Younger people face heightened anxiety due to intense social media pressure, overwhelming financial instability, immense academic/career expectations, pervasive eco-anxiety, and global crises like the pandemic, all amplified by a developmental stage where their brains are adapting to unprecedented digital and societal shifts, leading to increased comparison, burnout, and difficulty managing stress compared to past generations.
Anxiety disorders (which may involve panic or excessive worry) are the most prevalent in this age group and are more common among older than among younger adolescents. It is estimated that 4.1% of 10–14-year-olds and 5.3% of 15–19-year-olds experience an anxiety disorder (1).
For many Gen Zers with social anxiety, technology is majorly to blame. Texting took over calling people on the phone, and now, face-to-face conversations feel intimidating because we don't have time to think about what we want to say before hitting ``send.''
The observed age pattern for daily stress was remarkably strong: stress was relatively high from age 20 through 50, followed by a precipitous decline through age 70 and beyond.
Across much of the world, it is no longer middle-aged adults who are the most miserable. Instead, young people, especially Gen Z, are reporting the highest levels of unhappiness of any age group.
Surprising Science: The 2 Ages When People Are Happiest
According to a study by the London School of Economics and Political Science, happiness tends to peak not once, but twice in life: first at age 23, and again at age 69. Yes—69!
Teas for stress and anxiety relief
What to avoid saying to someone with anxiety?
When to see a doctor. See your doctor if: You feel like you're worrying too much and it's interfering with your work, relationships or other parts of your life. Your fear, worry or anxiety is upsetting to you and difficult to control.
Whilst boomers and millennials may use the 😂 emoji, this has long since been deemed 'uncool' (or 'cheugy') by Gen Z. Instead, this has been replaced by the skull (💀) or the crying emoji (😭), dramatising the idea of 'dying with laughter'.
“A cheery or corporate 'hello' can come across as disingenuous or emotionally performative. Gen Zers value emotional clarity over politeness. They want authenticity, not artifice.” All that said, it's still a little strange.
Generation Z—those born between 1997 and 2012—is experiencing social anxiety at unprecedented rates. Recent studies show that over 60% of Gen Z individuals report significant mental health challenges, with social anxiety being one of the most prevalent concerns affecting this generation.
In fact, they found that when cortisol levels doubled, biological age increased by about 50%! This finding lines up with lots of other evidence that chronic stress can accelerate aging, making stress management a critical factor in healthy aging.
There are several things you can try to help combat anxiety, including:
Defining high-functioning anxiety
They often are successful in careers or other roles, yet internally struggle with persistent feelings of stress, self-doubt and the fear of not measuring up. They feel extremely uncomfortable inside and struggle with significant self-criticism.
Signs or symptoms of anxiety
feeling shaky or trembly, dizzy or sweating more. being unable to concentrate or make decisions. trouble sleeping. worrying about the past or future, or thinking something bad will happen.
Neglecting self-care is one of the most detrimental things you can do when you have anxiety. Skipping meals, not getting enough sleep, and not taking time for yourself can all increase your stress levels and worsen your anxiety.
Valerian. In some studies, people who used valerian reported less anxiety and stress. In other studies, people reported no benefit. Valerian is likely safe at recommended doses for a short time.
Eat complex carbohydrates.
Carbohydrates are thought to raise the amount of serotonin in the brain. This can have a calming effect. Eat foods rich in complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains. Examples of whole grains include oatmeal, quinoa, whole-grain breads and whole-grain cereals.
Scientific studies confirm a direct link between deficiencies in certain nutrients and symptoms of anxiety. Specifically, vitamin D and B vitamin deficiencies are strongly linked to the development of anxiety disorders.
According to this unscientific survey, most women peak between 19.9 years and 24.0 years (sample size 22).
We are at our most miserable at the age of 47.2 years of age, according to research by the US's National Bureau of Economic Research. But not everyone agrees, points out Amanda Cassidy. Before you speed-dial the closest Botox clinic, let's take a moment to remember that this research is, in fact, nothing entirely new.
Men are the strongest between 26 and 35 years of age.
But of course there are individual differences between athletes and some people peak before or after that age window.