Burnout: A Gen Z Struggle

Burnout is the mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion associated with prolonged and excessive stress. Most people will experience it at one point or another, but Gen Z seems to be hitting the wall far earlier than previous generations.

Zoomer Burnout

A startling survey from Talker Research, a New York-based market researcher, found that one in four Americans now experience burnout before age 30.

Zoomers and Millennials experience peak burnout on average at 25 years old – nearly two decades sooner than the overall average of 42 years old. Gen Z and Millennial adults also report feeling more stressed than participants from older generations.

Experts say stress can lead to four different types of burnout. There’s overload, which stems from an intense drive to succeed that drives people to work harder than is healthy. Those suffering from under-challenged burnout under-challenged feel underappreciated and bored. Neglect burnout occurs when someone feels helpless or stuck, triggering feelings of incompetence and failure. Finally, habitual burnout develops when physical or mental exhaustion becomes chronic. This is the most severe type of burnout and can lead to serious depression.

What’s the Cause?

So, what’s behind Gen Z stress and burnout? According to Talker Research, the top factor is work, followed closely by finances and mental health. In contrast, Gen X and older respondents said their biggest stressors are politics and physical health.

With Americans feeling the strain of the affordability crisis, it’s no surprise that 83% of those surveyed agreed that “entering adulthood today is more challenging than it was a decade ago.”

And they may have a point: AI and foreign labor are reshaping the job market in unprecedented ways, house and rent prices remain sky-high, and wages have barely budged. For many young adults, the “American Dream” is drifting further out of reach.

The pressure of 21st-century digital life adds to Gen Z’s strain. The generation grew up online, surrounded by notifications, news alerts, and social media highlight reels that set unrealistic expectations about success.

The pandemic served to further ignite the burnout fire. Lockdowns interfered with school, work, and social life. Major milestones like graduations were canceled or moved online. Many entered adulthood in isolation during a period of economic instability. Those factors combined with uncertainty about the future have had lasting effects on Gen Z’s mental health and stress levels.

How to Treat Burnout

If you’re experiencing burnout, all hope is not lost. Experts recommend five ways to manage overwhelming stress: Get enough sleep, enjoy a relaxing activity, practice mindfulness, reach out to a loved one for support, and if possible, talk to your supervisor about taking on a more manageable workload.

To help prevent burnout in the first place, focus on building stress-management skills, prioritizing your physical and mental health, and maintaining healthy boundaries with the stressors in your life whenever possible.

1. Zoomers experience peak burnout on average at age 25.
2. There are four types of burnout: overload, under-challenged, neglect, and habitual.
3. The treatment for burnout includes adequate sleep, mindfulness, and relaxation.