It seems like Millennials are doing everything differently from other generations, from shopping to eating to communicating. Their values are different, and so are their expectations, especially when it comes to wellness. With that in mind, here are a couple of things millennials can teach us about health.
They are very health-conscious and informed
As a tech-savvy generation, it doesn’t really come as a surprise that Millennials are well-informed on the topics that interest them the most, and health is no exception. They understand that, by having easier access to information related to health, they have an advantage over their parents and grandparents, and they are putting it to good use.
Other than investing in their own personal health, you will often find them encouraging others to change their habits if that means they will improve their health and overall well-being. Millennials are also more eager to spend money on self-care and fitness, engage in regular exercises, as well as pay a premium for the healthiest foods, with wellness being a daily pursuit for them.
They have a holistic approach when it comes to food
In their search for products that deliver on their preferences, millennials are shifting away from brands and products that their parents used to buy and focusing more on purchasing food products that align with their values, and this process is made even more convenient with a seemingly endless number of choices available on the market today.
Millennials have a more holistic approach when it comes to food, which means they opt for foods that aren’t as processed and that contain whole ingredients. While they tend to aim for natural and clean foods, millennials are also OK with indulging a bit from time to time, but even then, they tend to portion-control.
They are proactive when it comes to their health
Millennials are quite proactive when it comes to preserving their health and well-being. Instead of adjusting to the situation and reacting, millennials tend to do their research beforehand, with more than half of them requesting estimates in advance.
Millennials also expect convenience when it comes to their healthcare, and they will often opt for specialists instead of primary care doctors, especially when it comes to something as delicate as their vision. With corrective vision procedures such as LASIK available to patients nowadays, achieving a better functional vision is made easier and, according to experts for LASIK eye surgery in Manhattan, learning whether this type of procedure would be right for an individual can be as easy as taking a short test. With the help of such specialists and alternative solutions, millennials are able to tackle any health problems they are dealing with, eliminating any extra steps from the process of getting the care they really need.
They make their mental health a priority
With studies and reports suggesting a significant decline in physical and mental health of millennials compared to previous generations, it comes as no surprise that an increasing number of millennials are becoming just as dedicated to their mental well-being as they are to their physical health.
The raised expectations that came with popular social media platforms don’t help either, and striving for perfectionism is further exacerbating the problem, leading to an increase in anxiety and depression among millennials. That being said, social media is slowly becoming a tool for solving the problem, with many people and even celebrities sharing their stories and opening up about their own life struggles. With stigma surrounding mental health slowly decreasing, many millennials are feeling encouraged to seek help and openly talk about their mental health issues as well as look for and receive therapies or treatments.
They prioritize stress management and quality sleep
According to American Psychological Association, this generation is experiencing higher levels of stress and anxiety than any other generation that came before them, with many millennials admitting to not being able to fall asleep due to overwhelming stress.
This, in turn, results in lowered productivity levels during the day while also taking a toll on physical and emotional health. This is why many millennials are taking the necessary steps to manage their stress levels more effectively and ensure they get enough rest each night. Some of the most effective ways to do it include creating a nighttime routine that is free from technology as well as stimulants such as coffee and energy drinks and exercising on a daily basis to spend all that extra energy.
Wrapping up
Millennials are a generation like no other, and it clearly shows in the way they approach health. They have their own priorities and values, and while they may differ from the traditional ones, we can definitely learn a thing or two from this tech-savvy, health-conscious generation.