuals experiencing sleep disorders, seeking professional medical advice is essential for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment and that depending on the specific sleep disorder and underlying causes, treatment options may vary.

The treatment options include behavioral therapy, Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, and lifestyle modifications. “It’s important for individuals experiencing sleep disorders to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the most appropriate treatment approach based on their specific symptoms, medical history, and individual needs. Lagos Executive Cardiovascular Centre has a state-of-the-art sleep lab with the purpose of diagnosing and treating sleep disorders.”

On the awareness of the importance of sleep, the expert stated that there is still a need for greater awareness and education about sleep health in Nigeria. She said that many Nigerians may underestimate the significance of sleep and overlook the detrimental effects of chronic sleep deprivation on overall health and well-being. “Public education campaigns, healthcare provider training, workplace wellness programmes, and community engagement are all part of the ways we can improve awareness of sleep health and promote healthy sleep habits to Nigerians.”