3 biggest health problems millennials need to be aware of
The health problems millennials suffer might surprise you. So, what is a millennial anyway? Well, the short answer is that nobody can agree, but the general consensus is that they are people born in the early 1980s, to the early 2000s. Today, millennials would be in their twenties and thirties.
“For at least a decade,” says author Eric Metaxas, “millennials have been stereotyped as lazy, entitled, and stuck on social media. While that may not be entirely fair, they are notoriously liberal, and favouring policies like nationalised healthcare and same-sex ‘marriage.’ There have been many negative things said about millennials, but every generation thinks it’s superior to the one that came before, and the ones that happen after, right?
Millennials’ health is something that you need to think about. Health is one of the most serious challenges that could affect your life. Whether a problem you have is physical or mental, it can severely affect all areas of your life, including your job, relationships and mental health.
Even though millennials have youth on their side, the health problems millennials get are usually due to stress, drugs and alcohol, and poor basic health – including inattention to sleep and diet. As you age, millennials will continue to have health issues, and these will be different to the generations before you in most cases. Here are the 3 biggest health problems that millennials need to focus on to ensure you have a long and happy life.
#1: Millennials are stressed out!
Stress is one of the major causes of poor academic performance for millennials. I previously wrote about how to deal with long-term stress or chronic stress, because there’re many factors that may lead to this condition. Sometimes it’s because of a project, assignment, or relationship issue. At other times, it’s a result of lacking money and life focus. All these things can take a toll on your health, particularly when you’re young and have limited resources.
What you need to do is monitor your stress levels. If they’re beyond your ability to handle, then get assistance from the health and counseling centres in your community. Many workplaces offer a wide variety of treatment options for managing stress, and might have a counselling program you can use for low cost, or even free. Take advantage of this.
#2: Millennials use and abuse alcohol and other drugs
It’s impossible to finish a list about health issues that millennials face without mentioning alcohol and drug use. A recent study showed that up to 40% percent of millennials engage in binge drinking. Some researchers suggest that if you drink heavily as a young adult, there’ll be abnormalities in your brain’s gray and white matter. Alcohol and drug abuse also causes deaths and injuries.
Worse still, binge drinking and drug abuse has undesirable long-term effects. If you’re a heavy drinker while you’re young, there’s a likelihood that you’ll be dependent on alcohol or abuse it later in life. You also risk mental health issues, and poor job opportunities. Sometimes it’s better to quit drinking since there’s always a temptation to overdo it.
#3: Millennials suffer from sleep deprivation and poor diet
More than 50 percent of millennials have experienced the pain of depriving themselves sleep. Some of them have done all-night work projects at least once in their life. Unfortunately, sleepless nights are often associated with a lower performance on the job.
Related post: Can’t Fall Asleep Easily? Make These Lifestyle Changes for a Better Sleep
Have you ever gone to bed late and woken up very early, even on weekends? Or, have you ever taken a prescription or over the counter medication to alter your sleeping patterns? The result of these actions is poor physical as well as psychological health. A poor diet can also take its toll.
Millennial writer Nishi Jain says, “Good food has become our source of happiness, sometimes our only source of happiness. The solution to every problem is good (read: swimming in calories) food and cold beer.” She suggests that the order now, think later approach to food has to change.
The health problems millennials suffer can be fixed
As a millennial, your health is more important than your work and pleasure time. This is because it affects your overall performance and quality of life. Do everything to manage your stress levels, watch your diet, pay attention to your mental health, and maintain good sleeping habits. If possible, avoid excessive alcohol and drugs. You have your whole life ahead of you – make it great!
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