How relaxation therapy can help Nigeria’s stressed workforce

Nigeria faces a growing challenge: an overburdened and stressed workforce. A 2025 study says nearly 50% of workers in the country experience chronic stress, leading to decreased productivity, mental health issues, and even physical ailments.

The Gallup State of the Global Workplace Report, which examines how employees feel about their work and lives, revealed that worker stress remained at a historic high, with Nigeria as the sixth Sub-Saharan African country with the most stressed employees.

This figure continues to rise by 3 per cent annually, with the economic pressures, long commutes, and high-stakes work environments not helping matters. However, one powerful, yet underutilised solution to this crisis is what in the wellness industry we call relaxation therapy.

What is relaxation therapy?

Relaxation therapy encompasses a range of techniques and practices designed to reduce stress, promote mental clarity, and improve overall well-being. Relaxation therapies such as massage and aromatherapy have been scientifically proven to improve one’s well-being; something that a workforce under constant pressure can benefit from.

The costs of workplace stress

Workplace stress doesn’t just affect a company’s employees; it impacts organisations and their host country’s economy. Stressed employees are more likely to experience burnout, leading to increased absenteeism and high employee turnover rates.

A report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) says workplace stress costs businesses billions annually in lost productivity and healthcare expenses. This additional burden can’t be ignored in Nigeria, where the economy is already grappling with various challenges.

Furthermore, stress negatively impacts creativity, decision-making, and interpersonal relationships – qualities essential for a thriving workforce. In key sectors where precision and innovation are crucial, the consequences of stress can be particularly damaging.

How relaxation therapy can help

Improved productivity: Studies have shown that employees who engage in regular relaxation practices are more focused, energized, and productive. Simple interventions, such as weekly or monthly massage sessions, can significantly boost morale and efficiency.

Enhanced mental health: There are relaxation therapies that help combat anxiety and depression, two common byproducts of chronic stress. They have been shown to rewire the brain’s response to stress, fostering resilience and emotional stability.

Reduced healthcare costs: By mitigating stress-related illnesses such as hypertension, migraines, and gastrointestinal issues, relaxation therapies like massage and aromatherapy can lower healthcare expenses for both employers and employees.

Better work-life balance: Incorporating relaxation techniques into their healthcare routines can help employees achieve a healthier balance between their professional and personal lives, leading to greater job satisfaction and overall well-being and happiness.

A call to action for employers and policymakers

To address Nigeria’s workforce stress crisis, employers and policymakers must take proactive steps to integrate relaxation therapy into workplace wellness programs.

For example, employers should mandate relaxation therapy like massages for employees as part of their health insurance scheme; designate relaxation areas where employees can take short breaks to unwind and recharge; and allow remote work or flexible schedules to reduce commute stress and give employees more time to focus on their well-being.

Policymakers on the other hand should create a culture that values well-being alongside productivity by including relaxation therapy as part of a broader national healthcare routine.

The time to act is now

Relaxation therapy offers a practical and effective solution to the mounting stress that threatens individual success and Nigeria’s economic growth. By embracing these practices, Nigeria will be making the well-being of its workforce a top priority, and building a healthier, happier, and more resilient workforce, ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of 2025 and beyond.

It’s time to take relaxation therapy seriously for the sake of Nigerians and our country’s future.

Adebagbo is the CEO and Director of Beth Beauty Medical Spa in Lagos.