Why is this generation anxious? Anxiety, as depicted in the movie Inside Out, is a normal emotion. So why do we often try to fight it?

What promotes Anxiety?

It’s true that our ancestors didn’t have the same language or understanding of emotions that we do today, and many historical texts don’t explicitly discuss concepts like anxiety as we understand them now. However, this doesn’t mean that people in the past didn’t experience anxiety or similar feelings. It’s likely that they did, but their ways of describing and dealing with these emotions were different.

Historically, people may have described their emotional experiences using different terminology or may have attributed them to other causes, such as spiritual or moral issues. The lack of specific terminology in old texts doesn’t mean that the feelings themselves were any less real. Instead, cultural and historical contexts shaped how people understood and talked about their emotional experiences.

In modern times, we have developed more nuanced language and psychological frameworks to discuss and understand emotions like anxiety. This helps us to identify, communicate, and address these feelings more effectively. Yes, it can be challenging to fully understand and generalize what people felt in the past. People in the past engaged in far more physically demanding tasks. Modern lifestyles are often more sedentary, with significantly lower levels of physical activity promoting anxiety. So the safest tip to decrease anxiety is EXERCISE.

The majority of people grew up and died in only one place. Today society is very mobile and with decreased community interactions, life is inducing anxiety.

These days, it seems like everywhere you look, someone is stressed or overwhelmed by something. Work deadlines, trying to be a perfectionist, parenting pressure, social media image, kid’s performance, or even a simple social media comment can mess up your head.

If you’re seeking answers, just turn to Google—like when a simple headache leads you down a rabbit hole, convincing yourself it’s a brain tumor.We often claim to be busy, yet somehow always find the time to endlessly scroll through social media until we feel satisfied. In comparison, our ancestors might view our lives today as the realization of dreams they could hardly imagine.

Basic survival kit of food, clothing, and shelter is available still we are still finding ways to over complicate our lives. It’s true that many people look back nostalgically at their childhoods without the internet, often valuing the simplicity and direct human interactions of that time. However, it’s important to recognize that the internet, despite its challenges, has brought significant benefits and opportunities.

Today we are chasing everything. Constantly chasing validation and attention, often driven by the demands and influences of modern life and social media. This pursuit can sometimes lead to feelings of emptiness or dissatisfaction.

There are also these modern-day gurus who, for a certain fee, claim they can transform our lives—as if they have discovered the universal solution to everyone’s sadness.While the quest for solutions to personal challenges is valid, it’s essential to approach modern-day gurus with a critical mindset and seek support that aligns with your values and needs.

Treating Anxiety

Now just because our ancestors called it “life’ and went about their day, today it is important to note that anxiety disorders are real. If you’re dealing with clinical anxiety, it’s real and it’s tough and you deserve support and treatment. However, for most of us, we can manage anxiety without spending tons of money. One of the greatest advantages we have today is access to knowledge. We understand so much more about how our brains function, including the role of the chemicals that can make us feel disconnected or overwhelmed. Along with this knowledge comes an array of resources—therapists, medications, mindfulness apps, and various tools—designed to help us better manage anxiety and mental health challenges.

It is important to understand where we invest our emotional energy. Practice letting go things that are trivial which can be different for different people. Mindfulness is a powerful tool to deal with anxiety. All this isn’t easy. Understand anxiety is a feeling. Instead of trying to diminish it learn to coexist with it. The things that make you anxious are often the very things that give life meaning. Love, creativity, personal growth, and connection all require vulnerability. With that vulnerability comes the risk of failure, rejection, or disappointment.

Take what resonates, leave what doesn’t. When everyone seems to be selling something—whether it’s a lifestyle, a philosophy, or a ‘foolproof’ system for success—one should still find value in listening to someone who’s simply here to talk. No strings attached, no hidden agenda, no affiliate links.