Our parents may have had a tougher life, and we may have all the technology at our disposal, but the bottom line remains that millennials are one of the most anxious generations. So much so, that the trend has a name- Millennial Anxiety Disorder!
Due to many choices, obsession with staying connected to the world, student loans that eat into the salary, addiction to an ambitious future, recurrent career changes, and a tight job market- the millennials are one of the most anxiety-ridden generations. So, even though they may have the healthiest of food choices and the best of fitness equipment at their beck and call but their mental health is quite shaky.
A well-rested mind finds it hard to feel anxious. However, most millennials suffer from insufficient hours of shut-eye and poor quality of sleep. They do not have a set routine to hit the sack and sleep becomes the first casualty when looking to add more hours to their days. They suffer from millennial Anxiety Disorder because they log into the social met works and check their emails before sleeping. This leads to intense brain activity and disturbs the body’s circadian rhythm.
Most of us kickstart our day with coffee or some form of caffeine drink. Many are addicted to their cuppas and find it hard to function without dunking their bodies with many mugs of coffee or tea. Caffeine is a stimulant, and too much of it leads to the body being in a perpetual state of ‘fight or flight.’ When the system is always on tenterhooks, it tends to increase anxiety in the body.
Most of us check our phones, throughout the day, sometimes as much as 2000 times a day. The millennials are obsessed with their emails and their messages. They find it hard to ignore a notification. The obsession with the phone is almost becoming an epidemic. Toggling between screens is considered a skill.
Most millennials do not eat on time; they skip on sleep and are stingy with their exercise schedule. They do not meditate and find time to relax only during vacations. Taking out just ten minutes a day for mediating and exercising regularly will create a more holistic pattern of life that will help reduce the Millennial Anxiety Disorder.
The generations before us may have experimented with different sexual partners, but the millennials have taken it to another level. Most people tend to have more than three to four sexual partners in their lifetime. They associate the activity of sex with the fulfillment of something within themselves. They prefer short-term pleasure and don’t worry about the long-term implications of indulging in such an emotionally gutting activity. Those who are prone to anxiety and depression may find it hard to dissociate their emotional investment in sex, and this might prove to be detrimental to their mental health issues.
Most millennials suffer from some kind of obsessive behavior. It could be compulsive shopping, binge drinking, excessive eating, and substance abuse are all different kinds of obsessive behaviors. These provide a false sense of utopian euphoria and a ‘high’ because of the release of endorphins. To experience this ‘high’ again and again, the millennials indulge in obsessive behavior which leads to millennial anxiety issues later on.
Most millennials get into binge drinking for the sake of drinking. This kind of drinking is considered harmful as it is a means of coping with negative feelings. Those who are prone to anxiety do not know how to combat negative emotions.
Food, much like sleep, comes lowest in the set of priorities. Most millennials do not eat breakfast and generally skimp on meals to make room for deadlines. Irregular meal times play havoc with insulin levels and reduces metabolism. One feels sluggish, irritable and might even faint. Repeated missing of meals can build up anxiety in the system and cause dizziness, confusion, and other anxiety-related symptoms. Eat healthy, at regular times every day and keep yourself hydrated.
A sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of developing Millennial Anxiety Disorder. Sitting all day, hunched over their computers and laptops, the millennials are the one generation that has made sitting a lifestyle. They don’t have an active work life, don’t have time for a regular workout post their work hours, and they prefer to commute through wheels than walking.
Most millennials check their emails and work on their deadlines long after the work hours are over. With no clear demarcation between work and life, they feel a sense of imbalance leading to an increase in anxiety and can cause different types of depression in millenials. This could also lead to Millennial Anxiety Disorder as work seeps into every part of their lives.
