The Gen Z Paradox
Gen Z is the living embodiment of the word paradox. This is the generation that was promised flying cars and hoverboards and instead got ten different monthly subscriptions. Interestingly, they live in a global village with tens of thousands of followers; however, they record some of the highest levels of loneliness. Ironically, this is the first generation to talk openly about mental health and therapy, but still, they are burned out and sad. Simply put, they’re maturing, unlike millennials or baby boomers who figured out life in their 20s.
Surprisingly, this is not only due to social pressures and stigmas; it’s also because of the habits that Gen Z has adopted over time, making them the new normal. Many of these habits did not appear out of nowhere – they are understandable responses to a strange and demanding world. Comparison, constant comparison and weighing of life in the name of networking and maintenance are often treated as necessary. These habits are said to be quietly detrimental to mental health.
Morning overstimulation
In recent years, especially after the pandemic, the first thing people do when they wake up is check their phone. If you do too, you are not alone. These temptations make sense in an ever-changing world—we want updates, gossip, and reassurance. However, what may seem innocuous can cause fear and insecurities and make it harder to interact with the real world.
Over time, this overstimulation affects more than just mental health; it also manifests physically through headaches, nausea, and brain fog.
For this reason, excessive stimulation should be minimized. Keeping phones out of reach, enjoying meals without a screen, and turning off notifications can all help slow internal clutter. These small actions support better focus and a calmer state of mind without requiring drastic lifestyle changes.
Social media and the circle of loneliness
For Gen Z, social media is the main source of connection. However, loneliness is still widespread. While social media should in theory reduce isolation, it often does the opposite. Constant comparison and pressure to stay ahead of peers creates anxiety, fear of failure, and depressive thoughts.
That’s why face-to-face conversations are still important. Simple interactions—like talking to the cashier or going outside for a walk—can dramatically improve thinking. Appreciating real relationships instead of focusing on the online lives of others helps restore emotional balance and a sense of belonging.
Avoiding resistance and emotional retardation
For Gen Z, coping with avoidance often manifests as moving around, binge-watching, gaming, or sleeping too much to relieve stress. Although it offers short-term relief, it does not solve the underlying problem. As stress accumulates, anxiety and depression increase, eventually leading to emotional exhaustion or numbness.
The value of being “always on”.
Another important factor is the constant availability. Being constantly available through notifications and messages keeps the brain in a near constant state of alertness. As a result, the boundaries between work, social life and leisure disappear. Over time, this causes stress, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and emotional exhaustion.
Setting clear boundaries helps to combat this. Turning off non-essential notifications, using Do Not Disturb when you’re sleeping or working, and creating phone-free zones, such as bedrooms or mealtimes, allow the brain to recharge. These small shifts reduce stress and improve focus without demanding perfection.
Warning against charges
After all, Gen Z is not broken or weak. This is a generation that reacts to a loud, fast and endless environment. These habits aren’t born out of laziness or failure—they’re developed as survival mechanisms. However, survival habits are not always sustainable habits.
Real change doesn’t come from deleting every app or becoming disciplined overnight. Instead, it comes from choosing presence over autopilot, connection over comparison, and relaxation over constant presence. Small, intentional shifts can slowly silence the noise and make room for clarity, balance, and true well-being.
Quotes
- Harvard Health Publishing. (2022). Doomscrolling: Perils of endless scrolling. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/doomscrolling-dangers
- Mental Health DE. (nd). Loneliness in the age of social media: Why we feel isolated despite being connected. https://www.mentalhealthde.com/blogs/loneliness-in-the-age-of-social-media-why-we-feel-disconnected-dtitude-being-connected
- Psychology today. (2018). The social network will stop. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/home-base/201802/the-social-media-disconnect
- Hayes, SC, Wilson, KG, Gifford, EV, Follette, VM, & Strosahl, K. (2004). Experiential avoidance and conduct disorders: A functional measurement approach. Journal of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, 72(4), 673–688. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.73.4.658
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