The job search can become overwhelming. Work itself can become overwhelming. It’s easy for millennials to feel down because of either of these reasons. According to a 2013 study conducted by the American Psychological Association and Harris Interactive, millennials are more stressed than any other living generation. On a scale of 1-10 where 3.6 is a healthy level, millennials surveyed had a stress level of 5.6. Nineteen percent of millennials reported they had depression, compared to only fourteen percent of adults from Generation X, twelve percent of Baby Boomers, and eleven percent of seniors. Millennials reported that work was the highest reason for being stressed.
What’s the reason for all this stress? According to market researcher Mike Hais, “Millennials are growing up at a tough time. They were sheltered in many ways, with a lot of high expectations for what they should achieve. Individual failure is difficult to accept when confronted with a sense you’re an important person and expected to achieve.” Millennials feel a lot of pressure on themselves, and therefore stress becomes the natural progression. Luckily, there are different ways to relieve this stress. Here are eight tips to help you avoid feeling down.
Expose yourself to vitamin D: There’s a reason people are the most relaxed while lying on the beach in the sun; Vitamin D nourishes the cells of your body, which leads to feelings of calmness and happiness. Try and get some sunlight every day.
Get more sleep: Sleep and depression have a stronger relationship than you may realize. According to the National Sleep Foundation, “depression may cause sleep problems and sleep problems may cause or contribute to depressive disorders.” Getting eight hours of sleep a night is a healthy amount.
Do things you enjoy: What non-work activities make you happy? Is it going out to the movies? Curling up with a good book? Cooking? Think about the things that truly make you happy, and try to do them more often.
Volunteer: Studies show that volunteering can improve mental health. People who volunteered showed lower levels of depression, in addition to increased levels of well-being.
Eat: There are few things that make me happier than eating, and there’s actually a scientific reason for this. According to Kathie Swift, MS, RD, LDN, co-director of the Food as Medicine program, “Food is a very powerful modifier when it comes to depression and the brain.” Pick foods that are full of vitamins and nutrients, such as fruits and vegetables.
Exercise: We all know that exercising leads to the release of endorphins, and endorphins make you happy. Take your stress out at the gym, and leave it there. According to a clinical study done in 2014, exercise improves sleep quality, immune function, and anti-depressive response.
Care for something: Whether it is a pet or a plant, caring for something can make you happier. According to an experiment done in 2008, participants who spent more of their own income on other people rather than themselves were found to be happier.
Start a happiness journal: Whenever I go through a difficult road in my life, I start a happiness journal. This may sound cheesy, but simply writing down five things every night before bed that made you happy that day, helps. Some days it could be as simple as coffee, whereas other days it could be as big as receiving a compliment from your boss. Realizing that you have things in your life that make you happy serves as a great reminder.
Whether it be your job search or your job itself, it’s easy to become stressed. Millennials are a generation with a lot expected of them, and unfortunately it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. These eight tips are great ways to help you avoid feeling down. Remember, find a bit of happiness in each day, and everything will be okay.
If you or someone you know is battling depression, please visit The Anxiety and Depression Association of America.
