5 life rules for millennials
Millennials are people who were born between 1981 and 1996. Like other generations, they have their own characteristics. Let's try to figure out how to survive in this world if you belong to Generation Y.
Rule # 1: Taking care of body
According to Cancer Research UK, millennials are at risk of becoming the "fattest generation in history." The reasons for this are the consumption of processed food with high sugar content and the acceleration of pace of life. And in turn obesity often leads to diabetes, heart disease and strokes, cancer etc. Therefore, it is important for millennials to watch what they eat (to read the composition of products before consumption, to eat more fruits and vegetables, to limit the consumption of sweets and fast food) and to do sports regularly [1, 2].
Generation Y is a generation of sexual freedom: their growing up came at a time when porn became available on the Internet, when sexuality and sexual identity began to be discussed freely in public space. It is crucially important for millennials to take care of sexual safety to prevent unwanted pregnancies and to protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases.
Studies have also shown that disorders caused by drug use, excessive alcohol consumption and smoking are common among millennials. Therefore, they need to get rid of bad habits, visit a doctor on a regular basis in order to be examined and respond to changes in health.
Rule # 2: Taking care of mental health
Millennials are also called the “anxious generation”: they are prone to depression and mental illness [4]. The negative influence of technologies on physical well-being and emotional state of people plays a significant role in this. Therefore, representatives of Generation Y should occasionally arrange for a digital detox and be aware that it is not a shame to seek help from mental health professionals. Working with a psychologist or psychotherapist will help to improve the quality of life and start enjoying it.
By the way, even people who do not have any particular problems sometimes turn to specialists, they do it in order to work on their strengths and start living a happier life.
Rule # 3: Work-life balance
Some studies show that about half of millennials have quit a job because of mental health reasons [3]. This is due to the fact that more and more people work on a non-standard schedule. In the modern world the attitude of people to career is different: millennials change jobs and even spheres of activity more often than their parents. It is no weird that many of them have the feeling of a missed opportunity and are exhausted at the same time.
Therefore, it is important for millennials to prevent professional burnout in time and maintain a work-life balance. They should keep in mind that there are other needs besides professional realization (health, hobbies, personal relationships etc.) and they are important for each individual.
Rule # 4: Financial and Media Literacy
In comparison with previous generations, millennials are not prone to accumulate money because they have other life priorities. This is especially true in the context of Western Europe: people are getting an education longer, they marry, give birth to children and start to create a "family nest" later in this part of the world. Millennials prefer "free" money, not real estate or deposits. This is quite risky, taking into account the unpredictability of life [5].
Millennials also watch less television, they prefer being online. They are overwhelmed with news that makes them feel helpless – it seems like terrorism, environmental disasters, political scandals happen all the time. The uncontrolled flow of information literally covers people who regularly sit in front of their gadgets.
These features suggest that millennials should pay attention to learning the basics of financial and media literacy. It will help them not to get lost in the sea of information and guard against insolvency.
Rule # 5: Communication with other people
One study found that 30% of millennials face loneliness. They are more likely than other generations to say that they have no close or best friends [6].
Being alone is not bad, as long as this loneliness doesn’t oppress a person, doesn’t make him/her unhappy.
Man is a social being who reveals features precisely in a team, in the process of communication. This is why millennials should think about it at least from time to time and step outside their comfort zone to find a contact with others.
[1] https://www.healthline.com/health-news/how-labels-and-instagram-fuel-obesity#What-can-we-do-to-stop-the-trend?
[2] https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/health-risks-overweight#problems
[3] https://www.businessinsider.com/half-of-millennials-left-jobs-for-mental-health-reasons-2019-10
[4] https://www.healthline.com/health-news/top-10-health-conditions-affecting-millennials
[5] https://www.businessinsider.com/not-all-millennials-are-financially-literate-pass-this-test-2019-4
[6] https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2019/8/1/20750047/millennials-poll-loneliness
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