The dreadful "What do you plan to do?"
Relationship worries
The culture of hustling
Plagued with self-esteem
The pressure of being ever-productive without breaks
The FOMO-induced everyday struggles
Without a doubt, stress levels are through the roof. But Gen Zs are at the most risk!
A 2018 study asserted that teenagers report higher stress and anxiety levels than any other age group. And the COVID-19 pandemic made it so much worse!
Long-term stress can impair youngsters physically, emotionally, and mentally.
But the trends showcased are excessively worrying.
What's really happening?
- One study identifies that women project worse statistics than men. There was an increase in the occurrences of insufficient sleep (24% higher than males) and alcohol use (134% higher than males).
- Compared to the pre-pandemic levels, researchers reported increases in the prevalence of excessive screen time (86% to 94%), increased alcohol (2% to 10%) and tobacco use (1% to 4%).
- When parents were questioned, 71% said the pandemic had taken a toll on their child’s mental health, and 69% said the pandemic was the worst thing to happen to their child.
What are some of the tale-telling signs?
Youngsters are more prone to exhibiting tale-telling signs when they are struggling with mental or emotional health issues. Here is a compilation of what might be the most evident:
- Anger
- Irritability
- Trouble sleeping or sleeplessness
- Behavioural changes
- Eating too much or too less; developing eating disorders
- Difficulty in perceiving surroundings or reacting to them
How to intervene & cut the cycle?
It is crucial to note when to let Gen Zs be and when to intervene and help them. Mostly, just talking to them will bestow one with the understanding of whether or not they need help, and if yes, then in what form.
To start with, here is what you can assist them with:
- Letting them get good sleep. Really, sleep indeed helps in putting us in charge of our emotions and helps us process our feelings better. A good 8-9 hours of sleep every night can do wonders!
- Talk. Expressing emotions can help one figure out exactly what had been in their heads and hearts, thus allowing room for healing and processing.
The key here is to listen without judgement and make one feel as safe as possible! - Get the fun. Get the quiet. It is easy to misread and think that one's mental and/or emotional health issues can be worked around if they just hung out with people. While that may work for a few, it seldom helps. It is pivotal to note boundaries and get an understanding of when one wishes to be alone or with people. It is important to listen to one's intuition over anything else!
- Seek a therapist. If you or someone you know remain gripped with feeling blue or sadness, you may want to get professional help. There is nothing intimidating about it - the right therapist can be one of the healthiest decisions of your life!
The young are leading the change. They need our support to make it a better space for all of us!
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