This statistic shows the percentage of Millennials and Gen Zs in the U.S. who engaged in select activities "more than usual" when facing a challenge or stress as of 2018. It was found that 44 percent of Gen Zs and 40 percent of Millennials stated they slept in, went to bed early or napped "more than usual" when they faced a challenge or problem that made them feel stressed, anxious or sad/depressed.
Percentage of Millennials and Gen Zs in the U.S. who engaged in select activities "more than usual" when facing a challenge or stressful event as of 2018
Characteristic
Gen Z (up to 21 years)*
Millennials (22 to 37 years)
Sleep in/ go to sleep earlier/ nap
44%
40%
Listen to music
41%
36%
Lose your cool
35%
36%
Eat comfort food
30%
39%
Get in touch with/ go see sympathetic people
23%
20%
Sit and wait it out
19%
26%
Exercise
14%
20%
Drink alcohol
10%
18%
Use drugs/ use prescription meds other than prescribed
5%
6%
Smoke cigarettes
2%
10%
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Percentage of respondents40%40%36%36%36%36%39%39%20%20%26%26%20%20%18%18%6%6%10%10%44%44%41%41%35%35%30%30%23%23%19%19%14%14%10%10%5%5%2%2%Gen Z (up to 21 years)*Millennials (22 to 37 years)Sleep in/ go to sleep earlier/ napListen to musicLose your coolEat comfort foodGet in touch with/ go see sympathetic peopleSit and wait it outExerciseDrink alcoholUse drugs/ use prescription meds other than prescribedSmoke cigarettes
0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%
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Percentage of Millennials and Gen Zs in the U.S. who engaged in select activities "more than usual" when facing a challenge or stressful event as of 2018
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Original question: Again when facing challenges or problems in your life that may be stressful, anxiety-producing, or cause you to be sad/depressed, how do these challenges impact your engagement in the
following activities? More than usual, Less than usual, The same as usual, I do not engage in this activity
* Includes the leading edge of Gen-Z (18 to 21 years).
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AARP. (October 10, 2018). Percentage of Millennials and Gen Zs in the U.S. who engaged in select activities "more than usual" when facing a challenge or stressful event as of 2018 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved February 19, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/946731/common-activities-when-feeling-stressed-anxious-sad-us-millennials-genz/
AARP. "Percentage of Millennials and Gen Zs in the U.S. who engaged in select activities "more than usual" when facing a challenge or stressful event as of 2018." Chart. October 10, 2018. Statista. Accessed February 19, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/946731/common-activities-when-feeling-stressed-anxious-sad-us-millennials-genz/
AARP. (2018). Percentage of Millennials and Gen Zs in the U.S. who engaged in select activities "more than usual" when facing a challenge or stressful event as of 2018. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: February 19, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/946731/common-activities-when-feeling-stressed-anxious-sad-us-millennials-genz/
AARP. "Percentage of Millennials and Gen Zs in The U.S. Who Engaged in Select Activities "More than Usual" When Facing a Challenge or Stressful Event as of 2018." Statista, Statista Inc., 10 Oct 2018, https://www.statista.com/statistics/946731/common-activities-when-feeling-stressed-anxious-sad-us-millennials-genz/
AARP, Percentage of Millennials and Gen Zs in the U.S. who engaged in select activities "more than usual" when facing a challenge or stressful event as of 2018 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/946731/common-activities-when-feeling-stressed-anxious-sad-us-millennials-genz/ (last visited February 19, 2025)
Percentage of Millennials and Gen Zs in the U.S. who engaged in select activities "more than usual" when facing a challenge or stressful event as of 2018 [Graph], AARP, October 10, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/946731/common-activities-when-feeling-stressed-anxious-sad-us-millennials-genz/
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