Binge-watching Netflix has become a favorite weekend activity of the millennials. But research has proved that watching TV or movies doesn’t relax but leaves one feeling empty and anxious. Going for walks, reading, taking a bath, playing a sport or doing anything else except watching the idiot box are the best options.u
Setting more intrinsic-based goals than those connected to external motivations like money and social status helps to practice self-care. Setting the right kind and achievable goals helps to reduce anxiety.
Learn to seek help from family and friends if you are feeling low. Care from people who matter creates a buffer that can take the onslaught of everyday anxieties.
Practice yoga and meditate daily. These help to calm down the mind and get in touch with our inner selves.
Read More: 7 Different Types of Relaxation Techniques
Cutting out on caffeine suddenly may lead to withdrawal symptoms like headaches, fatigue and irritability. Reduce your consumption slowly to avoid this. You could also switch over to tea or green tea as healthier alternatives.
Also Read: How to Stop Dissociating: A Comprehensive Guide to Grounding Techniques
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
Most of us are aware of what is first aid and use it as soon as required to nurse even the smallest bruise. But when we are hurt emotionally, do we make an effort to treat ourselves or seek emotional first aid? Does it need to be taken care of? Well, yes! It does.
We may be shattered emotionally for one or more reasons like loss of a dear one, work-related issues, peer pressures, societal concerns, humiliation, rejection, loneliness and depression, etc. If we are physically fit, but emotionally drained it does, in turn, may affect us physically.
Also Read: Physical and Mental Signs of Depression
It may also lead to loss of sleep, irritability, impulsiveness, loss of appetite, which in turn is going to affect your overall health and performance. This may become a vicious cycle worsening your ability to even think of coping with the problem. Most of the time you may end up making inappropriate decisions.
Rather than letting yourself pass through such an avoidable mental and subsequent physical harm, you can practice emotional first aid like you may be using home remedies to treat trivial ailments. Emotional first aid is simply a method of helping yourself to cope up emotionally to handle the situation positively instead of getting bogged down by it.
So how do you practice emotional first aid? Since each being has a different personality and temperament, the method would be highly individualistic. However, there are certain general means that may help you at some of the other time.
Read more to Debunk myths on mental health.
Thus, emotional resilience is a must and it needs to be practiced as soon as required to live life to the fullest.
Also Read: Pregnancy Fatigue: Unraveling Causes and Research-Backed Solutions
Disclaimer: The above information has been prepared by a qualified medical professional and may not represent the practices followed universally. The suggestions listed in this article constitute relatively common advice given to patients, and since every patient is different, you are advised to consult your physician, if in doubt, before acting upon this information. Lupin Limited has only facilitated the distribution of this information to you in the interest of patient education and welfare.
If we look around, we may find so many millennials continuously drowned in their gadgets; some are playing video games, other on social networking or watching some live streaming or videos or rushing to be successful. Staying away from home or alone also could be the factor affecting the status of the mind. There appears to be constant competition in their minds; it could be with themselves or their peers or social networking sites.
The race could also be to perform better in interviews, in offices, click better selfies or keep oneself up with current trends. There is this ever-increasing thirst for being the best or having the most updated information about popular things. The reason they want to catch up and remain in this competition is not only a result of the evolution of technology but also because of the way the entire society has changed.
There is a constant evaluation of youngsters by society regarding their lifestyle, career, and aspirations. This leads to a continuous struggle to match the same. They struggle to meet the milestones set by society. Some of these could be unrealistic because each person is different and has his or her own intellectual and physical capacity. There could be limitations to what one could achieve.
Nevertheless, accepting one’s limits working around them and still growing requires some introspection. This is in turn needs time. But, millennials have already set up a hectic schedule for themselves and trapped by their aspiration to achieve rigid benchmarks. There is always a particular uncertainty that they are worried about.
‘Whether I would be able to or not? Am I going to be left behind? Am I doing enough? Will my selfie get enough likes? Will I be trolled? Will I be earning X amount by the time I am 30?’ ”¦and many more are the nagging fears they live with. This leads to distress and loss of peace of mind.
