The Anxiety Epidemic: Why Gen Z Can’t Avoid it.

Generation Z is considered those who were born between 1997 and 2012 (current age of 11-26). While each generation faces unique challenges, this generation is faced with a particularly impacting challenge: Anxiety. Many factors are contributing to this, including a drastic spike in technology, social reform, and looming global challenges. What are the specific contributing factors to this anxiety? And how can you cope?

Social Media and Constant Connectivity:

Social media influence has marked itself as a defining characteristic of Gen Z. More and more platforms are making themselves available - increasing the pressure to stay connected and on display. While we are seeing these platforms give people an outlet for self-expression, we are finding they are also leading to many negative feelings. These can include lowering self-esteem due to comparison, fear of missing out (FOMO) due to seeing the day to day of the lives of friends and family, and cyberbullying due to the ease and accessible anonymity. 

Academic Pressure:

Pursuing academic success has always been stressful for students, but for Gen Z, we are seeing an increase in this pressure. The pressure to perform well on standardized testing, intense competition for college admissions, and the relentless pursuit of perfect grades can all lead to a negative impact on mental health. There is constant pressure to perform perfectly in order to secure a successful and impactful future. 

Economic Uncertainty:

Gen Z has been faced with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic unlike other generations. This is the time when they are needing to discover and pursue initial careers or decide on undergraduate and graduate programs all while facing student loan repayments and increasing cost of living. There is a great degree of financial anxiety for this generation. 

Climate Anxiety:

While it may not feel immediately threatening, climate change is a looming crisis that Gen Z is no stranger to. They have grown up through extreme weather events and witnessing our ecosystems collapse. They are hyper aware of the consequences of climate change, which can also lead to heightened anxiety. 

Political Polarization:

We know that in recent elections political polarization has only increased. The left separated significantly from the right with there being little middle ground. Our world is politically divided leading to heated debates and divisive conversations. This can lead to increased distress for this generation as they try to find their place in the political conversation and form their own political identity. 

Uncertain Future:

Based on many of these issues, there is a fear of the future. They are at a critical point in their life of discovering their identity by trying to determine career and family paths while navigating a world faced with challenges. Due to climate change, political challenges, and economic struggles, there are many factors that are making these choices and explorations increasingly difficult to navigate. These difficulties are only leading to an increase in anxiety for what the future holds. 

While there are many challenges facing Gen Z, there are ways to develop resiliency, optimism, and drive for the future:

Mindfulness and Self-Care: Practice 10 minutes of mindfulness a day. Meditate for 5 minutes upon waking up in the morning. Go for a 15 minute walk on your lunch break. Or create your own self-care routine you can engage in when you start noticing your unique signs of anxiety. 

Community and Connection: Build strong social connections. Enter into supportive communities (both online and in person). Engage in activities you enjoy and find meaningful relationships in these places to help ease anxious feelings. 

Educational Initiatives: Educate yourself about mental health and how it impacts you. Identify the struggles you may be facing and then identify what you need to stop doing, add in, or change to relieve these feelings. 

Engage in Therapy: Find a therapist you connect with. Someone you can be open and honest with and someone who can help you to develop additional coping strategies to help you manage any symptoms of anxiety you may be experiencing. 

If you or your child are struggling with anxiety, please know there are ways to manage these symptoms. Please book a free 15 minute consultation below or contact us to set up an appointment for Anxiety Therapy.