One of the nice mechanics in DOS2 is the exclamation trigger when something important needs to be discussed between characters (I haven't played BG3 since #6 dropped and I don't remember if this happens now). I'd like to see that kind of mechanic brought in to solve the resting issue you've brought up here. When the game needs you to rest to advance the plot one of the characters pops a "!" and when you dialogue they say something like "Hey we need to discuss something at our next camp".
Also D&D5th has an exhaustion mechanic that could be tailored to "force" long rests to make sure players rest more often which could solve the problem as well.