It is essential for one to understand that a healthy mind and body are the two most important things to let the best in oneself come out. One should be able to identify at what point the wish is changing into an obsession. Having such clarity will help one to draw a line and take appropriate decisions.
Also Read: What is Reiki Healing: A Comprehensive Understanding Through Research
It is essential to maintain a balance between things that are important for your work and health. Not letting the anxiousness control oneself and pressurize into pushing one’s limits too far. One should be able to practice self-control when one realizes that the demanding self is affecting one’s mind and in turn sleep. With adequate restraint, one can get over the distress caused due to the various stressors. Introspection can play a vital role in setting goals.
Playing a sport, eating healthy, spending time with positive people, restricting screen time, reading inspiring stories, setting realistic goals are some of how you could help yourself and stay away from negative pressures. Trying not to compete unless you have evaluated yourself with the capabilities required to achieve the same is the best way to achieve positive results. Have clarity on what you want and what you can achieve. Avoid obsessing and start living.
Also Read: How to Relieve Tension in Neck and Shoulders Resulting from Anxiety: Proven Techniques and Solutions
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
Caffeine overdose is a reality and we need to accept it. Energy drinks, like coffee and even tea (Indians love their chai), are popular beverages that help to lessen sleepiness, increase energy and maintain alertness. Energy drinks are generally used for temporary relief of distress or the positive effects on attention and performance. These behaviours are also routine for young students to improve performance in studies and sports and professionals to enhance their work-related performance.
These drinks contain chemicals like caffeine, taurine, and vitamins hence can be called caffeinated beverages. These are popular among teenagers and young adults. However, these drinks in addition to caffeine may contain several stimulants and simple sugars, which increase their caloric content.
Since the caffeine concentration in these drinks is high, their overconsumption can have detrimental effects on one’s health. It affects the quality and duration of sleep if consumed in excess. People who habitually consume large amounts of coffee may develop a dependency on it. Serious problems have been reported when caffeine-containing products are consumed in more copious amounts. Mainly children, adolescents, and young adults can develop anxiety, fits, agitation, migraines, sleeplessness, dehydration, gastrointestinal problems or abnormal heartbeat. Importantly, it has been recently demonstrated that energy drinks also induce an ill effect on the functioning of the heart and reduce blood flow to the brain under mental stress. Moreover, caffeine has also been shown to cause damage to the muscle and kidneys.
The outcomes after caffeine toxicity are excellent. Mortality is very rare for patients who seek treatment. Those who do not seek treatment or the treatment is delayed may develop seizures, arrhythmias, or even aspirate vomitus.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Also, over-consumption of caffeine by pregnant mothers could have harmful effects on the healthy development of the unborn child.
Also, the effect of caffeine overdose produces is specific to an individual. Hence, the effects may be different in different individuals for the same amount of caffeine.
Symptoms of caffeine withdrawal begin 12 to 24 hours after the last caffeine intake and can last two to nine days, and may include a headache, fatigue, decreased energy/activeness, decreased alertness, and drowsiness. Tapering consumption is often found to be helpful.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
Considering the ill-effects of excessive use, energy drinks and caffeine-containing beverages should be limited to occasional consumption. These should be avoided before or during sports practice. People with specific heart-related ailments should seek medical advice before consuming such drinks. Parents should restrict the consumption or abuse of energy drinks by their children. Consumption of coffee in a limited quantity is acceptable in otherwise healthy people. The amount one can consume without any ill-effects or experiencing caffeine overdose vary since its effect is individualistic.
Also Read: Decoding Caffeine: How Much is Too Much?
Disclaimer: The above information has been prepared by a qualified medical professional and may not represent the practices followed universally. The suggestions listed in this article constitute relatively common advice given to patients, and since every patient is different, you are advised to consult your physician, if in doubt, before acting upon this information. Lupin Limited has only facilitated the distribution of this information to you in the interest of patient education and welfare.
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