Gen Z is exhausted by the whirlwind of deadlines and social media.

Thuy Trang (26 years old, English editor in Hanoi ) is currently being treated for burnout after a period of mental breakdown. Trang is usually a very energetic and enthusiastic person who always sets high expectations for herself, such as meeting deadlines, striving for a raise ahead of schedule, and buying a house before the age of 30.

However, after two years of relentless effort, putting aside all personal relationships to focus intensely on her work, Trang experienced instability from the middle of this year. The reason was that the workload increased significantly, and she had to calculate and complete new deadlines even before meeting old ones, leaving her completely overwhelmed.

"Working during the day wasn't enough; I had to work until 2 AM continuously for weeks. My work expectations weren't met. Initially, I felt exhausted, then gradually I became afraid of meetings, obsessed with deadlines, and didn't want to wake up for work every morning," Trang shared.

This situation lasted for three consecutive months, resulting in decreased work efficiency and increasingly distant personal goals. Trang felt demotivated and lacked the energy to go to work, so she decided to quit her job and seek help from a psychiatrist.

Another case is Linh (25 years old, communications specialist). She was working steadily, but suddenly the company changed its direction, and Linh couldn't adapt, so she had to look for a new job.

After trying out for three companies, Linh didn't find any that suited her aspirations. She became anxious. Furthermore, constant comparisons with her friends' lives online made her feel inadequate, and the pressure to maintain a perfect online image increased.

Negative emotions such as anxiety, low self-esteem, and even depression began to surface, making it difficult for her to maintain balance. During this time, she constantly felt breathless and exhausted.

More and more Gen Z are experiencing burnout.

Young people should listen to themselves.

A recent report from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that the rate of young people aged 18-25 experiencing burnout-related symptoms has doubled in the past decade, largely due to stress from work, studies, and social media.

According to data from the Institute of Mental Health, Bach Mai Hospital, approximately 8,000 people visit the hospital each month for examination due to mental disorders, with young people (aged 18-35) accounting for about 30%. A significant number of these suffer from Burnout Syndrome.

According to Dr. Nguyen Manh Hoan, former Deputy Director of Mai Huong Psychiatric Hospital, the number of young people seeking examination and diagnosis for Burnout Syndrome (also known as exhaustion syndrome) is increasing.

"Young people today face pressure not only from work but also from social media and the expectations of themselves, their families, and society. Many set goals and expectations that exceed their capabilities, leading to a lack of time for rest and relaxation. As a result, the brain and nervous system react to prolonged stress, leading to exhaustion, " Dr. Hoan analyzed.

The danger of burnout is that it's easily underestimated and mistaken for ordinary stress. In many cases, young people who seek treatment are already in the transitional stage of depression.

Burnout symptoms are easily recognizable. Those affected often experience unexplained fatigue, loss of interest in everything, difficulty concentrating, and procrastination, even if they were previously very productive.

They feel empty, have no purpose in life, are easily irritable, or withdraw into themselves. In more severe cases, burnout can lead to sleep disorders, eating disorders, and even mild panic attacks.

To avoid burnout, Dr. Hoan advises young people to understand that sustainability is more important than speed. Instead of constantly chasing external standards, start by listening to yourself, even the smallest instabilities.

At each stage of life, each person determines the appropriate steps for themselves. Learn to rest properly, socialize, and exercise to create positive energy. We also need to establish healthy boundaries with social media, avoiding comparisons and imitations. Most importantly, say "no" to things beyond our capabilities.

For those who have begun therapy, patience is crucial. No one recovers from burnout after just a few therapy sessions or a few days off. “ Recovery is a journey, and sometimes, having the courage to admit ‘I’m tired’ is the first step toward getting back,” says Dr. Hoan.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/gen-z-kiet-suc-trong-vong-xoay-deadline-and-social-media-5068892.html