A wellbeing campaigner and social media star has shared his top tips for helping people feel less stressed – as it emerged two-thirds (65%) of young adults struggle to “switch off” each day.
A survey of 2,000 adults found that millennials, aged 26-42, are the “always on” generation, managing to have just 91 minutes of downtime each day.
Nearly half of this age group (45%) will check their phones as soon as they wake up in the morning, with 21% sneaking a peek at their work emails before they officially clock in for the day.
And 9% even say they would not go on holiday without being able to keep in touch with their work while away.
The research, commissioned by Extra gum, found that over half of adults (53%) across all age groups feel that there is too much dependence on modern technology, resulting in “too many distractions to be able to switch off”.
However, this is most noticeable for millennials, with 65% feeling this way – compared to just 12% of the “silent” generation, born between 1928-1945.
And the same number of Gen X adults (12%), born 1965-1980, would check in on their work emails before starting work for the day – nearly half the amount of millennials and Gen Z who do the same.
It also emerged that two in five millennials (41%) are unable to have the TV on without also scrolling on their phone at the same time.
Henry Nelson-Case, social media star, corporate lawyer, TedX Speaker, and wellbeing advocate, said: “It seems as time has gone by, people are in more of a rush with their life.
“It isn’t sustainable living life at such a fast pace. Not getting enough sleep, getting too stressed at work, and simply not having enough time to relax, can really harm our mental health.
“We need to take a step back, and allow more time to wind down, and enjoy doing nothing.”
The research, which was commissioned by Extra gum, went on to find the average adult has six hours sleep per night – even though the recommendation is seven or more.
And almost six in ten (59%) feel like they are “always on”, with no time to properly relax.
Furthermore, almost three in ten (29%) have experienced burnout in their careers – with the average age being 34 when going through this struggle.
Of these, 42% cried, while 40% searched for a new job – and one in three even took their stress out on other family members.
And 12% have taken up a new hobby to release frustration to avoid burning out, according to the survey stats by OnePoll.
Hannah Lee, spokeswoman for Extra gum said: “It’s shocking to see just how many of us have experienced burnout, and how young the average age is.
“It’s great that people are doing something about it, though – whether it’s searching for a new job, starting a hobby as a distraction, or diarising time for themselves.
“Even little ways of distracting yourself can be handy. We know from the research that 34% of people chew gum to relieve tension, which provides a little moment every day to re-centre and take time for yourself.”
HENRY NELSON-CASE’S TOP TIPS FOR DE-STRESSING:
- Try and identify the source of your stress – Take a moment to reflect and identify what is causing you stress. Knowing what the cause is can help you address it more effectively.
- Practice relaxation techniques – Relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, and yoga can help you calm down and reduce anxiety.
- Exercise regularly – Regular exercise can help you alleviate the signs of burnout by releasing endorphins, which are natural stress-fighters.
- Get enough sleep – Lack of sleep can increase anxiety levels, so make sure you get a good night’s sleep each evening.
- Take a moment for yourself – For example, chewing a piece of gum can provide you with a distraction, and give you something else to focus on.
- Set realistic goals – Setting achievable goals can help you diminish stress by giving you a sense of accomplishment and control.
- Learn to say no – Saying no to things you don't have time or energy for can help you avoid over-committing yourself, and reduce worry.
- Manage your time effectively – Managing your time effectively can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed and strained.
- Practice positive self-talk – Talking to yourself in a positive, encouraging way can help you alleviate stress and build resilience.
- Seek support from others – Talking to friends, family, or a professional can help you manage pressure and build coping skills.
