Written by Sam Mishra, The Medical Massage Lady
Sam Mishra (The Medical Massage Lady), is a multi-award winning massage therapist, aromatherapist, accredited course tutor, oncology and lymphatic practitioner, trauma practitioner, breathwork facilitator, reiki and intuitive energy healer, transformational and spiritual coach and hypnotherapist.
Three generations ago, anxiety meant coping with the aftermath of a world war. Today, it's often about the number of likes on a social media post. The journey from post-war trauma to digital age stress reveals a fascinating evolution of human psychology and societal pressures.
The silent generation's silent struggles
For those born between 1925 and 1945, anxiety wore a different face. Many people were grieving the loss of loved ones, communities were destroyed, and people were struggling to deal with the physical and psychological burden that resulted from that.
The challenge wasn't just about rebuilding bombed-out buildings. It was about reconstructing shattered identities. Women who had stepped into traditionally male roles during the war now grappled with societal expectations to return to homemaking, while men returning from combat faced the daunting task of reintegrating into civilian life.
Anxiety, in this era, was less about personal fulfillment and more about basic survival and societal reintegration. Yet, it often went unnamed and unaddressed, a silent companion to a generation focused on rebuilding.
Baby boomers: The dawn of "stress"
As the world settled into a new normal, the Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964) faced a rapidly changing landscape. There were lots of advances in technology and science and living standards were actually becoming better compared to the post-war period.
But with progress came new pressures. The term "stress" began to enter the public lexicon, giving a name to the feeling of being overwhelmed by modern life's complexities. The 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act marked a turning point, acknowledging mental health alongside physical health in the workplace.
For Boomers, anxiety is often centered around keeping up with the pace of change. The challenge was adapting to a world that looked drastically different from the one their parents knew.
Gen X: Stress goes mainstream
For Generation X (born 1965-1980), stress wasn't just a concept; it became a cultural touchstone. It was during this period that stress really started to become a term that was used to explain the changes that had been taking place throughout the workforce.
Media coverage of workplace stress exploded. A 1985 article declared that "working could be a health hazard," highlighting how different occupations carried varying levels of stress. This generation saw the rise of stress management programs in the workplace, a tacit acknowledgment that anxiety had become a significant economic and social issue.
Interestingly, this era also saw a gendered view of stress emerge. Jobs considered "low stress" were often associated with women, while high-stress occupations were linked to men. This perception inadvertently downplayed the mental health challenges faced by women, a misconception we're still working to correct today.
Millennials: Economic anxiety and the credit crunch
As we moved into the Millennial generation (born 1981-1996), economic factors took centre stage in the anxiety narrative. The use of credit cards through the 80s was regarded as part of everyday life, and this normalization of debt added a new layer of financial stress unknown to previous generations.
Millennials came of age during the 2008 financial crisis, which shaped their relationship with money and job security. The idea of a stable, lifelong career became increasingly elusive, replaced by the gig economy and frequent job changes. This economic uncertainty bred a new kind of anxiety, one centered on financial stability and future prospects.
Gen Z: Digital natives, digital anxiety
For Generation Z (born 1997-2012), anxiety has taken on a distinctly digital flavour. Social media has been a huge factor in increased stress levels. The constant connectivity that defines this generation's experience is a double-edged sword.
On one hand, it provides unprecedented access to information and support. On the other, it creates a pressure cooker of comparison and validation-seeking behaviour. Teens will post content hoping that lots of people are going to like, comment, or interact in some way with their content; it's all about the validation that they receive.
This digital anxiety manifests in unique ways. Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) has become a recognized psychological phenomenon, and cyberbullying presents a threat that can follow young people into their own homes. Even sleep patterns are affected, with studies linking social media use to disrupted sleep and subsequent anxiety and depression.
The pandemic generation: A new layer of stress
The COVID-19 pandemic added yet another dimension to Gen Z's anxiety landscape. There was stress over fear of the people you love getting sick. Plus, with children not being at school, there were questions of whether those teenagers would have fewer job prospects or difficulty integrating back into social settings and the workplace team.
This generation faces the challenge of forming their identities and starting their careers in a world upended by a global health crisis. The long-term mental health impacts of this experience are still unfolding.
The silver lining: Increased awareness and access to support
Despite the rising tide of anxiety across generations, there's a positive trend emerging. Teens nowadays are more likely to seek help in a confidential way via technology rather than having to share their feelings with peers and risking being thought less of due to their mental health. The stigma around mental health is decreasing, and digital tools are making support more accessible than ever before.
