Did you know Gen-Z and Millennials Under Siege: Stress and Burnout Skyrocket to Unprecedented Levels!

 

A Talker Research survey of 2,000 adults examined how stress has built up over the past decade. It found that the average person experiences the highest level of burnout around the age of 42. This is because of too much stress culminating in the past few years, and Gen-Z and millennials are the most affected by it. For Gen Z and millennial adults, aged 18 to 44, the peak of their stress is happening even earlier, at an average of 25 years old. 42% of the respondents said that they have reached more than half of their stress capacity, while 51% of Gen-Z and 37% of millennials are getting heavily influenced by stress.

When respondents were asked what is the main cause of their burnout, 30% named finances as their top factor. Other reasons of respondents feeling burnout were work (25%), politics (26%) and physical health (23%). Some of the respondents also said that they are stressed out because of their relationships, with 18% each naming their family or love life as the cause of their burnout.

A licensed clinical psychologist, Ehab Youssef, said that stress doesn't look the same for everyone, but many younger Americans are at the peak of their stress levels earlier than most people. He added that he has never seen people in their 20s so stressed before, and whenever we ask them why they are stressed, their finances, relationships, careers, and social media expectations are the top answers. 

 When younger generations were asked what makes the content, 33% answered with work. 27% also said finances and 24% said mental health are the main reasons for contention. Gen-X, Baby Boomers and others belonging to the silent generation said that politics (27%) and physical health (24%) are most concerning for them. Gen-Z and millennials reported not worrying about their love life and social life that much, with only 14% and 12% worrying about them respectively. Most of the participants of the survey said that they feel that 2025 is going to be the most stressful year for them, while 42% anticipate it to be a good and hopeful year. 83% of the respondents said that being an adult is more challenging now than it was ten years ago, while 72% said that the next 10 years are going to be more challenging for adults.

As stress levels rise, experts provide practical advice for each generation. Gen Z and millennials should focus on digital detoxes, improving financial literacy, and building real-life connections. A balanced nutritional diet is also crucial for managing stress. For Gen X and baby boomers, adopting mindfulness, setting boundaries, and staying proactive with health screenings can help alleviate pressure. Across all ages, prioritizing mental health and strengthening support networks remain essential.