Academic and career pressure is one of the greatest causes of increased stress and anxiety in Gen Z. There is always pressure among many youths to deliver in school, get good-paying jobs and establish successful careers early in life. The anxiety of the future, the fear of failure and competition may cause chronic stress and anxiety. In comparison to older generations, Gen Z also has a higher level of awareness of the problems of the world around them, like climate change, economic instability, and the uncertainty in the labour market, contributing to their stress levels.
Expert take on why stress, anxiety and burnout are becoming more common among GenZs?
Dr. Abhinit Kumar, Senior Consultant, Psychiatry, ShardaCare-Healthcity reveals, " The present generation is under its own pressure, including in academic performance and career choice, as well as economic pressure, social comparison, and pressure from digital media at all times. Although it brings about a feeling of connection, social media also places unrealistic expectations and results in the feeling that one is never good enough or never good enough, and that leads to increased self-doubt and emotional exhaustion. Meanwhile, the lines between work, study, rest and personal life have become more and more unclear, and there is not much possibility to recover. It is also a good thing that many young people are more familiar with mental health than their foremothers, and this is not causing a decline in the stress burden, but only raising awareness."
Anxiety and burnout
Another significant influencer of the anxiety and burnout of Gen Z is social media they provide an environment of comparison, in which young people are always in a competition to compare their appearance, their way of life, and their achievements with others. This may cause low self-esteem, body image, as well as inadequacy. The constant demands to look good and be productive may prove to be a mentally draining factor that results in burnout in the long run.
Lack of work life balance
Digital overload and lack of work-life balance is also another crucial reason. Gen Z spend a considerable time on the internet to study, work and socialize.
Continuous exposure to screen
This continued exposure to the screen may influence sleep, decrease activities and cause loneliness and isolation. Sleep disorders and sleep deprivation have a close association with anxiety and mood disorders.
Economic crisis
The economic crisis is also significantly contributing to the mental health crisis among Gen Z. The need to cover increased education costs, high-priced housing, and job insecurity problem is making young people feel unsafe. It is also true that many Gen Zs are feeling burned out due to the fact that they are attempting to juggle studies, part-time employment and their personal lives simultaneously.
Generation Gen Z is more open to mental health
- But a good shift is that Gen Z is more open to mental health than their generational counterparts.
- They are less afraid to discuss anxiety, depression, and burnout, and are finding therapy, self-care practices, and more effective coping strategies.
- This kind of mindset is contributing to the fact that the stigma around mental health is being reduced, but it also shows the extent of how common the issue has become.
- In order to cope with stress and anxiety, professionals suggest some easy lifestyle behavioural adjustments, which include regular workouts, getting enough sleep, restricting social media use, mindfulness, and sharing with someone how you feel.
- Even simple actions such as adding routine, outdoor activities, and digital pauses can help significantly in mental health.
Overall, Gen Z is increasingly under stress, anxious, and burning out because of academic pressure, social media comparisons, financial strain, and digital bombardment. Although the crisis in mental health is a severe problem, with the help of awareness and open conversations, as well as healthy coping mechanisms, Gen Z can handle stress and improve their mental health.
