Burnout is on the Rise Worldwide - Why Gen Z, Young Millennials and Women are the Most Stressed

Crawling out of bed after mere hours of sputtering sleep, thrown into a blazing day of work and responsibilities, feeling a sense of impending doom, deep inadequacy, and often, post exhaustion burnout.

It's 2020, yet this experience of pressure, leading to the intense fatigue known as Burnout, is an anthem for millions of people around the world, particularly among younger generations. A recent study published in The Lancet Health Journal concluded that burnout is becoming increasing prevalent among the modern workforce. It's been shown to disproportionately affect women and those under thirty.

Sadly, the tensions that accost each day are within the norm. Gen Z, young millennials, and women bear a greater burden of stress in the face of curtailed job security, growing costs of living and life, and higher expectations of performance in most pursuits.

It's understandable why stress is at an all-time high; given what we're exposed to on a daily basis. Social media, unforgiving standards of beauty, a rapid paced world, virtual multitasking, and a deluge of both discouraging news and aspirational lifestyle propaganda. No wonder why a single mundane act might seem overwhelming.

Those under thirty in particular struggle with the sense of 'stuckness' that makes modern life that much harder. Being mobbed in career limbo, failing to check milestones off the list, and being sandwiched between the pressures of personal priority and family responsibility. That’s just to name a few stressors as education and finances remain two top sources of anxiety for the masses.

Compounding all the pressures of societal participation is situations like pandemics and climate crisis, which are out of our hands. Even progress seems to bring more stress with it as anxiety has become part and parcel to a successful career and meaningful achievement.

Are millennials and Gen Z unfairly targeted by external forces such stress? Or is some of the fault ours? Sure, quick changing trends, rapid tech advancement, and an ever-increasing cost of living have beckoned a new age of stress. But that doesn't mean it's impossible to manage this heightened level of strain or to work towards healthier and more sustainable relationships to address it.

The tricky thing about stressors is they all look the same. Discouragement, mental pressure, concern or fear all fit the same bill, leaving us unable to tell the difference between irrational anxieties and authentic, high-stakes issues.

So yes, stress is on the rise worldwide. Our responsibility—and privilege—is to dig through the mass of uncertainties and discern what necessary actions and conversations may need to be had without succumbing to the whirlwind of day-to-day anxieties. For example, taking breaks from social media, setting realistic expectations, and regulating workloads to name just a few suggestions.

Our anxiety can be met with tactics of resilience, strength and empowerment. These are not aged ideas, but rather feats of movement to progress, find balance, and eventually lead to a more peaceful, less taxing life. Bear essential problems in stride, manage with healthy self-talk, reach out when needed and work towards developing valuable coping skills that can weather any storm.

No matter the situation, the realities we must face are true yet ever changing. It is possible to use our personal histories and what we envision for ourselves going forward to create meaningful and lasting change. Stress is alive, but so are we—let’s strive to live strong and find joy in the ride.