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A Talker Research survey of 2,000 American adults, conducted online from Wednesday, Feb. 7, to Saturday, Feb. 10, reveals that the typical person hits peak burnout at 42 years old—but for younger adults, the stress is setting in much sooner.
Among Gen Z and millennial respondents (ages 18 to 44), peak stress now averages just 25 years old—nearly two decades earlier than their older counterparts.
Respondents reported that they are currently operating at about half of their total stress capacity. However, some groups are feeling it even more—42 percent say they are under greater stress than this baseline. That figure jumps to 51 percent among Gen Z and millennials, compared to 37 percent of Gen X and older generations.
When it comes to what’s causing this pressure, finances top the list, with 30 percent of respondents naming money-related worries as their biggest stressor. Other key sources of stress include:
- Politics (26 percent)
- Work (25 percent)
- Physical health (23 percent)
For some, personal relationships are also a major source of anxiety—18 percent of those who cited their love life or family as a stressor ranked it as their top concern.
Licensed clinical psychologist Ehab Youssef weighed in on why younger Americans are hitting peak stress levels earlier than previous generations.
“As a psychologist, I’ve worked with clients across different generations, and I can tell you stress doesn’t look the same for everyone,” Youssef said. “It’s fascinating—and a little concerning—to see how younger Americans are experiencing peak stress earlier than ever before. I see it in my practice all the time: twenty-somethings already feeling completely burned out, something I never used to see at that age.”
“I often hear from my younger clients, ‘Why does life feel so overwhelming already?’ They’re not just talking about work stress; they’re feeling pressure from every direction—career, finances, relationships, even social media expectations. Compare this to my older clients, who often describe their peak stress happening later in life—maybe in their 40s or 50s, when financial or family responsibilities became heavier. The shift is real, and it’s taking a toll.”
Generational Divide In Stress
The study found that different generations report different primary sources of stress.
For Gen Z and millennials, the top three stressors are:
- Work (33 percent)
- Finances (27 percent)
- Mental health (24 percent)
- For Gen X, baby boomers, and the silent generation, the top concerns shift toward:
- Politics (27 percent)
- Physical health (24 percent)
While younger Americans place less emphasis on their social lives (12 percent) and love lives (14 percent), older respondents say that work-life balance and personal growth goals are harder to maintain (13 percent each).
Outlook On Stress
A third of Americans say they are preparing for what they believe will be their most stressful year yet, predicting that 2025 will be more difficult than the past three years.
However, there’s still some optimism: 42 percent say they are more hopeful than not that the rest of this year will improve.
When asked about the long-term trend of stress, an overwhelming 83 percent of respondents believe that entering adulthood today is more difficult than it was a decade ago.
Looking forward, 72 percent predict that being an adult will only become more challenging over the next 10 years, with older generations expressing this view at an even higher rate (75 percent vs. 63 percent for younger respondents).
Managing Stress Across Generations
Therapist Rebecka Parker, MSW, LCSW, offered insights on how people of different age groups can manage stress before it becomes overwhelming.
- For Gen Z & millennials: Prioritize digital detoxes, financial literacy education, and real-life social connections.
- For Gen X & baby boomers: Focus on mindfulness practices, setting boundaries, and proactive health screenings.
- For all ages: Invest in mental health, seek therapy when needed, and build strong support networks.
As Americans continue to face new stressors in an ever-changing world, experts say that finding healthy ways to manage pressure is critical to long-term well-being.
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