10 reasons why American burnout is affecting young women sooner than expected

When exhaustion becomes a defining feature of young adulthood rather than a warning sign, something fundamental has shifted.

Burnout is no longer just a mid-career problem; it’s hitting young women harder and earlier than ever. Deel reports that burnout peaks around age 25 for Gen Z and millennials, nearly 17 years earlier than in previous generations. The perfect storm of work pressure, mental health strain, and an overwhelming culture of comparison is creating a recipe for early burnout, especially for young women.

From economic stress to the rise of social media comparison, burnout is now impacting younger women at an alarming rate. Here are the reasons why this is happening and what’s driving the change.

Burnout is peaking in the early 20s, not mid-career

New research suggests that burnout is peaking among young workers around age 25, about 17 years earlier than the historical norm for American employees. A global survey found that 83% of Gen Z workers felt burned out, a higher rate than any other age group. This early burnout is linked to a combination of high expectations, pressure to succeed, and mental exhaustion.

Young women report higher burnout rates than young men

While about 52% of U.S. employees report feeling burned out, women experience this much more often than men. In fact, women report burnout rates of about 59%, compared to 46% in men. This gap has only widened in recent years, with many women feeling overwhelmed by increased workloads and understaffing, creating a constant cycle of stress.

Anxiety and depression are spiking earlier for girls and young women

Mental health issues are becoming more common for young women, with nearly half of U.S. adults aged 18–24 reporting symptoms of anxiety or depression in 2023. This demographic is experiencing mental health crises at higher rates than any other age group, especially among adolescent girls. The increase in persistent sadness and hopelessness is an early warning sign that burnout is on the horizon.

Also on MSN: 8 reasons why Gen Z women are struggling with happiness

Social media is super-charging comparison, body image pressure, and exhaustion

Social media is putting intense pressure on young women. Studies show that excessive use of social media, more than three hours a day, leads to lower body esteem and increased anxiety.

When young women took a brief one-week break from social media, their self-esteem and body image improved drastically, revealing just how much constant comparison erodes mental well-being.

Economic stress and unstable work are hitting Gen Z women hard

Young women are also struggling with economic stress, which plays a huge role in their burnout. With rising living costs, increasing debt, and job instability, they are feeling overwhelmed in ways that older generations didn’t at their age.

Financial distress is exacerbating mental health problems, leading to a vicious cycle of chronic stress and burnout.

Workplaces still rely on women for emotional labor

Women are often expected to perform emotional labor at work tasks like mentoring, checking in on colleagues, and supporting team well-being on top of their primary responsibilities.

This added, invisible workload can quickly drain emotional reserves, increasing women’s risk of burnout.

Gendered expectations and work-family conflict start earlier now

Young women often experience higher burnout due to work-family conflict and gendered expectations. Women are typically expected to perform well at work while also managing caregiving responsibilities at home. This leads to role overload much earlier in life, causing significant stress and burnout.

Caregiving and “sandwich” stress are creeping into younger ages

While the “sandwich generation” was traditionally defined as people aged 35–59, younger women are increasingly taking on caregiving responsibilities for siblings, grandparents, and ill relatives.

This added responsibility, combined with work stress, is contributing to burnout. Studies show that women spend more time on caregiving than men, which is strongly linked to anxiety and depression.

Stigma and barriers make it harder for young women to get help

Despite the rising rates of anxiety and depression, young women face significant barriers to accessing mental health care. The high costs of therapy, lack of available providers, and fear of career consequences often prevent young women from seeking the help they need. As a result, burnout symptoms often intensify, leading to long-term mental health struggles.

Constant crisis culture and “always on” tech leave no recovery window

The constant digital overload and the presence of nonstop negative news from the pandemic to political turmoil and climate change have created a unique stress cocktail for Gen Z. Coupled with the fact that they’re the first generation raised on 24/7 connectivity, this “always on” culture leaves no time for recovery, exacerbating burnout in young women.

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