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Sometimes we need to take a moment, step back, and rest. Your personal and work life can become a source of stress and anxiety, especially when it overwhelms you. This is when burnout can occur \u2014 a form of exhaustion<\/a> that results from prolonged emotional, physical, and mental stress.<\/p>\n The World Health Organization has recognized<\/a> \u201cburnout\u201d as an \u201coccupational phenomenon.\u201d This was in the aftermath of the lockdown during COVID-19, where the global pandemic disrupted our work-life balance. <\/p>\n But there is one demographic particularly affected by the risk of burnout. Millennials (born 1981 \u2013 1996<\/a>) have shown a sharp increase<\/a> in mental health issues, primarily depression, compared to previous generations.<\/p>\n Due to longer work hours<\/a> and stagnant wages<\/a> in a troubled economy, millennials are suffering from high rates of burnout \u2014 many quitting their jobs because of mental health issues. In January 2022, the New York Times reported<\/a> a record number of workers leaving their jobs, a phenomenon reminiscent of the great resignation<\/a> in 2021.<\/p>\n Statistically, millennials aren\u2019t working longer hours than other generations. Data shows that 75% of millennials<\/a> aged 25-34 work 31-50 hours a week, the same as those aged 35-64. Burnout isn\u2019t an exclusive problem for younger generations; 52% of adults<\/a> experience burnout, a 9% rise from pre-covid times.<\/p>\n But millennials face pressures other generations never had to contend with. The pressures of social media<\/a> combined with job-related stress have exacerbated the issue of burnout amongst young people. Recently, the author Anne Helen Petersen wrote a book entitled Can\u2019t Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation. This links the burnout experience to millennial interactions with technology and the societal pressures of achieving financial stability.<\/p>\n Related:<\/b> How to Respond to the Great Resignation: 3 Ways to Improve Retention<\/a><\/p>\n Generation X (born 1960s \u2013 1980s<\/a>) and millennials have seen a decline in physical and mental health<\/a> compared to their parents and grandparents of previous generations. <\/p>\n Depression and anxiety have had the largest growth in prevalence in recent years for millennials in particular. Recently, the Harvard Business Review found that half of the millennials surveyed between the ages of 24 and 30 said they had left a job for mental health reasons<\/a>. This is compared to just 20% of the general population attributing resignation to mental health issues. <\/p>\n Depression and anxiety are both symptoms of burnout<\/a>, particularly due to work-related stress that leads to physical and emotional exhaustion.<\/p>\n Millennials are not the only generation that suffers from job burnout. But, some generational factors make burnout amongst millennials at work more common:<\/p>\n A Challenging Path<\/b> \u2014 Most millennials experienced the Great Recession of 2008<\/a>, accepting jobs out of financial necessity rather than ambition. Burdened with vast amounts of student debt<\/a>, millennials are among the most educated of all generations but also the most stressed. <\/p>\n Society is to blame, too, with its \u201chustle culture<\/a>\u201d pressurizing millennials to work hard and get ahead. In tandem with rising house prices<\/a> and stagnant wages<\/a>, millennials at work are increasingly likely to burn out quicker than other generations.<\/p>\n Technology<\/b> \u2014 The millennial generation has grown up with smartphones and social media, unlike previous generations. A whopping 93% of millennials<\/a> own a smartphone, and 86% use social media. The blue light emitted from smartphones and tablets has been shown to disrupt sleep patterns<\/a> as artificial lighting keeps the body awake for longer, leading to fatigue. Add work-related stress, and it\u2019s no wonder millennials are burnt out.<\/p>\n Social media has also had an unprecedented impact on millennials, with 43.9% saying they would prefer a world without it<\/a>. Thanks to apps like Instagram and Facebook, the pressure to look a certain way and have a successful career at an early age has made an entire generation feel like they\u2019re underperforming. <\/p>\n Poor Diet<\/b> \u2014 Not only environmental factors contribute to millennial burnout at work. Poor coping mechanisms like a bad diet and overconsumption of alcohol and caffeine wreak havoc on sleep quality and mental health. Quarantining in the pandemic impacted eating habits, with 53% of young people<\/a> eating less than three meals a day. With less time on their hands, millennials snack more frequently<\/a>, turning to convenience to fit in with a stressful lifestyle. <\/p>\n Although millennials at work are more likely to be affected by job burnout, it\u2019s a condition that can affect anyone. If constant stresses leave you feeling disillusioned, powerless, and exhausted, you may be showing signs of burnout. The negative effects of burnout make all aspects of life a challenge \u2014 not just work. Your body and immune system suffer, making you more susceptible to illnesses<\/a>. That\u2019s why it\u2019s vital to deal with burnout right away.<\/p>\n Why Are Millennials So Burnt Out? <\/h2>\n
What Problems Are Millennials Facing? <\/strong> <\/h3>\n
Why Is Life So Hard for Millennials? <\/strong> <\/h3>\n
Signs of Burnout in the Workplace <\/strong> <\/h3>\n