Gen Z is surely having quite a difficult time. Among the several things that are said about them, words like ‘tired’ or ‘burnout’ are quite common when addressing Generation Z.
Although most of it is said as a way to mock the generation and claim that they are overly sensitive, recent data proves there’s more going on than just jokes about napping or low energy.
Surveys in India and globally reveal that over 60% of Gen Z and millennials report feeling fatigued even after a full night’s sleep, suggesting deeper issues with sleep quality, stress and mental load.
Experts aren’t dismissing this as laziness; they’re reframing the conversation around lifestyle, digital overwhelm, financial pressure, sleep disruption and psychological burnout.
Recently, a Delhi-based doctor has ignited conversation around this again when, in an Instagram video post, he explained why chronic fatigue is so common among the younger generations.
He claimed that Gen Z, as compared to previous generations, are dealing with nearly 3,000 daily micro-stresses, which don’t allow the brain to rest.
What Did The Doctor Say?
On December 3, 2025, Surgical Gastroenterology Specialist Dr Anshuman Kaushal posted a video on his Instagram page @theangry_doc, talking about how the fatigue Gen Z experiences isn’t a sign of weakness but a reflection of lifestyle and digital overload.
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In this video, he explained that “Gen Z is not lazy, but an overstimulated generation. Their brains have to deal with 3,000 micro-stressors. These include notifications, comparison culture, deadlines and the globalised version of ‘log kya kahenge’ ( what will people say).”
Basically, this means that even when they aren’t in active work or academic stress, digital stimulation from screens and social pressure leaves the nervous system charged, contributing to persistent mental fatigue, low energy and difficulty concentrating.
He argues that this daily burden of small stressors accumulates into a chronic “low battery” state.
He further added that, “Gen Z burnouts even without going to the office because their nervous system never goes into rest mode.”
Dr Kaushal also said, “Someone has anxiety, and you’re telling them to chill? This is just like telling a gallstone patient to drink some lemon water, and the stone will dissolve. Gen Z doesn’t need sympathy. Instead, they need clear boundaries, rest, and an adult who will not judge them.”
Read More: Here’s Why India Faces A Huge Number Of Urban Health Challenges
He challenged the simplistic dismissals of tiredness as laziness or fragility, noting that generational comparisons miss the real drivers of exhaustion: modern habits, technology use and constant connectedness.
Instead of judgment, young people need support, structure and healthier routines to regain balance.
Dr Kaushal stressed that the cause of fatigue isn’t simply birth year but behaviour and environment. Gen Z has grown up immersed in smartphones, social media and near-constant connectivity.
This digital exposure floods the brain with information and triggers emotional responses, from comparison to fear of missing out, which keeps sleep and relaxation elusive even when the body is physically at rest.
This is not the first time that the constant fatigue and tiredness of Gen Z have been noticed.
Research has shown that younger people are more likely to lose sleep due to worries and screen time, with Gen Z then reporting difficulty falling or staying asleep.
A 2023 Nyumi sleep survey found that more than 60% of Gen Z and millennials feel exhausted during the day after a full night’s rest. pointing to issues with sleep quality, not just duration.
The survey also found that 67% of Gen Z “expressed a strong desire for more sleep.”
Ananya Agarwal, Founder of Nyumi, said in a statement, “In a world where the importance of sleep often goes underestimated, our mission at Nyumi is to shed light on the sleep paradox affecting our younger generations.
Our recent sleep survey uncovers a deep-rooted issue where a significant portion of Gen Z and Millennials crave more sleep despite their best efforts. Many people don’t get quality sleep, impacting how they feel the next day. This drives us to keep innovating and customising solutions, like our sleep gummies, to help achieve the rest they truly deserve.”
Poor sleep quality may arise from late-night screen use, irregular sleep schedules, blue light exposure and stress about work or future prospects, all factors that can disrupt the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.
The Times of India report also highlights that Gen Z is burning out faster than any generation before, because of a combination of social, economic and work pressures. This includes job insecurity, financial stress and blurred work-life boundaries that make true rest harder to achieve.
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: Financial Express, TOI, The Economic Times
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This post is tagged under: Gen Z, Gen Z health, Gen Z tired, Gen Z fatigue, millennials, boomers, millennials boomers gen z, gen z millennials, millennial health, health
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