Millennial women hale from one of the most anxious generations to date. A recent study conducted by YPulse concluded millennial females are more stressed than their male counterparts.
Learn the facts and understand how to care for your health. Follow our five tips to rest and regularly recharge so you can be prepared for every day.
Why are Millennial Women Stressed?
Nearly half of millennials report they are stressed nearly all or most of the time. Most of this anxiety relates to financial worries. Millennials also mention concern about their career trajectory and family welfare. The COVID-19 pandemic has further contributed to millennials’ anxiety.
During the height of the pandemic, many millennial women found themselves pulled between their careers and families, forced to balance things like never before. It introduced a new stress level into many households, causing women to consider life post-pandemic. Some of these changes helped women rethink their career goals which better aligned with their values. While forced to quarantine during the worst of the pandemic, some millennial women reviewed the idea of long commutes to their job, choosing to look for remote work options. Other women quit their current careers to pursue creative ideas or business start-ups.
Likely other reasons are causing you anxiety. Know some levels of stress can be healthy if appropriately managed. It can even be the proper motivation for change. However, if you find yourself overwhelmed with anxiety, to the point where you can’t function, it might be time to reach out to a therapist to talk.
How to Rest and Recharge
Even if you’re succeeding at managing your stress, you need to regularly rest and recharge. Here are proven methods to do just that:
Maintenance Mode
To succeed at caring for yourself, ensure you manage your space. This act includes doing your weekly chores, making a meal plan for the week, getting groceries, paying your bills and crossing tasks off your list. When you accomplish your responsibilities, you care for yourself and tackle your stress head-on.
Rest Mode
When you try to rest, relaxation is your aim. Try employing mindfulness practices to help you manage your stress. Practicing relaxation techniques can significantly benefit you by slowing your heart rate and breathing rate, lowering blood pressure, improving digestion and maintaining normal blood sugar levels.
Consider utilizing the progressive muscle relaxation technique, visualization, deep breathing and yoga to unwind after a busy day. With time and practice, you can master these relaxation techniques. Additionally, you may find the act of reading, going on a walk, spending time with family or listening to music to be restful. Experiment until you find the most rewarding and relaxing activity for yourself.
Recharge Mode
To recharge after a crazy week, it’s best to unplug from technology and limit your screen time. Scrolling through Instagram and TikTok can easily steal an entire afternoon, and the after-effects it leaves are hardly restful. You might end up feeling anxious, like you’re missing out on what your friends are doing. Or perhaps after an afternoon of being on your phone, you feel overconnected to your social networks.
One study found significant benefits for turning off your device or leaving your phone in another room. Researchers discovered social media abstinence helped lower levels of “fear of missing out” (FoMO) and generally contributed to better mental wellbeing. Do yourself a favor by taking a break from your phone, especially on the weekends, to process the stress of your week and fully recharge.
How to Cope with Fatigue
If you’ve reached the point of burnout, you’re not alone. As one hits sleep deprivation, stress can build, contributing to one making poor coping decisions like overeating junk food or over-consuming caffeine or alcohol. Here are some ways to break out of the cycle:
Eat Better
Correcting your diet can do wonders to help your sleep cycle and manage your stress. Avoid overindulging in alcohol or caffeine and consider cutting it from your diet. If you love the taste of wine, know non-alcoholic wine options are available that won’t negatively affect your health.
Try to eat fresh fruits and vegetables, especially berries and leafy greens. Whole grains, fish and beans are excellent choices. When balancing your meals, aim to get enough protein, fiber and fat to regulate your blood sugar. Limit fast foods and overly processed meats and cheeses.
Make Your Room Conducive to Sleep
According to a Pew Research study, eight out of ten millennials sleep with their phone turned on and located within reach at their bedside table. The blue light within digital screens can damage your eyes and interrupt your sleep habits because our eyes have no filter to the powerful light. If you’re on your phone until the moment you go to sleep and return to your phone the second you awake, you’re likely experiencing interruptions to your sleep patterns.
Try putting down your phone an hour before bed to break this cycle. Or consider installing a blue light filter app on your screens. Additionally, use light-blocking curtains to keep your room dark so you can sleep better. White noise machines can also be a helpful tool to encourage deeper rest. Establishing a pre-bedtime routine, like showering, listening to music and reading a book, will help you unwind and sleep through the entire night. You’ll be on your way to restful sleep in no time.
Millennial Women Can Manage Their Stress
Millennial women are more anxious than ever and tend to carry a lot of stress. Whether it’s about finances, your career or your family, the good news is there are actionable ways you can manage your anxieties. Take time every day to rest and recharge, and you’ll be able to tackle the challenge of each day.
