Popular stand-up comedian Zakir Khan created history by becoming the first Indian to perform at New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden. After an intense year of back-to-back tours, he has now shared a major update, one that has left many of his fans concerned. The 38-year-old took to Instagram and posted a story titled ‘The Health Update’ explaining his major decision before taking a break from the stage.
Khan revealed that his intense schedule has a negative impact on his health and revealed that he has been unwell for over a year. “…kept working because it felt necessary at the time,” he wrote in Hindi. He also revealed that he had been touring for the past 10 years, but “2-3 shows in a day, sleepless nights, early morning flights, and no timetable for meals” came with it.
‘Thoda break lena padega shayad [I might need to take a break]’
Expressing his love for his art, Khan remarked that it might be time to take a break. Reluctantly, he noted, he had been wanting to take a break for a year anyway. Emphasising the brevity of the matter, Khan even said that he is taking this step before things get worse for him and his health.
Choosing health over hustle, Zakir Khan will commence his India tour in October, but will only keep a limited cities in the schedule. As he begins performing his set, ‘Papa Yaar’, he will be coming to Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Kolkata from October 2025 to January 2026.
How can this lifestyle impact your health?
Several founders, entrepreneurs, and even billionaires are promoting intense work schedules and valuing hustle over having a work-life balance. However, an overworked individual is likely dealing with high levels of stress. It not only impacts one’s mental health, but also can have a detrimental impact on physical health.
Chronic overwork raises the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and fatigue. It can trigger high blood pressure, weakened immunity, and increase the overall risk to health. An overworked individual, no matter the social gratification of the job, they are likely to face anxiety, burnout, poor focus, and emotional exhaustion over time. Neglecting these minor symptoms during the grind, without a proper unwinding routine, be it working out or eating right, can increase the risk of chronic diseases, as per a Healthline report.
Those with a genetic tendency are more than likely to go through hypertension, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and overall poor immunity, as per a Cambridge study.
