When it comes to career goals, social lives, education, and health, Gen Z has been more affected by the pandemic than any other generation.
About 50 percent of Gen Z reports that maintaining their mental and physical health has been made more difficult by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Stress has been increasing at higher rates among Gen Z compared to other generations — around 30 percent of Gen Z reports being more stressed during the pandemic. According to a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Gen Z has the highest rates of anxiety and depression in the United States. Weight gain has also been a struggle for many during the pandemic — reports show that the average weight gain in this generation is close to 30 lbs (a median of 15 lbs) over two years.
Despite these challenges, Gen Z is not resigning themselves to anxiety, depression, and weight gain.
According to a study by Healthline, Gen Z has made their health a priority by educating themselves about mental health challenges and resources, seeing mental health professionals, and using mindfulness practices like meditation.
The many lifestyle changes brought on by the pandemic — such as online school, fewer job prospects, social distancing, and loneliness — has shifted the perspective of this younger generation about what is really important to them.
Rather than stressing about the future, Gen Z focuses on finding silver linings and feeling satisfied with where their lives are at now.
This means making time for self-care practices and prioritizing self-acceptance in order to boost their mental health.
In this most recent year of the pandemic, when it comes to food choices and physical wellbeing, surveys find that Gen Z would rather choose foods that make them feel happy instead of following strict diets for weight loss — a much different perspective than other generations. This falls in line with findings from a study by Vice, which reported that years into the pandemic, more than 60% of Gen Z views their mental wellbeing as their top priority, ahead of their physical health.
However, this is not to negate their view of physical health in general. The Vice study also found that over 90% of Gen Z plans to invest time in their physical health through fitness activities. Over 70% are willing to spend money on physical activities, such as classes or equipment. The drive for this change is not necessarily about appearance — rather, Gen Z understands and values the fact that improvements in their physical health can lead to better mental wellbeing.
The pandemic has given Gen Z a fresh perspective on health — a new appreciation for their mental and physical wellbeing. This appreciation motivates them to educate themselves, share their knowledge with others, and focus on becoming happier, healthier people.
Citations
- Gen Z and the Toll of the Pandemic. Published Dec. 2021. Accessed Jan. 2022. https://apnorc.org/projects/gen-z-and-the-toll-of-the-pandemic/
- Anxiety and Depression: Household Pulse Survey. Updated Jan. 2022. Accessed Jan. 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/covid19/pulse/mental-health.htm
- Young Americans continue to struggle. Published March 2021. Accessed Jan. 2022. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2021/one-year-pandemic-stress-youth
- In Health We Trust: A Gen Z Perspective. Published Apr. 2021. Accessed Jan. 2022. https://www.healthlinemedia.com/insights/in-health-we-trust-a-gen-z-perspective
- The Pandemic Has Heightened Young People’s Dedication to Their Health. Published Aug. 2020. Accessed Jan. 2022. https://www.vice.com/en/article/z3ekqx/we-asked-people-how-the-pandemic-has-changed-their-approach-to-health-and-wellness
