Top Millennial Stressors Include Healthcare Costs

A majority of millennials (78%) believe they are more stressed than previous generations and that life is more stressful today than for previous generations, according to a new study.

Lhasa OMS recently surveyed 2,000 millennials to learn more about their stress levels, the impact stress has on their lives and the coping methods they turn to. According to the survey, 80% of millennials experience stress several times a week and 40% experience it daily. The study also found that millennial women are more stressed than millennial men.

“After the WHO recognized burnout as a legitimate medical diagnosis earlier this year, Lhasa OMS decided to survey a core group of their target demographic to learn more about why millennials are stressed and how they cope with it,” says Matt Zajechowski, content strategist, Digital Third Coast, a creative data research agency in Chicago.

Top millennial stressors include:

• Finances and debt

• Work/career pressure

• Maintaining a healthy work-life balance

• Expensive healthcare

• Future of the nation

• Mental health

• Relationships

• Physical health

Related: The Surprising Relationship Millennials Have with Healthcare

Ninety-one percent of respondents said a higher income would lead to them feeling less stressed. In addition, despite feeling stressed out multiple times a week, only 12% of millennials regularly set aside time to de-stress. 

The study also looked at the top emotional, top behavioral, and physical side effects of stress on millennials.

Emotional:

• Anxiety

• Feeling Overwhelmed

• Anger/Irritability

Behavioral:

• Social withdrawal

• Poor communication

• Changes in diet

Physical:

• Fatigue

• Insomnia

• Physical burnout

The study also looked at the top way’s millennials cope with stress. This included: watching TV or movies; listening to music; sleeping; eating; and exercise.

“I think healthcare executives would be most interested both the rate at which the younger generation of millennials are stressed in the ways millennials cope with stress,” Zajechowsk says. “Also, the fact that more expensive healthcare is a top reason why Millennials think life is more stressful now than for previous generations. To me this signals that stress levels may continue to increase as the price of healthcare continues to rise.”