Younger generations can access mental health resources online, often without the need to go through parents or teachers. This autonomy in seeking help is a significant shift from previous generations, where mental health issues were often swept under the rug.
Looking forward: Bridging the generational anxiety gap
As we navigate this new landscape of generational anxiety, it's crucial to recognize that each generation's experiences are valid, even if they differ dramatically. The key lies in fostering intergenerational understanding and leveraging the strengths of each generation to support one another.
Perhaps the Boomer who learned resilience in the face of post-war hardship can offer perspective to the Gen Zer grappling with social media pressure. Maybe the tech-savvy Millennial can help their Gen X parents find online mental health resources.
Ultimately, anxiety may wear different faces across generations, but the human need for connection, understanding, and support remains constant. By recognizing this shared humanity, we can work together to create a future where mental health is prioritized, regardless of the generation we belong to.
As we move forward, let's carry with us the lessons learned from each generation's struggle with anxiety. From the silent battles of the post-war era to the digital age's open discussions about mental health, we've come a long way. The challenge now is to keep the conversation going, to keep supporting each other, and to remember that whether our anxieties stem from war zones or WiFi zones, we're all in this together.
The evolving face of family dynamics
The impact of generational anxiety extends beyond individual experiences, reshaping the very fabric of family life. Back in the 80s, it was a standard thing to sit down with a board game or have family dinners where perhaps you might talk about your day, but with increased technology and family members working extended hours, that very rarely happens now.
Today's family gatherings often look quite different. Teens might be physically present but mentally elsewhere, absorbed in their digital worlds. This shift has created new challenges in family communication and bonding. However, it's not all negative. The digital age has also provided new ways for families to stay connected across distances, offering a lifeline of support that wasn't available to previous generations.
The double-edged sword of technology
While technology, particularly social media, has been a significant source of anxiety for younger generations, it's also revolutionized access to mental health support, providing an easier way for them to access mental health care in a confidential way, without even their parents knowing.
This increased accessibility is a game-changer. It allows young people to seek help on their own terms, potentially catching and addressing mental health issues earlier. However, this independence comes with its own set of challenges. Without parental oversight, there's a risk of misinformation or inadequate support. The key lies in finding a balance between autonomy and guidance.
The workplace revolution
Each generation has faced unique workplace stressors, from the post-war readjustment to the gig economy. Now, we're witnessing another seismic shift with the rise of remote and hybrid work models. While these offer flexibility, they also blur the lines between work and personal life, creating new forms of anxiety.
For Gen Z entering the workforce, the challenge is twofold. They're navigating the complexities of starting their careers in a digital-first environment while also grappling with the lingering effects of pandemic-related disruptions to their education and social development.
The future of anxiety management
As we look to the future, it's clear that anxiety will continue to evolve alongside societal changes. However, we're better equipped than ever to address it. The increased awareness and destigmatization of mental health issues across generations provide a solid foundation for progress.
Moving forward, the focus should be on developing adaptive coping strategies that can flex with changing stressors. This might involve integrating technology in positive ways, fostering intergenerational dialogue, and creating supportive environments both online and offline.
The journey from war zones to WiFi zones has been marked by profound changes in how we experience and manage anxiety. By understanding this evolution, we can better prepare for the challenges that lie ahead, ensuring that future generations are equipped with the tools they need to thrive in an ever-changing world.
In the end, while the sources of our anxieties may change, our capacity for resilience and growth remains constant. It's this human spirit, passed down through generations that will continue to guide us through whatever anxieties the future may hold.
Read more from Sam Mishra
Sam Mishra, The Medical Massage Lady
Sam Mishra (The Medical Massage Lady), is a multi-award winning massage therapist, aromatherapist, accredited course tutor, oncology and lymphatic practitioner, trauma practitioner, breathwork facilitator, reiki and intuitive energy healer, transformational and spiritual coach and hypnotherapist. Her medical background as a nurse and a midwife, combined with her own experiences of childhood disability and abuse, have resulted in a diverse and specialised service, but she is mostly known for her trauma work. She is motivated by the adversity she has faced, using it as a driving force in her charity work and in offering the vulnerable a means of support. Her aim is to educate about medical conditions using easily understood language, to avoid inappropriate treatments being carried out and for health promotion purposes in the general public. She is also becoming known for challenging the stigmas in our society and pushing through the boundaries that have been set by such stigmas within the massage industry.
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Youth mental health in decline: generations differ on causes of apparent crisis, survey finds
Stress: statistics, Results of our 2018 study
