‘I’ve been unwell for over a year…’: As comedian Zakir Khan cuts back on touring to prioritise health, an expert shares critical signs signalling need for rest

Although he will still complete his Papa Yaar India tour, the scale will be much smaller. “This time, we’ll be touring a limited number of cities. I won’t be adding more shows, and after completing this special record, I’ve been advised to take a long break,” he explained. 

Khan’s update highlights a larger issue that many people, regardless of profession, face today: continuing to work despite being unwell, often at the cost of long-term health. 

Why do so many people choose to ignore health concerns and keep working, and what are the risks of doing this in the long run?

Gurleen Baruah, organisational psychologist at That Culture Thing, tells indianexpress.com, “For many, work is tied to identity and meaning, not just livelihood. People often describe being ‘in flow,’ and it’s natural to want more of it. Add to that the external rewards of money, fame, or belonging, and it becomes hard to slow down.” 

But psychologically, she notes, this can slip into the hedonic treadmill: chasing achievement without ever reaching a lasting sense of enough. On a deeper level, there’s also an existential dread — if I stop, will I still matter? The risks could be severe, such as chronic stress, burnout, and health breakdowns that may force the very pause one was trying to avoid.

Recognising the signs that their body or mind is signalling for rest before it reaches a critical stage

Baruah states, “The warning signs usually show up across three levels—biological, psychological, and social. Biologically, symptoms may include persistent fatigue, poor sleep quality, repeated illness, or lifestyle issues such as fluctuating blood pressure, cholesterol concerns, or heart health problems, along with sudden changes in appetite. Psychologically: emotional exhaustion, irritability, reduced concentration, or a loss of joy in activities that once felt energising. Socially, this may manifest as withdrawing from friends, struggling with empathy, or detaching from close relationships. These are classic indicators of burnout. Regular medical check-ups and honest self-reflection help catch these signals before they escalate.”

Zakir Khan shared a post on Instagram (Source: Instagram/Zakir Khan)

For individuals who cannot completely stop working, what strategies can be used to scale back or manage responsibilities without compromising their health?

Scaling back is possible without stepping away entirely by shifting from a performance mindset to a sustainability mindset. Practically, this could look like fewer projects at a time, shorter work cycles, or delegating more.

“Recovery needs to be scheduled with the same seriousness as deadlines: exercise, sleep, and downtime are not luxuries but part of the system. One can also reduce ‘cognitive load’ by setting clearer priorities instead of trying to do everything at once. Even small steps such as limiting late nights, reducing travel, or introducing protected personal time help create healthier rhythms,” concludes Baruah.