In recent times, there has been a lot of change in the lifestyle and thinking of people. People often become victims of stress due to work pressure and other responsibilities; But these problems—especially stress and anxiety—are more prevalent among today’s youth, or “Gen Z.” This generation—born roughly between the late 1990s and 2010—is experiencing stress for a variety of reasons. Having grown up surrounded by smartphones and the Internet, this generation is becoming entangled in a “web” of the digital world—one that has unknowingly robbed them of their peace of mind. Let us understand from senior psychologist Monica Sharma why restlessness is increasing among the youth and what is the best way to deal with it.
Why is restlessness increasing among the youth?
According to experts, there is no single reason for Gen Z’s restlessness; Rather, it arises from a combination of factors, listed below:
Social media and ‘FOMO’: Social media platforms often feature the successes of others and their seemingly “perfect” lives. This leads to youth constantly comparing themselves to others, which creates “FOMO”—fear of missing out.
Fear of the future: There is a lot of pressure on youth regarding their career and society’s expectations. The burden of responsibilities, the fear of job loss, and a rapidly changing world are causing “future anxiety”—a deep-seated fear of the future—to increase among young people.
Information Overload: Bad news ranging from ongoing conflicts and epidemics to economic crises around the world keeps appearing on their phone screens, which creates a feeling of burden and fear in their minds.
How can one get relief from restlessness?
To effectively deal with this anxiety, relying only on medicines is not enough. The real solution lies in calming the mind and bringing a little spirituality into your lifestyle. To do this, you can follow some easy methods:
First and foremost, try to understand that the world shown on social media is not entirely real. So, stop comparing yourself with others.
When you spend almost all your time glued to a mobile phone or laptop, it is absolutely natural to feel restless. Therefore, try to stay away from your phone and the internet completely for a few hours every day. Spend quality time with your family, friends or yourself.
To block out the noise and restlessness of the outside world, practice meditation for some time every day. This gives peace to the mind and reduces fears related to the future.
