Generation Z or “Zoomers” (those born between 1997 and 2002, encompassing approximately 69 million Americans), is experiencing burnout perhaps more than any other generation at a comparable age. This trend carries serious consequences for both mental and physical well-being.
Researchers define burnout as a condition resulting from prolonged exposure to acute stress. Although it is not classified as an illness, it is characterized by mental and physical exhaustion, which may have a deleterious impact on overall health. While burnout is primarily considered a work-related syndrome, work-life imbalance plays a significant role in its exacerbation, as acute stress does not simply switch off once an individual leaves the workplace.
Acting on early warning signs can prevent burnout from taking hold and help restore homeostasis and an improved sense of well-being. Four increasingly prominent feelings may signal the onset of burnout: mental exhaustion, a gradual reduction in enthusiasm for job performance, increasing irritability, and difficulty maintaining concentration.
A new tool designed to assess burnout, the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT), is currently being tested in more than 30 countries. BAT measures four key risk factors associated with burnout development: exhaustion, mental distancing, cognitive impairment, and emotional impairment.
Zoomers: The Most Burnt-Out Generation
A recent article explored why Generation Z workers are experiencing higher levels of burnout than older generations, including Generation X and Baby Boomers. A survey conducted by Talker Research of 2,000 adults examining stress and burnout has found that 25% of Americans under the age of 30 are experiencing burnout. Gen Z respondents identified work, finances, and mental health as their top three stressors.
Another survey of more than 13,000 Gen Z workers across 11 countries found that they were 83% more likely to feel burned out than older employees, of whom 75% reported burnout. Even more concerning, a study by Cigna determined that nearly 25% of individuals aged 18 to 24 were experiencing “unmanageable stress,” with 98% of those individuals reporting at least one symptom of burnout.
According to an article examining the rise of burnout among Zoomers, a major contributing factor is that many entered the workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period marked by heightened anxiety. As the authors note, “It was a time of profound upheaval, social isolation, and changing work protocols and demands.” One study found that remote work and lockdowns, which severely limited human-to-human interaction, impaired informal learning and increased the feeling of isolation and social awkwardness.
Further underscoring the scale of the issue, LIMRA’s 2024 BEAT study found that 91% of Gen Z workers are experiencing mental health challenges.
3 Supplements that Support Against Burnout
When someone feels they may be at the cusp of burnout, it is important to acknowledge it and take proactive steps to halt its progression. These steps may include talk therapy or counseling, as well as engaging in healthy habits such as exercise and limiting or eliminating both vaping and alcohol intake.
Certain supplements may also help the body restore resilience and enhance the ability to relax and sleep. Together, these benefits can help protect the health and well-being of individuals experiencing burnout, as well as those who feel they may be at risk.
1. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root: Widely regarded as a leading herbal adaptogen, ashwagandha has been studied extensively for its ability to help the body adapt to both mild and extreme stressors. Research supports its role in enhancing cognitive speed and acuity, reducing cortisol levels, supporting mood stability, reducing tension, and improving sleep quality. In a newly published study, Prolanza™, a root-only sustained release ashwagandha extract, demonstrated a reduction in stress-related behaviors in zebrafish exposed to neurotoxin benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P).
Prolanza™ is developed using Nutriventia’s pharmaceutical-grade delivery platform and has been shown to be clinically effective at both 150 mg and 300 mg once-daily doses, providing full-day support. Studies indicate benefits across stress management, mood, memory, sleep, and eating behavior.
2. Sustained-release melatonin: Immediate-release melatonin supplements tend to lose efficacy after four to five hours, which may be insufficient for sustained sleep support. Melotime™ has been shown to provide up to eight hours of sleep support without causing morning drowsiness. In a recent study, participants exhibited higher plasma concentrations of Melotime™ between four and eight hours, along with an extended half-life of 5.10 hours, compared to just 1.01 hours for immediate-release melatonin.
3. Vitamin C: Burnout is known to impair immune function, and Vitamin C plays a key role in supporting immune health through its interaction with various immune cells. Ideally, a vitamin C supplement should remain bioavailable in the body for up to 24 hours. C-Fence™ utilizes Nutriventia’s E.D.G.E. sustained-release technology to deliver consistent vitamin C absorption over a full 24-hour period.
A pharmacokinetic study demonstrated that participants who supplemented with 500 mg of Vitamin C from C-Fence reached maximum plasma levels in approximately 4.5 hours. These concentrations remained significantly higher than baseline and higher than peak placebo levels at 12-, 16-, and 24-hours post-dose.
Conclusion
While burnout can affect anyone in the workforce, older members of Generation Z who have only recently entered professional environments appear more susceptible to absorbing stressors more quickly and intensely. Supplements that support resilience, relaxation, and improved sleep may serve as a valuable component of a comprehensive approach to reducing burnout.
Reviewed by Sneha Sawant Desai, PhD
