Work is the biggest cause of stress for millennials; for Gen Z, it's relationships and breakups.
Causes of Stress by Generation
Millennials are more likely than the older generation to engage in sedentary activities to manage stress. They are also significantly more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors such as drinking alcohol and smoking.
What social issues do Millennials care about? Social issues that millennials care about include climate change, environmental protection, affordable healthcare, equal access to healthcare, Immigration reform, and increased diversity.
In his remarks, Sinek focuses on four areas: parenting, technology, impatience, and environment. Examining these prime characteristics, Sinek says, can help companies successfully hire and manage millennials.
Inflation is the top problem Gen Z and Millennials name as the biggest they are facing today. Over-dependence and addiction to technology ranked second as the top problem among young people for the first time. However, racism and COVID-19 are still top concerns for these gens.
Due to their independent nature, Millenials are not as interested in teamwork as other generations. Millennials do not have as strong a work ethic, with an average of 38.8 hours spent at work a week compared to previous generations who both average above 40 hours8.
Research also indicates that Gen Zers are currently the most stressed demographic of people. The American Psychological Association (APA) reports that: 90% of Gen Z experienced psychological or physical symptoms as a result of stress in the last year. ²
Millennials aren't lazy; in fact, most of them are incredibly driven. They want to learn, advance, and progress. And it's important to provide them a path to do so at your company. As Fontana explains, "Giving employees room to grow and progress at your business is a huge motivator.
Despite stereotypes endorsed by older generations, millennials are one of the hardest working generations. Over a quarter of them work 2 or more jobs. The number of weekly working hours is also astonishing for this generation, with 73% working more than 40 hours per week, and almost 25% working more than 50 hours.
According to the American Psychological Association, the three types of stress — acute stress, episodic acute stress, and chronic stress — can all make us feel out of sorts or even ill, but chronic stress is often ignored.
Gen Z has been called the 'most depressed generation' with the least positive outlook and diminished emotional and social well-being. They have more unmet social needs than any other generation. The statistics for their behavioural-health issues – mental and substance disorders – are alarming.
Millennials with Depression and Anxiety
For example: Millennials have seen an increase in major depression and alcohol use disorders in the past year. Nearly one-third of millennials have some type of behavioral health problem. They're more likely to suffer from depression than their elders.
According to Cigna International Health's 2023 survey of almost 12,000 workers around the world, 91% of 18-to-24-year-olds report being stressed – compared to 84% on average. Research indicates Gen Z are emerging as the most stressed demographic in the workplace, and struggling mightily to cope.
Strauss and Howe ascribe seven basic traits to the millennial cohort: special, sheltered, confident, team-oriented, conventional, pressured, and achieving.
Millennials (and the kids born after them) are currently being called the “unhealthiest generation” in human history—facing diagnoses, mysterious illnesses and conditions that our ancestors or their parents never faced.
Millennials are often portrayed as having different career aspirations and goals from older generations. This stereotype stems from the fact that millennials change jobs more frequently and tend to have a shorter tenure with an employer.
The constant lack of emotional connection is a significant reason why millennials are afraid of commitment. The majority of them likely choose relationships for convenience. It saves money, lets them move out of their parent's house, and well, you always have someone for your physical desires and pleasures too.
They value family, personal connection, and loyalty. They seek out the genuine and are repulsed by phony. They are famously optimistic and believe in the possibility of change. They advocate for the environment and social justice.