Why young adults feel so overwhelmed all the time

Gen Zers and millennials are feeling more overwhelmed than ever before, according to a new study.

The poll of 2,000 U.S. adults found that the average Gen Zer and millennial feels overwhelmed 17 days out of a typical month.

Over four in five feel overwhelmed by their social life (88%), digital life (83%), and even by their diet (81%).

On a social level, people find it overwhelming to maintain relationships (38%) and find time to hang out with friends (32%). Digitally, younger Americans also find staring at screens (42%) and social media (35%) to be too much.

And when it comes to their diet, they feel overwhelmed by choosing healthy foods (45%), grocery shopping (40%), properly preparing and cooking foods (33%), and reading nutrition labels (23%). 

On top of that, 65% said they feel overwhelmed by long lists of ingredients and nutrition labels.

Commissioned by Califia Farms and conducted by Talker Research, the study found more than two in three (68%) find the concept of simple, “less is more” living appealing. In fact, 61% said they’re already practicing simpler aspects of living.

They incorporate simple, “less is more” living into their daily routines (46%), in their homes (39%), in their wardrobe (32%), in their workout routines (28%), and in their diet (27%).

And as a result, they swear simpler living has led them to feel calmer (45%), relaxed (41%), refreshed (38%), and has improved their mental health (37%).

More than half (57%) have tried to make changes to simplify their life based on things they saw on social media. And for 25%, their experiments have worked.

“It’s no surprise that Gen Z and Millennials are overwhelmed with our ‘always on’ culture; there is a lot we can’t control, so people are turning to simplified routines to reclaim a sense of calm,” said Suzanne Ginestro, Chief Marketing Officer at Califia Farms. “Even something like an easy-to-understand, simple ingredient list can offer reassurance and signal that a product is better-for-you and supports a wellness-focused lifestyle. Simple living is gaining popularity because it can be both refreshing and empowering.” 

The study revealed how a simple diet is quickly becoming a main component for people’s desire to live a simpler lifestyle. One in four respondents said they follow the “less is more” concept when it comes to shopping for food.

Nearly two-thirds (64%) said they find the concept of “simple eating” attractive to them. 

A third said the term brings to mind the idea of eating meals that consist of foods that have a short list of ingredients (33%).

Additionally, 74% said ingredient simplicity is an important factor for them when choosing food and beverage products.

A large majority (78%) said they’ve made changes to their eating habits within the last year to focus on better health. They’ve either bought products that have less added sugar (36%), fewer processed foods (36%), or shorter ingredient lists (19%).

Nearly as many (74%) believe simple eating can lead them to better health, and 63% would likely change their entire shopping habits to support simple eating more often.

“A simple diet filled with whole foods and products that contain recognizable, pantry-friendly ingredients can have a profound impact by making people feel better and more aligned with their wellness goals,” continues Ginestro. “It’s a small and approachable, but powerful, way to take care of yourself every day. When people can trust what’s on their plate or in their glass, it creates a strong foundation for living well.” 

TOP THINGS GEN Z AND MILLENNIALS FIND OVERWHELMING

Choosing healthy foods – 45%

Staring at a screen for too long – 42%

Grocery shopping – 40%

Maintaining relationships – 38%

Social media – 35%

How to properly prepare or cook different foods – 33%

Finding time to hang out with friends and family – 32%

Scheduling time to hang out – 31%

Keeping in touch with friends online – 27%

Finding quality content or information online – 25%

Survey methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Gen Z and millennial Americans; the survey was commissioned by Califia Farms and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between June 13 and June 19, 2025.