Generation Z is trying to reduce stress by rediscovering new relaxation ideas. Grandparents and parents have already used these tricks to calm down: Terms like “Nature Escapes” are trending on TikTok, Instagram, and other social media. What is behind this?
Generation Z is considered particularly affected by stress and pressure: Young adults aged 18 to 24 are most frequently on sick leave due to stress-related mental health issues. However, Generation Z has also found ways to reduce or alleviate stress.
They resort to methods that parents and grandparents have already employed. Only under a more modern name.
Relaxing activities are being rediscovered by Generation Z
Our parents and grandparents already knew or know that certain things outside of daily life can be very relaxing. These activities are currently being rediscovered by Generation Z. However, on TikTok, Instagram, and co., new terms are being used instead of explicitly naming the activities:
- Locking oneself in the bathroom for hours and contemplating the world. Our parents and grandparents already know how relaxing it can be to sit on the toilet with a newspaper. Generation Z calls this “Bathroom Camping”
- A break during which one literally and figuratively sits on the floor to pause and recharge is called “Floor Time”.
- A simple walk in the woods or a picnic by the lake. The generation finds such “Nature Escapes” very relaxing
- Knitting, painting, or puzzling are being rediscovered by young people. A new term has also been found for this: “Cozy Hobbies”
- Sitting in a café or a library is considered relaxing. Generation Z calls this “Third Place Escapes”
- Animal videos are said to have a calming effect and release happiness hormones in us. Generation Z has also developed a term for this: “Pet Therapy”
- “Adult Colouring” refers to special books aimed primarily at young adults to relax while coloring.
Apart from that, other terms are now being coined to reduce stress. “Bare Minimum Mondays” describes a weekly start that one consciously takes slowly and relaxed (via mittelstand-mittelrhein.de).
We live in financially uncertain times. Generation Z is resorting to harsh measures to survive and especially to pay off high debts. According to reports, more and more young people are tapping into their pension savings or selling personal belongings because the cost of living is constantly rising and salary increases are usually absent: Generation Z is raiding its savings, skipping meals, and selling its belongings just to get by
